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The VW Thing used the Beetle's platform. yellow car image by JoLin from Fotolia.com In 1969, Volkswagen began production on a small, military-style vehicle known in the U.. as The Thing. The Thing continued to be sold until 1983 although sales to civilians stopped in 1980. The genus of The Thing was a four-wheel drive car used by the German military called the Kubelwagen. The Thing has several names. In the United Kingdom, it was called The Trekker, and it was also known as The Type 181. The 1974 model-year was the second year the Thing was sold in the U.S.
Body
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The Thing used parts from both the enormously popular Beetle and the VW Karmann Ghia. The Thing was built using the same chassis as the VW Microbus prior to 1968. It was also based on the same platform as the Beetle. The Thing is lighter than many cars, with a curb weight of 2,006 pounds. The interior is quite spartan, with only a speedometer and glove compartment without a door. The interior has no carpeting and can simply be hosed out for cleaning.
Engine
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Like the Beetle, The Thing's engine is located in the rear rather than the front. The car has rear-wheel drive. The engine is an air-cooled, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, with 46 horsepower and 70 foot-pounds of torque. The 1974 Thing can reach a top speed of roughly 70 miles per hour. The engine has a compression ratio of 7.3:1 and a horsepower to weight ratio of 43.6. pounds.
Oddities
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The Thing sold not because it could go fast or had a beautiful body design, but mostly because it was just so strange. The body was squarish and utilitarian, but undeniably unique for a passenger car. The Thing's windshield can be folded. The car's four doors can be removed easily, requiring no special tools. All Things came standard with a convertible top; a fiberglass hard top was also an option. Another option was a gas-fueled heater hooked directly onto the car's fuel tank.
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