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Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:56 am

Hi, first post here in the Thing forum, I'm usually over in Bay Window. I'm considering buying a Thing that I suspect may be an Acapulco but was wondering what to look for besides the blue/white stripe paint and surrey top? Besides color and the roof, what distinguishes an Acapulco from a regular Thing? Thanks, hopefully if all goes well you'll be seeing me here more often. Thanks.

Wed Feb 18, 2015 5:42 am

running boards that thread to the lower portion of the body, is something not common to standard 181's

Wed Feb 18, 2015 6:35 am

1974, blue dash, blue licence light, could have a hardtop or folding top in off white and curtains to match and running boards mounted with allen head bolts into the rockers and hood and rockers in blue. And bumpers blue.

Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:36 am

And you'll want to verify a production date in mid (June/July?) 1974.

There are more "Acapulcos" now than were ever produced originally. Some are well-executed replicas that no one can easily tell aren't originals. Some are oddly painted or have an obvious flaw that points them as not being original (1973 car, hood not painted inside, wrong color blue, missing running boards and threaded bolt holes to attach them).

The first Acapulcos came with the surrey top and no side curtains. Later ones came with a light tan colored top and side curtains. Because they were produced 31 years ago, I wouldn't count an incorrect top or side curtains as being definitive proof, one way or the other, that a car is/is not an Acapulco model.

Because the Acapulco was only distinguished from a normal white Thing by the paint, seat covers, and running boards, it's fairly easy to make one. I don't understand why people think it's worth a premium over a regular Thing, especially when you're looking at a car that needs to be restored anyway.

Wed Feb 18, 2015 6:17 pm

CraigInPA wrote: Because they were produced 31 years ago,

That makes me 10 years younger :lol:

Thu Feb 19, 2015 7:39 am

surfarii wrote: CraigInPA wrote: Because they were produced 31 years ago,

That makes me 10 years younger :lol:

LOL. 41 years ago. 1974 seems like yesterday to me. I was in High School then.

Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:05 am

CraigInPA wrote: I don't understand why people think it's worth a premium over a regular Thing ...

I commend you for admitting you don't understand. Most people would attribute the flaw as being outside themselves.

Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:16 am

VW Thing Acapulco Roof
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/acapulco_roof.php

Thu Feb 19, 2015 7:03 pm

jjrannauro wrote:

VW Thing Acapulco Roof
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/acapulco_roof.php

Yikes! An 8 seater. Lets see 1,2,3,4 seat belts at best. Oh the good old days?

Looks like they came in another color not just blue and white.

Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:37 pm

Here is a little more info on the Acapulco and a old picture