Volkswagen Acapulco Thing
05-18-20, 04:23 PM
#1
Volkswagen Acapulco Thing
Thought this was unique. Only made in 1974
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The Acapulco Thing was built from May to July 1974 only. All were white with blue accents on the front hood, the rocker panels, the bumpers and the dashboard. The seats were upholstered in a blue-and-white striped fabric, and the same fabric was used for the standard surrey top that was stretched over a metal tube frame. That canvas top, sadly, is missing from this example, with the optional fiberglass hardtop fitted in its place. Removable doors and a fold-down windshield added to the beachy feel. All Things were rear-wheel-drive, although their 8.1 inches of ground clearance provided a modicum of off-pavement capability. Like its siblings, the Acapulco Thing was powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled 1600cc engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission.
05-19-20, 06:41 AM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Thanks for posting. I remember the original VW Thing quite well, but not this customized version of it.
For those who are not aware of it, the official designation of the Thing is the VW Type 181/182 (depending on the market). Like the original Jeep and Hummer H1, it was originally developed as a military vehicle, for the West German Army.
For those who are not aware of it, the official designation of the Thing is the VW Type 181/182 (depending on the market). Like the original Jeep and Hummer H1, it was originally developed as a military vehicle, for the West German Army.
05-20-20, 08:15 AM
#3
05-20-20, 10:56 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Even WITH the tubes, the heating/defrosting from that small air-cooled power plant was usually a joke. You had to drive a hundred miles (I'm being facetious) in the winter to get any heat from the system, and then, if the exhaust system was not sealed up 100% perfect, there was always the chance of carbon monoxide fumes being mixed in with it. I knew people who traded off air-cooled VWs for that very reason.
05-22-20, 08:52 AM
#6
Even WITH the tubes, the heating/defrosting from that small air-cooled power plant was usually a joke. You had to drive a hundred miles (I'm being facetious) in the winter to get any heat from the system, and then, if the exhaust system was not sealed up 100% perfect, there was always the chance of carbon monoxide fumes being mixed in with it. I knew people who traded off air-cooled VWs for that very reason.
Then there was the windshield washer that was driven by air pressure from the spare tire.
I loved my Ghia and my Bus, but I was happy when I could afford a modern car with luxuries like heat and defrost, not to mention AC.
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