Bought a 1973 VW Thing, need some feedback! Please…

[Abscate]

[Dusty1]

Big picture. Anyone walk into a regular car dealer lately?

Every new car dealer is staffed with trained killers so to speak. You don't stand a chance in there. They're in there to corner you and grab as much of your money as they can. They'll tag team you passing you from sales person to sales manager and back. When you're exhausted and all played out they'll lock you in a little office with the guy who sells extended warrantees.

When they've upcharged you for every last dollar they can grab you're supposed to stay high on that intoxicating new car smell.

Me, I enjoy the peculiar aroma of an ancient sun baked Bug.


Pop quiz. Anyone know the average price of a new car? It's $48,401. I paid less for my first house. We "only" paid $50k for an acre with a two car garage and a 1792 cape on it more recently. Yeah, we got a deal. Makes me feel real bad for Alma and Larry, a homeless couple in their 80s living in their car. Homeless or not, I'm pretty sure Alma and Larry have their priorities straight.


Here's the thing: The OEMs almost never sell anyone the cars they need. They sell them what they want. There's way more profit in a bloated SUV or a jacked up truck with a load height so tall it's impractical for almost any task I can think of aside from Friday night posing.

I designed a truck with a cargo floor so low you could use it as a dust pan. Don't expect to see it in production any time soon.


Anyway, take the average new car cost of over $48k. That must be why people selling '60s Bug projects don't hesitate to ask $10k.

Over $20k for a Thing? That's less than half of $48,401.

Don't get me started with splitty Bus prices. Seems to me they're competing with vintage Porsches. I guess I should talk to Alma and Larry. I could actually live in a splitty Bus.


I edited the ads for Dodge Dakota and Dodge Shadow half a lifetime ago before I actually worked for Chrysler. We called the Dakota the "N Truck" when I worked for Chrysler. That was the in- house name for that platform. Later worked on XJ, ZJ and Viper.

O.k., give me a moment to grab a fresh stick. Let's beat this thing some more. Let's talk recent automotive advertising. OMG! That thump, thump, thump sound you hear in the background is me beating my ex- advertising professional head against the wall. Grabbing a few advertising slogans,

"Feel the freedom!" Yeah, I feel the freedom driving our 2015 Prius. Freedom from car payments. It's all paid for. We didn't overpay. We didn't buy the extended warrantee. -I'm- the extended warrantee. We're somewhere past the 40th oil change. I just put Brembo brakes on it, first brake job with over 200k on it. The OEM pads would have gone another 50k. You bet your sweet ass I feel the freedom!

Next slogan, Subaru's "Feel the love" campaign. Brother, you want me to "feel the love" you better make it look exactly like a '60s VW Bug or Bus. I don't mean these fake Bugs VW sold recently. And, I believe loving an automobile takes decades. Long after the new car smell is gone, long after it's paid off, long after the extended warrantee has expired... If my faithful Volkswagen gets me there and back, I might feel something almost like love.

Next travesty, Subaru's "Dog approved" campaign. C'mon. You don't hear that? That thump, thump thump is me absolutely pounding my head against the wall. Are you kidding me? "Dog approved"?!

For those who may not have seen the ads or know what I'm talkin' about, the ads show dogs driving Subarus. No mention of price or capabilities that I can recall, just that the cars are "Dog approved". OMG!! $48,401 for a "Dog car"?!!!

I know a dog car when I see one. More to the point, my dog knows a dog car when he sees one. He pisses on as many tires on our dog cars as he can. O.k.. Full disclosure, haven't had a dog since I moved away from the farm. But... I guarantee our old farm dog would piss on the tires of a "dog car".

He used to fetch live chickens, too.


I inherited a couple "dog cars" from my self- styled dominatrix friend. She rescues pit bulls and full sized poodles. Kinda goes with her image, eh?

You may want to know what sort of "dog cars" she gave me. She gave me a Cutlass Ciera wagon and a Silverado package square nose Suburban, both fine dog cars. First criteria is low price. "Feel the freedom", yeah right freedom from payments like I said. I start to love a car that's all paid for. Anyway, these dog cars have four doors and velour interiors. Better to keep the pitties and the poodies comfy I say. Bitch to keep clean though pardon the pun.


