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tallman206 Samba Member

Joined: January 06, 2006 Posts: 316 Location: St.Petersburg Florida USA
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:40 am Post subject: |
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Think about it . . .
What made vehicles like this popular?
The Willy's Jeep was probably the first of this genre.
It was a military designed vehicle, that once the war was over, the soldiers that became so familiar with them wanted one in civilian life for their ruggedness and unique unusual style that flies in the face of the conventional auto maker styling.
I am sure that many of the original kubelwagens found civilian use after the war, although they were never manufactured to be transitioned into the civilian market.
There were many other trucks (Dodge Power Wagons, Duece and an half, etc, that were surplused after the war that became fond friends of collectors of unique vehicles - many saw years of durable service as work vehicles on farms, construction, etc.
The Type 181 was probably next, as it was originally produced as an interim 'jeep' solution for NATO in 1969. The Mexican Thing was a result of taking that design to production in another country for other uses - police vehicles, resort vehicles, etc. When the dune-buggy crazy Californians caught wind of that, they wanted it for the USA.
Mercedes Unimog trucks and Pinzgauer utility vehicles have transitioned out of military service into various civilian applications, although not so popular here.
The Hummer is probably the most recent military to civilian 'sucess'' story, although the Hummers that are on the streets today bear little resemblance to their military cousins.
My point is, these vehicles were designed primarily as military or industrial vehicles first, and then were adapted to civilian applications by unique vehicle lovers such as us. I don't think you would be very sucessful designing a ground-up vehicle for civilian applications.
What you should do is figure out which lighweight military vehicles are being deployed today around the world and figure out how to transition one of these into the civilian market, like Arnold did.
We don't need any more Hummers on the road, but perhaps there are some other designs in Europe or around the world that would be good models to adapt. I personally would like to have a Porsche Jagdewagen, which was Porsche's early entry (1957) into the military vehicle market. Or perhaps a VW Iltis as indicated in earlier posts.
Remember, they were all military vehicles first, and the most popular or flexible ones have become our toys today!
Jerry |
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Chad1376 Samba Member

Joined: January 29, 2005 Posts: 1435 Location: Henderson, Nevada
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:14 am Post subject: |
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I think a re-release of a bare-bones utility/off road vehicle like the Thing would be a flop. There would certainly me a niche market, but I think to most Americans, a utility off road vechicle is one of two things:
1) A cross between a bloated minivan and a station wagon that will never see dirt. It has to have heated leather seats, premium stereo, DVD player, i-pod jack and back-up camera so you won't back into someone at the mall.
2) A display of manly one-upsmanship, with a bigger diesel engine than the neighbor's truck, 6' lift, unstreetable mud tires, and dual resevoir shocks (again, most likely won't see dirt). _________________ My never ending 1302 Autocross Project:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&a...02b8f83f22 |
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Captain Spalding Samba Member

Joined: February 19, 2005 Posts: 2519 Location: . . . in denial.
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Chad1376 wrote: |
1) A cross between a bloated minivan and a station wagon that will never see dirt. It has to have heated leather seats, premium stereo, DVD player, i-pod jack and back-up camera so you won't back into someone at the mall.
2) A display of manly one-upsmanship, with a bigger diesel engine than the neighbor's truck, 6' lift, unstreetable mud tires, and dual resevoir shocks (again, most likely won't see dirt). |
The sport-ute driver is not solely responsible for the endemic wussification you describe. Over the years, due to mainly to gentrification, environmentalism, and big agriculture, the habitat for off-road vehicles is shrinking. More and more, off-roading is confined to so-called OHV's - little more than a theme park for cars. There are fewer and fewer places where one is allowed to drive a car where aggressive tires and ground clearance are necessary. |
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Dobie Dude Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2008 Posts: 56 Location: 33950
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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What the heck put me down I'll take one as long as they don't sissify it too much. That is what I like, I guess I don't know any better. _________________ "Of all the things I have lost I miss my mind the most" |
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Fernao Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2009 Posts: 2
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Chad1376 wrote: |
I think a re-release of a bare-bones utility/off road vehicle like the Thing would be a flop. There would certainly me a niche market, but I think to most Americans, a utility off road vechicle is one of two things:
1) A cross between a bloated minivan and a station wagon that will never see dirt. It has to have heated leather seats, premium stereo, DVD player, i-pod jack and back-up camera so you won't back into someone at the mall.
2) A display of manly one-upsmanship, with a bigger diesel engine than the neighbor's truck, 6' lift, unstreetable mud tires, and dual resevoir shocks (again, most likely won't see dirt). |
Chad:
I am sad to say this, but your are right.
Fernao |
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Ferretkona Samba Member

Joined: December 03, 2005 Posts: 1306 Location: Columbia, CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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There is a cool air cooled 4by4, they even make a 6by6: the Pinzgauer
_________________ 74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6 |
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Chad1376 Samba Member

Joined: January 29, 2005 Posts: 1435 Location: Henderson, Nevada
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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ooo, don't do that to me! I want a Pinz so bad, I might sell one of my kids to get one.
Availability of parts is what is really holding me back....That and they are only good for 45 mph on the highway. Think how many bags of groceries I could bring home in this:
Link
_________________ My never ending 1302 Autocross Project:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&a...02b8f83f22 |
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Ferretkona Samba Member

