This 1974 Volkswagen Thing is powered by an air-cooled 2,007cc flat-four that utilizes an aftermarket engine case modified for a full-flow oiling system and fitted with a 78mm crankshaft, 90.5 mm pistons and cylinders, an Engle camshaft, dual Weber carburetors, a Bosch 009 points-type distributor, high-flow heater boxes, and a modified A-1 Sidewinder exhaust system. It was acquired by the current owner out of Oregon and brought to California where it received over $40k in service before spending approximately a year in Hawaii. Additional details include 15″ aftermarket steel wheels, BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, drum brakes, a four-speed manual transaxle, a chromoly lightweight flywheel, a 1700-lb pressure plate, and a 200mm clutch disc in addition to a hood rack, running boards, a receiver hitch, a fold-down windshield, removable doors, perforated rubber floor mats, duckboards, a Custom AutoSound head unit, and Memphis Audio speakers. This Type 181 is now offered on behalf of the current owner at no reserve in California with service records and a clean Hawaii title.
The body is finished in beige with a black convertible soft top and removable side curtains. Exterior details include a hood rack, running boards, and a receiver hitch in addition to a fold-down windshield, fender-mounted turn signals, and removable doors. The tires rub the front fenders under hard braking.
Aftermarket 15″ steel wheels have been powder-coated black and are mounted with 215/75 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. The brake drums were machined and the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses, shoes, and wheel bearings were replaced in February 2023.
The front bucket seats and folding rear seats are trimmed in black vinyl upholstery. Interior elements include perforated rubber floor mats, duckboards, lap belts, and cupholders mounted to the ashtray receptacle. The audio system is reported to consist of a Custom AutoSound head unit linked to Memphis Audio speakers.
The four-spoke steering wheel has been wrapped in leather and frames a 100-mph speedometer with an inset fuel-level gauge, while readouts for oil pressure and temperature are housed in a custom-fabricated pod in the center of the dashboard. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 54k miles, approximately 1k of which have been added under current ownership.
The air-cooled 2007cc flat-four was built by Wolfgang International in November 2021 using a replacement aftermarket magnesium engine case modified for a full-flow oiling system and clearanced for a 78mm stroker crankshaft. Additional engine details include 90.5mm pistons and cylinders, EMPI GTV-2 40×35.5 cylinder heads, an Engle W110 camshaft, a Bosch 009 points-type distributor, and dual Weber 40 IDF carburetors. In February 2023 the engine was removed and steam cleaned, the tins were powder-coated, the carburetor linkage was modified, and the oil cooler was replaced. Additional work performed at that time included installing a battery tender and adjusting the valves. Photos of engine compression readings are displayed in the gallery.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transaxle with a chromoly lightweight flywheel, a 1700-lb pressure plate, and a 200mm clutch disc. The gear oil was replaced in February 2023 along with the installation of high-flow heater boxes and modification of the A-1 Sidewinder exhaust system.