Over $20k for a Thing? Feel the love.


Everyone has gone crazy except me.

.
.

[cma68]

I haven't given up on this post. My mechanic seems to be having trouble with sourcing a new ignition switch, my guess anyway. He claims the car will be ready next week. I did proceed with having an AM code motor built by Willie Page and it is supposed to be installed mid July.

I was told the 1500 is running strong, but the excessive oil leaks would require a rebuild.

[cma68]

Update: The car is still at the mechanic. He is having great difficulty sourcing the correct ignition switch.

Quick summary;

1. Purchased car on March 30, 2025
2. Car delivered on April 18, 2025 at 10:30pm. Car would not start.
3. Car towed to mechanic April 19, 2025 at 8:30am.
4. Mechanic got engine running but found it leaks oil excessively. Doors will not stay closed. Needs new battery and cables, new hood latch cable, ignition switch. Engine is not a 1600 as advertised.
5. Decided to have a third party build new engine with correct block. Installation planned for mid July if I get the car back be then.
6. Trouble locating correct ignition switch.
7. Owned car for 3 months. only sat in it once and haven't driven it yet. But soon I will.

[77kafer]

Thanks for the quick summary / update.
_________________
Supposed to be 77käfer, but there are no umlauts on an american keyboard

Overheard on 27 June 07, one lady to another when they saw my Harli in a parking lot at West Point, "maybe he found it on the clearance aisle at the Volkswagen dealer"

[Olli from NJ]

The Thing Shop. Thethingshop.com
https://thethingshop.net/product/switch-ignition-starter-1973/

Thingparts.com
https://www.thingparts.com/search.php?search_query=ignition+switch&x=0&y=0

Olli

[doublecanister]

Check here too:

https://www.thingparts.com/ignition-lock-cylinder-key-switch/
T
_________________
****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[cma68]

Well, I drove The Thing today for the first time since I purchased it on March 31 of this year. Top up, 86 degrees F, windows on with just a slider on the driver window open. Can you say hot!!! What can I say, it’s slow, turning it requires some thought and planning, and as far as braking, well let’s just say it eventually stops. It is a 1973 VW Thing.

Things the mechanic fixed. Doors now latch properly, the battery is the correct size and fits under the seat springs. The terminals are no longer exposed. It now has the correct battery cable of the proper colors. The cable for the front hood works and has a handle. The gas gauge is working. The ignition switch now turns the engine over. The engine now starts and with ease. It has been tuned up to run as best as an engine that smokes and leaks a ton of oil can. He did have trouble sourcing the proper ignition switch, which delayed the process. But I have it back and it runs pretty well.

I also was very surprised at the cost. Not nearly what I feared it would be!

I would mention the shop but I didn’t speak with him about mentioning the name.

Next up, a newly built complete engine with correct block code and year, and correct 1 year only powder coated doghouse. Willie Page is the builder and Midwest Auto Savers will do the install. Tragedy averted but at a cost.

I’ll just keep moving forward and forget about what I had to go through to get here. I’ll post pictures once the new engine is installed!

Thanks Chris, Willie and Darby! Willie and Darby for the engine they will be installing.

[77kafer]

cma68,

Thanks for the update. It took some time, but I am glad to see that you are finally driving the Thing.
_________________
Supposed to be 77käfer, but there are no umlauts on an american keyboard

Overheard on 27 June 07, one lady to another when they saw my Harli in a parking lot at West Point, "maybe he found it on the clearance aisle at the Volkswagen dealer"

[cma68]

The saga is nearing a conclusion.

The following was/will be completed after the March 31 purchase/April 18 delivery of the vehicle. Note that I have only driven the vehicle twice. Once home from the first mechanic (roughly 3 miles) and the second time to the second mechanic (roughly 35 white knuckled miles).

Parts replaced;

Ignition Switch
Hood Cable
Battery
Battery terminal covers
Battery Ground Cable
Urethan Shift Coupler
Correct amperage fuses
Rekey doors to ignition
Replace leaky smokey 1500cc engine w/ rebuilt 1600cc engine with correct doghouse, tins and case code
New fuel lines
New fuel filter
New Transaxle mounts
New brake cylinders all 4
New brake shoes rear
Replace brake fluid - Flush and fill
Clutch pedal shaft/hook
Accelerator pedal lever w/roller
Brake return spring
Clutch cable
Clutch adj nut
Clutch Bowden tube

I should have the Thing back by the end of next week. Moral of the story; Don't go in the water if you don't know how to swim.

