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What is a Thing? Volkswagen's attempt at a Jeep? A 4-door convertible sedan? Whatever it is, the name is appropriate, and this 1973 Volkswagen Thing is one of the very best we've seen. With just 92 miles on a frame-off restoration, it's far, far cleaner than the beat-up one your weird neighbor used to have and you'll probably discover that with the passage of time, the Thing has become an icon in its own right.
It's pretty rare to see one of these restored to this level despite being incredibly rare today. Volkswagen only built 25 Model 795 Things in 1973 and 1974, so finding one today is none too easy. This one was fully restored by Larry Dustmann of The Thing Shop and just about every single part has either been restored or replaced, making this quite likely the finest Thing you'll find anywhere. Finished in 2007, it remains in fantastic condition, and that comes from starting with good base stock: a car with only 7000 miles before the build started. Yes, you read that right; they started with a 7000-mile California car and then gave it a nut-and-bolt restoration. The paint is beautiful two-stage urethane called Jet-Glo Orange and it is just about the most perfect Thing color you can imagine. All the various angles and reinforcing ribs are plainly visible here, which is probably why Things are so endearing. How could you not love something that lives so far outside the norm? Its angular body is almost like the anti-Beetle or something. However you want to define it, you'll quickly realize that you've never seen one this nice, and probably never will again.
It's cool inside, too, with a freshly upholstered interior featuring tan buckets up front and a split folding bench in back. The funkiness continues with wooden floor slats for mats, a roll cage over the rear compartment for safety, and compartments built right into the doors. A fat leather-wrapped steering wheel is easy to grab and if you've ever driven a Beetle, you'll feel right at home after you see the single round instrument pod with speedometer and built-in fuel gauge. The same vague 4-speed shifter is between the seats, and the driving position offers great sight-lines and a commanding view. There is no radio (why bother) but you do get a full folding top and side curtains that all fit remarkably well and give the Thing a trim appearance when the weather turns foul. Those side curtains stow easily in a pair of fleece-lined bags. The forward-mounted trunk is functional, too, with a full-sized spare and jack assembly, plus a correct tool kit.
The familiar 1600 cc flat-four engine does a great job here, moving the Thing with gusto and that famous VW sound. It was ensured that the engine and transmission mechanical abilities echoed that of the cosmetic restoration which is why this vehicle runs and drives so wonderfully. Service access is great in the larger Thing's engine bay and there are no deviations from stock, including the Bosch coil and heater ducts. The low mileage shows everywhere you look and the quality of the restoration is impossible to ignore. Underneath, the frame was powdercoated for durability, then lined with spray-on bedliner material to control noise and all of the components here are new, too. The dual exhaust sounds great, the 4-speed manual transmission has well-spaced gears, and the brakes are perfectly adequate for the Thing's performance and weight. And to their credit, they resisted the urge to upgrade the rolling stock, choosing stock steel wheels and hubcaps and wrapping them in 195/70/14 blackwall radials.
You don't see many of these for sale for a reason, and if you want what is quite likely the finest VW Thing in the world, you've just found it. Shockingly affordable, it's a unique kind of fun that only the VW faithful will fully understand. Call today!