1973 VW Thing test drive at Laguna Classic Cars, Laguna Beach, Ca

This VW Thing was purchase new by the consignor in 1973 at Mohave VW, Kingman Arizona and he has cared for it ever since. The consignor commissioned a complete restoration by well known specialist Greg and Arta Melikyn which included a complete respray in Viper Yellow, installation of a custom roll cage, custom 20 gallon fuel tank, updated 2276 CC engine with dual carburetors, rebuilt transmission with 3.88 final gear, front disc brakes, Alpine sound system with CD and booster, custom bumpers, custom glass windows, custom dash and gauges, and new seats.
Here is the owner's notes to me:

"1973 Volkswagen Type 181
(The Thing) VIN# xxxxx3264

History July 9, 1973 to May 2021:
I am the original owner offering this 1973 Volkswagen Thing for sale. I purchased the car in Kingman Arizona on
July 9, 1973. I saw The Thing on the Volkswagen dealer’s lot when it was being unloaded at the dealer’s lot. I bought
it the next day. The advertised VW purchase price for the car as $2,275. I paid $2,750 with transportation and dealer
markups. It was my daily driver for many years in its stock configuration.
I started customizing the car in 1990 and continued through 2006. After 2006 the car has been maintained as a
collector car -- low milage and fun driving with routine maintenance. The car has been kept and driven exclusively in
Arizona and California.
Most of the significant custom features are listed below:
Engine
 Displacement -- 2300 cc
 Dual 44 mm IDF Webers
 Fully ported and polished heads (Competition Engineering)
 Pistons and Cylinders – 94 mm MAHLE, Deves rings, Engle H Beam rods; crank – BugPack 82 mm
forged & counterweighted
 Auxiliary Oil Sump and KimCo electric forced air oil cooler
 Lightened flywheel 13 pounds/balanced
 Prototype A-1 high performance exhaust system 1.5-inch tubing with ceramic coating
Transmission / Fuel
 Phoenix main-shaft gear set & McKensie Superdiff
 Kennedy 1700 lbs. heavy duty clutch
 Berg Shifter
 Customized fuel tank – allows estimated 20+ gallons capacity; electric fuel pump – constant fuel pressure to
carbs
Suspension / Tires Wheels
 Frame lifted about 3 inches (front beam cut and locked up; rear torsion bar raised; Bilstein gas shocks; front
end skid plate
 Centerline wheels – Front 15x4x2-3/8; Rear 15x6x3-3/16 (highway tires currently on car) Off-road tires
used in past: Bridgestone Front P215/75R15; Rear 30x9.50R15LT
Body and Interior
 Color – Dodge Viper Yellow, black powder coat trim
 Robins top & Trim Shop glass windows (front with slides)
 Beard front bucket seats & matched back seat cushions – Simpson 4-point safety belts
 Interior carpet trim set to match color scheme
 Custom front and rear tube bumpers with rear hitch for towing
 Custom high carbon steel roll bar
 Wider rear fiber glass fenders to allow wider off-road tires (see above)
 Custom VDO tach, oil pressure and temperature gauges
 Four-speaker Alpine sound system
 Spare tire mount behind rear seat (removable as needed)

This car is completely sorted and turn key and comes with the original owner's manuals and receipts for the work completed.
Clear California title, smog exempt.

Low rate financing is available with rates as low as 3.5% APR with approved credit. You can apply directly on our website (www.lagunaclassiccars.com) by clicking on the "Financing" tab.
We can also arrange delivery to almost anywhere.

We are always looking to consign and buy classic cars, muscle cars, and European sports cars.
Our consignment program is simple: no cost to you if it doesn't sell, 93% sell rate.