Thanks for your interest and supportive comments.

[77kafer]

You are welcome, and thanks for the update.
_________________
Supposed to be 77käfer, but there are no umlauts on an american keyboard

Overheard on 27 June 07, one lady to another when they saw my Harli in a parking lot at West Point, "maybe he found it on the clearance aisle at the Volkswagen dealer"

[doublecanister]

hey Cma68,

Glad it's finally coming together for you, hopefully the enjoyment of getting to drive it will help erase the fun of purchasing it.

And most of the stuff on that list I've had to replace on mine too.
Just one of those "many" Things!

Take care,
T
_________________
****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[cma68]

OK...after many, many thousands of dollars I am picking up the Thing tonight.

My "summer of fun" didn't go as planned. The laundry list of repairs and months with mechanics is coming to an end.

Nothing that a lot of overtime can't fix.

I will post pics in the introduction area as soon as I can.

[vws-microcars4jim]

Congrats on getting the Thing! The fun is just starting. To me, the type 181 is hands-down the most fun vehicle I have owned. It is just comfortable and enjoyable to cruise in. I never have the doors on, never ever have the windshield up (wear goggles). The comments and looks, thumbs up from everyone from kids to cops, is priceless.

Here is mine at the Morton Arboretum, some years ago. I'll be looking for your car on the road!

Jim

[cma68]

Did I see you driving in Niles near SuperDawg a few weeks ago?

If not you, there’s another yellow Thing running around the north side.

[vws-microcars4jim]

I don't think that was me you saw! But I was at Gene and Jude's recently.
There are a few of us Thing owners in the area. Welcome to the elite club! You have found this site which has a wealth of good information. There are not many shops I would trust with my cars around here. If you need advice or help let me know, I'm an ASE certified tech.
Jim

[RLFD213]

CMA68 did you get the car last night? Everything work out for you. I’ve been following this to see.

[cma68]

Test post.

Edit of original test post.
I was having difficulty posting from my iPad. I would write a long response and when I submitted it I would no longer be logged in. In the process loosing what I wrote.

[cma68]

RLFD213, I did pick up the car Wednesday evening. And as one would expect, the new (rebuilt) engine, now with AM code case, runs excellent, starts easy and idles without issue. What really shocked me was how smooth the clutch engaged without any grabbing or lurching. At least for the first 10 miles or so.

That is exactly what I was thinking about when I heard a loud clank down by the clutch peddle as I depressed the clutch. Not sure what it was. At first I believed it to be a return spring because the clutch peddle felt a little different afterwards. And now it wasn't as smooth starting out in first, in fact right afterwards is was a bit difficult. And second gear would buck a little too. I texted the shop to let them know what I was experiencing.

I wasn't able to bring it right back in because I had been called back into work while on the way up to get the car. Understand that the shop is 1.5 hours from my home. Eventually during my ride home it seemed to improve, or maybe I just got used to engaging the clutch more gingerly? But I did drive the car yesterday. Had I not experienced how smooth it could be, I would not give a thought to the way the clutch engages now. I would think it acceptable. If it continued to grab and buck excessively as it did right after the noise I would be really concerned.

How can it go from fantastic, to grabby and lurching, to acceptable? That I don't understand.

Darby (shop owner) is willing to look at it Saturday morning. But if he is coming in on Saturday just for this reason, I would prefer to wait to drop it off another time.

If anybody has any ideas of what may have happened.... Also, I can't be sure but the noise may have been the clutch peddle hitting the firewall. It does that now but not as loudly as the clank I first heard. I can't remember if it was contacting the firewall prior to the loud clank.

[vws-microcars4jim]

Good to hear you found a decent local shop. Darby Milnor has a good reputation and if he installed a Willie Page motor in there you should be good to go.

With a new clutch (not on your parts list but I would assume) and other pedal/linkage parts replaced, there may be a "break-in" phase and a cable adjustment needed. Pay heed to the amount of free play in the clutch pedal as you drive it more.

Keep us posted!

Jim