Volkswagen Thing

The Volkswagen Thing, known officially as the Type 181, began as a light military vehicle for the West German Army in the late 1960s. It was a modern evolution of the wartime Kübelwagen, built on a modified Beetle and Karmann Ghia platform. Civilian sales followed, and it was officially imported to the United States for only two model years, 1973 and 1974, before new safety standards ended its run.

Collectors are drawn to the Thing's extreme simplicity and utilitarian charm. With its removable doors, folding soft top, and fold-down windshield, it offers a uniquely open-air experience. It shares its simple air-cooled powertrain and many mechanical parts with the VW Beetle, making it easy and affordable to maintain. It's a fun, quirky classic that stands out from everything else on the road.

The market for the Thing is surprisingly strong, reflecting its cult status and the limited number of US-spec examples. While you can find project cars for under $10,000, restored and low-mileage examples regularly sell for $30,000 to $40,000. Top-tier restorations have even surpassed the $50,000 mark, showing sustained demand for the best examples.

Prices range from $6,500 for projects to over $52,000 for perfectly restored examples.