Restoration of VW Thing 181

[bravo122]

ok here we go cars history
this THING was being scraped by my friend but i was able to persuade him not to.
The car stayed there still at the same place where it was parked 10 to 12years YES 10 to 12 years out side in rain and heat.it was in perfect condition when it was parked.
l had a deal with the guy and after a huge debate(fight) i was able to get the car out of the mechanics hand where car was parked.
pics on page 2

[img]http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/d-i-y-projects/185901-__-restoration-vw-thing[/img]

[bravo122]

now the question

my vw is 181 while it is right hand drive i thought all 181 were lefthand
there is no sign of any alteration

[Semper_Dad]

[joescoolcustoms]

Wow! That Thing was close to the grave.

What do the dual gauges read in the dash? All Things I have seen only have 1 gauge in the pod, and not behind glass/plastic. Looks like the engine is a single port engine.
_________________
The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

Member of Wagenfolks
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/870707.jpg
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479740

[Semper_Dad]

[bravo122]

but the thing is on my vw beside vin number it is written it is vw 181 but it is right hand drive how come?
if it is 181 it should be left hand drive
whole project will cost be about 3000 to 4000$ and if i get the topnotch work 5000 to 6000max as labour here is preety cheap

[unterkafer]

yes, a right hand drive 181. On mine the build plate says 'Tipo 181' 'Hecho en Mexico', the Chassis number starts with 186, and it is a factory right hand drive.
Call it what you want.

[DougD]

Man I wish I could restore my car for 100,000 rupees!

[Semper_Dad]

[///Mink]

[DougD]

What you dont think thats a stock setup Mink?

[bravo122]

@mink
i meant it had no alteration of the staring column

and it is 1971 model

[bravo122]

[Semper_Dad]

[herewego]

Looks like it was a pretty elaborate, non-stock center console setup as well, extending down from the dash panel to between the seats.

[///Mink]

[Semper_Dad]

Wheel looks similar to this one. Intrument panel is from something else.



God knows where that center console came from.
_________________
74 VW Thing - Walküre
78 GMC Motorhome - Valhalla
"Patina" my ass, that's rust
Recovering Split Bus Addict
Washington State 181 (Thing) Registry - current tally: 58
World 181 Registry Map: http://www.zeemaps.com/394427 Gitm registared boys!
Officially, there are only 98 181s in the world

[unterkafer]

obviously the steering wheel, upper column, dash etc are heavily modified.

But the proof will be found in the location where the lower steering column goes through the front lower bulkhead, has the left side been patched and a new penetration through the bulkhead? and whether the (original) steering box locating tabs are welded on the front beam on the right hand side or the left hand side.

I thought the penetrations in the tunnel for the brake,clutch, accelerator pedal cluster might have been an indicator as well, but (on mine at least) the clever Volkswagen people made it symmetrical didn't they...

[bravo122]

Stealing column was changed by previous owner to make it power steering and also the dash board ,speedometer and the interior was also replaced because of non avablity of parts.but it was genuine right hand drive

Today I removed the tank and there was no evident sign of patching the vw to convert it from left to right hand altought I very bad job done by previous owner while replacing stearing with Toyota one.

I also asked a vw expert to check my THING he told me that my vw was one if the few vw 181 which were right hand drive and were launched before greeting the name 182 and the car is 1971 model which makes it more unique and it still has the genuine engine which is not opend yet it's seals are still intact.

And also can u guide me that will beetle tank fit this as mine is heavily rusted and it is not available

[Semper_Dad]