TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:40 pm

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zXzSdgg2GUzaWKZ26
Do these look factory for Acapulco thing running boards?

Sat Aug 12, 2023 1:58 pm

I owned a legit ACAPULCO, bought from the original owner back in 2001. Wish I'd never sold it. I am about to buy another one.
VIN # 184 2 543 107
Current owner bought 23 years ago in Newport Beach. Its a little rough but will be fun to clean up.
I will keep you posted.

Fri Sep 08, 2023 6:29 am

Does anyone else remember seeing or renting one of these, there were a number of Acapulco's on the road on Oahu Hawaii in the mid 70's? They were clearly rental cars at the time 1975-78 ish you would see them at the tourist stops, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, Makapuu etc. I remember thinking who designed the tops for these VWs, and why that choice of colors. I'm sure someone else remembers and may know what business had them as a rental car. I didn't see them resurface in the "local" market afterwards, wonder what happened to them.

Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:30 pm

One of my coworkers remembers his family renting one on a vacation to Hawaii when he was young. He didn't remember much detail about them, unfortunately.

Sun Sep 10, 2023 8:41 am

Here is the proof. This is me in 1975 in Honolulu Hawaii. We rented this Acapulco for a week from Budget ( notice the decal on the side ).
They had blue versions as well as yellow.

Sat Apr 26, 2025 12:59 pm

I recently acquired an Acapulco Thing. It will is 18425421XX. Will post more
photos in future. I am in VA.

Fri May 16, 2025 4:15 pm

I just saw an "Acapulco" for sale in a city near me. I'm so glad to have this forum to refer to... Thank you!! They have a VIN of 18425544548 on their website... Looking at you pictures I believe it to be a copy. Kind of a bad one at that KBZ Motorwerks in Fort Wayne IN.... Did they ever make these in an automatic? My Dad always had VWs including a Thing. I think I may have to own one. How do I tell what month it was built?

Fri May 16, 2025 5:15 pm

I think the VIN has one too many numbers. It should be 10 digits.

Tue Nov 04, 2025 9:48 am

yel-mel wrote:

Here is the proof. This is me in 1975 in Honolulu Hawaii. We rented this Acapulco for a week from Budget ( notice the decal on the side ).
They had blue versions as well as yellow.

One of the most common comments I get from older folks while driving my Thing around is their fond memories of renting them while vacationing or honeymooning in Hawaii in the 1970s.

A dusty Acupulco showed up on facebook marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cv5KyWVSm/?mibextid=kL3p88
Looks legit! Note holey floor mats in the back deck, 59k miles seems plausible. Blue wheels, trailer hitch? and ooh-gah horn look incorrect.

Wed Nov 19, 2025 5:28 pm

Has anyone verified the VIN ranges? Looking at the Thing registration, I see alot of Blue/White, Acapulco, Aqua Blue/White Things listed beyond the VIN Ranges and Dates. I am currently looking at an Acapulco that meets all of the criteria but was produced in August of 74 and VIN starts with 184264 vise the 184254 that I have read.