What is the origin of the VW Thing?
The VW Thing, officially known as the Type 181, made its debut in the automotive market in 1968. This distinctive vehicle wasn’t a completely new concept; rather, it was a civilian reimagining of a military vehicle called the Kübelwagen, which saw extensive action during World War II. In 1969, Volkswagen introduced the Thing, a vehicle that defied conventional classification. It combined a military vehicle’s robustness with a civilian car’s charm. The Type 181 was initially designed for the German army but quickly found popularity among civilians for its rugged build and open-air driving experience.The model was dropped from the American lineup for 1975 as it failed to meet new, stricter US safety standards. The Type 181 was reclassified as a passenger vehicle, and thus subject to stricter safety standards.Before it became a Thing, however, the vehicle was called the Type 181. The multi-purpose vehicle was developed for the West German military in the late 1960s based on the Type 182 Kübelwagen used during World War II. In fall 1969, Volkswagen began selling the Type 181 in Europe.Originally developed for the West German Army, the Type 181 also entered the civilian market as the Kurierwagen (“courier car”) in West Germany, the Trekker (RHD Type 182) in the United Kingdom, the Thing in the United States and Canada (1973–74), the Safari in Mexico and South America, and Pescaccia in Italy.
Does the VW thing float?
Well, the original VW Beetle could indeed float on water for a few minutes. A commercial in 1972 explained how this is possible. To stop people from trying this at home, they added the slogan: “The VW will definitely float, but it will not float indefinitely. If you have you ever asked yourself “do Beetles float? Volkswagen Beetle would indeed float on water. However, it is certainly not recommended that you experiment with this.Well, the original VW Beetle could indeed float on water for a few minutes. A commercial in 1972 explained how this is possible. To stop people from trying this at home, they added the slogan: “The VW will definitely float, but it will not float indefinitely.
What happened to the Volkswagen Thing?
New regulations, pushed in part by Ralph Nader’s safety advocacy, led to its discontinuation in the US after the 1974 model year. The Thing was a small, open-top vehicle that didn’t meet the tougher crash protection standards. The Thing also failed US safety tests, and yeah, it’s not hard to see why. New regulations, pushed in part by Ralph Nader’s safety advocacy, led to its discontinuation in the US after the 1974 model year. The Thing was a small, open-top vehicle that didn’t meet the tougher crash protection standards.
How fast is a Volkswagen Thing?
It was built on the same chassis as the 1968 VW Microbus but had a four-wheel independent suspension. Its top speed was 68 mph, (downhill apparently), and it whizzed from zero to 60 mph in a tour-bus-like 23 seconds. This, amusingly, was its top safety feature. Specs and Features While the Thing wasn’t built for speed, with a top speed of around 68 mph, it offered a unique driving experience that was all about fun and functionality. The engine’s placement at the rear provided excellent traction, making the Thing surprisingly capable in off-road situations.