Joined: December 03, 2005 Posts: 1306 Location: Columbia, CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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There is a shop in Big Bear that sells them and services them. I drool every time I pass them. _________________ 74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6 |
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Buckly Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2004 Posts: 1030 Location: Spokane, WA
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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I am a full time VW audi tech. I'm thinking a smaller sized ( the size of the pontiac vibe which comes in a all wheel drive.), almost a car but just a little more, all wheel drive with different packages, based on the current VW Audi technology, which I think is great, easy to diagnose and repair, parts aren't to spendy, VW Thing sport utility vehicle.
I have lots of new beetle customers, They love their new beetle for what it is. But the other VW owners range in reasons for driving a VW or audi from tuning to gas milage? And what about the Tourage, seems to be going over well, I want one. _________________ Cool runnins,
_______________________
Bucky |
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yellow73kubel Samba Member

Joined: August 17, 2008 Posts: 789 Location: Columbia, SC
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Buckly wrote: |
I am a full time VW audi tech. I'm thinking a smaller sized ( the size of the pontiac vibe which comes in a all wheel drive.), almost a car but just a little more, all wheel drive with different packages, based on the current VW Audi technology, which I think is great, easy to diagnose and repair, parts aren't to spendy, VW Thing sport utility vehicle. |
That idea is somewhat close to the 183 Iltis. It is certainly not a typical SUV, but Audi Quattro drivetrain, VW diesel waterpumper, simple, tough, and ready to go anywhere. One of those with a refitted body and interior might fit the bill (not for me, I like military vehicles).
The Thing design has some potential in today's market, but as others have said, only as a niche vehicle. The average driver would want a whole lot more comfort than it offers, so a remake would be very watered down. I guess it would go over just like it did in 1973-1974. Most people think they're cool, a few love them (the drivers), and everyone else hates the car.
By the way, Buckly, love the signature quote.  |
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FlowerPowered Samba Member

Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 389 Location: Montana
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:42 am Post subject: Resurrected Thing |
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Take the same basic "spartan" body, make it a rear engine gas/electric hybrid, give it airbags, front end crumple zones, shock absorbing bumpers, 3 point seat belts, and a properly engineered roll cage, and it just might make past the EPA/DOT. |
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Emeritusx Samba Member

Joined: June 20, 2008 Posts: 2775 Location: 12 inches behind the wheel
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:07 am Post subject: |
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I would say they are two uckin' fugly, but then I see one of those box hondas...
But in reality... Never in a million years will something like this grace the streets new off the show room floor (imho) _________________ 82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠ |
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Van-go108 Samba Member

Joined: November 23, 2006 Posts: 2995 Location: Southwestern, NM
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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Bump!?
Look what I found. Gawd, I hope not.
http://autotopic.de/erlkoenige.html
"Der letzte Kübel wurde bis 1980 als VW Typ 181 Kurierwagen in Mexiko (Puebla) hergestellt und nach Deutschland importiert. Nach insgesammt 140.768 Fahrzeuge wurde diese Modell von VW Iltis abgelöst. So könnte ein Nachfolger aussehen."
Translation anyone? _________________ "Okay, so there's 6 beers and 5 of us. You know what this means don't you? 4 of you are going to have to leave."
1973 Thing
1957 Continental Mark II Click to view image |
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Semper_Dad Samba Member

Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3534 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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Van-go108 wrote: |
Bump!?
Look what I found. Gawd, I hope not.
http://autotopic.de/erlkoenige.html
"Der letzte Kübel wurde bis 1980 als VW Typ 181 Kurierwagen in Mexiko (Puebla) hergestellt und nach Deutschland importiert. Nach insgesammt 140.768 Fahrzeuge wurde diese Modell von VW Iltis abgelöst. So könnte ein Nachfolger aussehen."
Translation anyone? |
Babelfish Says:
The last "excavator bucket" was manufactured until 1980 as VOLKSWAGEN type 181 courier cars in Mexico (Puebla) and imported to Germany. After 140,768 vehicles this model insgesammt(???) from VOLKSWAGEN Iltis was replaced. So a successor could look.
(You get the jist)
My Notes:
Looks a bit Amphibian.
The "New Beetle" started out as a "design exercise"
Needs a rollbar and softtop
And just when you thought it was funny watching us "old guys" climbing in and out of our original 181s. This one would give the younger pups a hard time _________________ Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
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Doc*181 Samba Member

Joined: December 09, 2003 Posts: 479 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Van-go108 wrote: |
"Der letzte Kübel wurde bis 1980 als VW Typ 181 Kurierwagen in Mexiko (Puebla) hergestellt und nach Deutschland importiert. Nach insgesammt 140.768 Fahrzeuge wurde diese Modell von VW Iltis abgelöst. So könnte ein Nachfolger aussehen."
Translation anyone? |
The last Kubels were made upon 1980 as VW type 181 Kurierwagen (Courier car) in Mexico and imported to Germany. After a total of 140.768 cars made, this model was replaced by the VW Iltis. A next generation could look like this. _________________ Thing stuff:
http://vw181.skynetblogs.be/ |
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Semper_Dad Samba Member

Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3534 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Doc*181 wrote: |
The last Kubels were made upon 1980 as VW type 181 Kurierwagen (Courier car) in Mexico and imported to Germany. After a total of 140.768 cars made, this model was replaced by the VW Iltis. A next generation could look like this.[/i] |
Danke _________________ Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
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Lettuce Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2009 Posts: 749 Location: Socal
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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not sure what to think of that one. Its ugly, but not in a good way. Here it is with some flaws corrected.
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Van-go108 Samba Member

Joined: November 23, 2006 Posts: 2995 Location: Southwestern, NM
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Bravo
Now lose some of that pointy snout. _________________ "Okay, so there's 6 beers and 5 of us. You know what this means don't you? 4 of you are going to have to leave."
1973 Thing
1957 Continental Mark II Click to view image |
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Van-go108 Samba Member

Joined: November 23, 2006 Posts: 2995 Location: Southwestern, NM
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Semper_Dad Samba Member

Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3534 Location: Indiana
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