My brother, The Beetle Fan, asked me to do some writing for him on the Classic Beetle. Unfortunately for him, I’m a Thing Fan. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Beetle, but the Thing is what does it for me.
The VW Thing was built in Germany (obviously) during WWII, but was stopped after the war. In the 1960′s, the German military wanted a light duty vehicle, and from that came Type 181 Kubelwagen. It started production in 1969, and moved to Mexico in 1973, the same year it was marketed as the Thing in North America. Production stopped in 1980.
It’s not powerful and fast, it’s not really that great for off-road use, but it sure looks cool. My favorite Thing that I’ve ever seen is already here on The Classic Beetle on the post about the pictures we took at the Mid America VW Funfest
I just found a company in Vancouver, Canada that is actually making new Kubelwagens, or Things if you prefer. Intermeccanica Custom Coach Builders is also making new 1959 Porsche Roadsters, ’55 Speedsters, ’58 Speedsters, and other custom order vehicles.
I gotta get me one of those.
I’m curious where this Thing is located. I love the licence plate…CMYTHING
Can you help?
i think that the older beetles are better than the vw thing. I dont know why but i have wanted a old rear engin vw beetle since i first saw one. I have looked on so many websites for a all original beetle. i do love the thing and have wanted one for a while , i justlove all old volkswagons.