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My first Thing ('74)
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:11 am    Post subject: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

I've always had a thing for Things Wink - so I finally bought one a few weeks ago. According to the guy I bought it from, it started it's life in Texas, then went to Ohio where it was last registered in 1982. It was pulled out of a barn on a farm that was foreclosed.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Seems like it had been used for off-roading - it had a 3" lift kit installed, external oil cooler, cut-down air scoops, larger rear wheels & tires. It's pretty solid overall. What sucks is that a PO hacked a hole around the steering column when he installed the lift kit. He also cut a hole in the rear of the glove box compartment to install a radio or CB.

My plan is to return it to stock, keep the original paint where possible, get it roadworthy, maybe lower it.

Question for everybody - is this paint scheme original (white with black fenders)? I don't see any white paint under the black.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


These photos were taken by the guy I bought it from. Hopefully the snow here in Philly will be melted by this weekend so that I can start work on it!
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wolfywho
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congrats! I almost purchased this vehicle too. I think you beat me out by just a few minutes when purchasing it. Seriously. I'm just a couple of hours away (Ann Arbor, MI) from where the PO lives.

May I ask what you ended up getting it for (you can PM me if you wish)?

Looking forward to your progess. Thanks for sharing!

Scott
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Captain Spalding
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:54 am    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

waxhead wrote:
Question for everybody - is this paint scheme original (white with black fenders)? I don't see any white paint under the black.


Nope. Not stock. It looks from the photos that the interior is a different color from the exterior. I think the ivory white of the interior is stock, and the bright white of the exterior is not.

With few exceptions, bumpers were black and wheels were silver-gray.
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uberautowerks
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fenders were always body color. yours were most likely replaced some time in the dim dark past.
Also, for what its worth, the original color (now the interior color on yours!!) was "L90H Blizzard White"
Eric
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--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
---
'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)
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Yarkle
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I remember seeing this on the samba at least twice before, as remember the modified "hamstercheeks"

I wonder why it keeps getting passed around?
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rcmaniac24
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

it looks sweet and solid plan (besides lowering it) just my opinion though. good luck!
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yarkle wrote:
I think I remember seeing this on the samba at least twice before, as remember the modified "hamstercheeks"


I'd doubt if this is the only Thing that has had this modification to the air scoops.

Another question: Are the rear seats simply wooden bases with foam? Something you could make yourself? Anyone have a photo of them? (I searched but didn't find much).
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Yarkle
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd doubt it too, but im pretty sure this is the same thing from this post:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=374134&highlight=barn

OTOH, I wonder why so many things have been stuck in barns since 82 or so?

Ive seen several post and classified articles and craigslist ads discussing the thing that lived in the barn since the early 80s

Did they all break down at the same time?

Mine was in a barn since 83 (seats also eaten by goats) Top also eaten by goats!

SEATS:

the seatback part of the rear seats are on a metal frame, the seat bottom is just a piece of foam with a vinyl cover, that sits on top of a bunch of springs...

heres an ad from the classifieds:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=567467

BUT, Chad has made his own:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=363279&highlight=foam+seat


Last edited by Yarkle on Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:52 pm; edited 2 times in total
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wolfywho
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yarkle wrote:
I'd doubt it too, but im pretty sure this is the same thing from this post:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=374134&highlight=barn


I would have to agree with you.
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Emeritusx
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess gas cap gave up on it... I hope you get it back on the road, poor thing - stuck in a barn for umpteen years..
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booch
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:57 pm    Post subject: Re: My first Thing ('74) Reply with quote

waxhead wrote:
Hopefully the snow here in Philly will be melted by this weekend so that I can start work on it!

I'm just a few miles away from you, and the snow is gone.

Time to get to work! Wink

Glad to see another Thing in the area, can't wait to see it on the road. I hardly see any other air cooled VWs in daily use, let alone another Thing.

If you need to see a Thing in person for a reference on your project let me know, I'm in Ambler and drive a '73.
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep, same car. Gas Cap made a nice little profit on it (I still got a good deal, I think).

Booch - that's cool, I'll definitely give you a shout soon. I'm pretty close to you (King of Prussia).
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I managed to spend a few hours tinkering with the Thing, taking some photos, making a list of missing parts etc.

Both mirror mounts are shot:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Rust holes starting to show on both rockers (back towards rear wheels). Why do all Things rust here (both inner rear wheel wells are solid)?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Inner rear wheel well:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Ugly hole made when lift kit was installed:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


What's behind these plastic covers?
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Inspection sticker from 1977:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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waxhead
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm guessing this hole is where the antenna is mounted - anyone have a photo of one?

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Last edited by waxhead on Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:04 am; edited 1 time in total
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Ian Epperson
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

waxhead wrote:

Rust holes starting to show on both rockers (back towards rear wheels). Why do all Things rust here (both inner rear wheel wells are solid)?

There are drain holes that allow water to flow into the rockers from the bottom of the door sills. That water is supposed to be able to flow back out to the ground via 3 little one-way flaps on the bottom of the rockers. If the car doesn't move around much, water run down the door sills, into the rocker and can pool up in the rear. I assume the wheel wells are made of heavier metal and take longer to rust through.


waxhead wrote:
What's behind these plastic covers?
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Nothing. They're kick-plates.
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waxhead
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian Epperson wrote:
There are drain holes that allow water to flow into the rockers from the bottom of the door sills. That water is supposed to be able to flow back out to the ground via 3 little one-way flaps on the bottom of the rockers.


Really? Does anyone have a photo of these drain holes? I didn't see any.

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Yarkle
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

waxhead wrote:
I'm guessing this hole is where the antenna is mounted - anyone have a photo of one?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


the holes up top are where the mirrors were mounted..I have to fix my passenger side.

Dunno about the other hole, maybe?

IMO, the best solution is to get the thing shop mirror mounts, that replace your upper door hinge..they are pricey tho...80+shipping

OR you can weld new threaded mounts onto the sides

OR you can get doors from a 73 where the mirrors mount on them

OR, you could buy a set of the original VW ones that fit on top of your door hinges with longer screws. Apparently, alot of the 73s had them as a later accessory so you could have the mirrors when you went doorless

I have a set of the original ones (theyve got some surface rust) Ill let go for 20+shipping if you want, PM me.
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Ian Epperson
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

waxhead wrote:
Ian Epperson wrote:
There are drain holes that allow water to flow into the rockers from the bottom of the door sills. That water is supposed to be able to flow back out to the ground via 3 little one-way flaps on the bottom of the rockers.


Really? Does anyone have a photo of these drain holes? I didn't see any.


Here:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

And on my car:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So that's where the water enters the rockers. There are two on each door sill. If you look for the bumps on the bottom of the rockers, you'll find the drains at each of these little squared off bits:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


There are 3 drains per side. On the bottom, there should be a one-way flap plug, like this (I'm holding it open a bit with my thumbnail):
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

If you look closely, you can see that my front one has a bolt in it. I need to fix that some day.

These are supposed to allow the water to drain to the ground. If you check and find one plugged up (or closed with a bolt like mine), then you're also likely to find standing water there, and ultimately, rust.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yarkle wrote:

OR, you could buy a set of the original VW ones that fit on top of your door hinges with longer screws. Apparently, alot of the 73s had them as a later accessory so you could have the mirrors when you went doorless


How would you take off the doors?

I need to get my mirror situation resolved, that RV mirror looks kinda stupid..
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