Auto Stick

[kimbill]

Were auto stick transmissions ever available on Things?


Bill

[bmwloco]

From VW?

No.

But that's not to say someone didn't install one at one time or another.

[c.davis419]

Thank God, no!
_________________
1967 beetle
1974 Thing

[Towel Rail]

If you really want one, I'd recommend finding an AS Ghia and doing a pan swap.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

[kimbill]

[markie61]

[Towel Rail]

[Ian Epperson]

When we were dating, my wife learned to drive a stick with my Thing. (get that mind out of the gutter! ) The nice thing about learning the clutch on an old aircooled VW is that it's easy to replace the clutch plate afterwards.

[c.davis419]

I suppose you could retrofit a full automatic drivetrain from a Type 3 as well, but I'm sure that would take some crafty workmanship.
_________________
1967 beetle
1974 Thing

[bmwloco]

I waited until 40 to wed. I woke up at 15 and thought "why bother before then".

Over the years I was picky. I knew "she" had to be able to drive a stick and ride a motorcycle.

I scored on both counts.

[lowsquare]

Did they have automatics 52 years ago
_________________
PRAISE THE LOWERED.
1973 THING

[markie61]

[bciesq]

[Towel Rail]

[Thingggg]

Folks, you don't understand .....My bride of 52 years says I can buy one after her new kitchen, but it must be an automatic so she can enjoy it too! What would you do?

Tell her to stay in the Kitchen

seriously do you know an autostick is really not an automatic. It would make a doggy care, (Thing), REALLY doggy. They were popular in Ghias because the car is very light. I have the Ghia and my wife loves it and so do I. You don't have to move the stick it from high to low because the car is so light.

So I would consider a convertible autostick Ghia.

[Towel Rail]

My mom and sister both enjoy driving stick. And my brother's girlfriend sought out one when buying her first car. Therefore, I submit that not only can females drive stick, but they also enjoy having more control over their cars.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

[howiesfamily]

I bought my wife her first car while we were dating. It was a 70 Beetle vert. Then I had to teach her how to drive a stick. She loved it. The only problem she ever had was when the battery went dead once. I was at work so she called my brother to help her push start it..... with a Ford F-150. It caved in the decklid. It didn't occur to them that the car was on a flat surface and a 5 year old could push it
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member of: Fort Worth Aircoolers Gang

[oasis]

I knew a fellow swimmer who was in an accident and could no longer handle a stick. He owned a Thing and didn't want to give it up. So he converted it to an autostick. (I think he did the Ghia pan swap, too, but this was back in '98 so I am not sure of the details.)

I drove it with its 1776 after the conversion and it was quite nice in traffic. Then, he took me offroading ... and I do mean offroading. He was nuts. But we never got stuck. He said at the time between the Thing's general lightness and the real low gear, he hadn't gotten stuck anywhere -- even places heavier 4x4 Jeeps would have. And I believe him.

I may never own one but it cured me of poo-poohing the autostick.
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[norcalmike]

[weisswurst]