1973 Volkswagen Thing Base 1.6l on 2040-cars
San Diego, California, United States
Body Type:U/K
Engine:1.6L 1584CC 97Cu. In. H4 GAS Naturally Aspirated
Vehicle Title:Clear
Fuel Type:GAS
For Sale By:Private Seller
Interior Color: Orange
Make: Volkswagen
Number of Cylinders: 4
Model: Thing
Trim: Base
Drive Type: U/K
Mileage: 121,000
Exterior Color: Orange
I have been told this car is a prime candidate for a tear down restore as there is minimal rust, runs great, has all the parts and is almost completely original. If you know someone that has been thinking of restoring a Thing let them know about this posting as it is tough to find one in this good of condition with all the parts and pieces.
It has always been in California. I bought this Thing from my uncle in Santa Rosa, CA about 7 years ago, it was originally sold in Berkeley, CA and original owner lived in Oakland, CA and has been in San Diego for the last 7 years. I painted the outside and put a new top on it about 5 years ago. It has never been in an accident and has minimal rust. It has has been my surf car and treated me well, but I have children now and don't have time to drive it anymore. I have the pink slip and it is currently registered. The car gets a lot of attention, thumbs up, "nice Thing" etc. Before kids my wife and I and another couple would get in with four surfboards piled up in the back seat behind the driver and cruise the beaches looking for surf. With four doors it is very roomy and comfortable fitting five people in for sight seeing or a trip to get a bite to eat.
My uncle got new side curtains which are in good condition, put in a new gas tank and fuel lines and had some suspension work done so it drives great. At 70 mph you can take your hand off the wheel and it drives straight. I just had the heater worked on and it works well, (but take that fuse out when not driving as it draws on the battery all the time for some reason). The brakes are in great condition.
Right away it needs tires, they have plenty of tread but are old and recommend you get new ones before it gets driven very far. It runs great and I would drive it anywhere. The steering box is worn and loose as it has been ever since I bought the car. I am used to it and comfortable driving it how it is but it is ready to be replaced, CV joints are good but boots are cracked, leaks oil from the tubes under the engine as the seals are old. Rusted under the battery and needs a plate welded in but the pan is good other than that.
The pictures are meant to show you it has not been in an accident and has just surface rust. For that reason I took close ups of the worst spots so you know what you are getting into. It has sat on the street the last few years and the right side was on the downhill so if there was water to sit, it sat on the right side so it is "worst", not that it is that bad. The worst rust is under the rear door, see minimal rust on windshield and left side is not as bad as the right, front left has a small crease where someone gently bumped into me when parking. The unidentifiable picture is under the front so you can see there is just surface rust there. It is a great car that starts up every time perfectly, (the technique is to pump the gas twice and as you turn the key press on the gas and it fires up right away every time, even if it has been siting a couple of weeks).
Seats are fair, small tears in the passenger seat, back seat has wax from surf borads on it that disclored it but maybe you are better at cleaning them than I am. Only one sun visor is on the car but I have the other one, (neither are in very good shape). All doors open and close well. The air hose coming out of the top of the engine has tape on it and has ever since I got it.
I have the original owners manual, a parts manual, a service manual and some original marketing material.
You will need to figure out transportation. I drilled holes in the front bumper and bolted a tow bar on to tow it from Santa Rosa when I bought it but I do not have a truck anymore. If you are close to San Diego I can drive it to you. Call me if you have questions 8am to 6pm California time.
$500.00 deposit required within 24 hours of winning the bid and the rest within 7 days. Cash or PayPal only.
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