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VTAthing Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Ventura Ca.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:29 pm Post subject: 1972 Thing........ here in ca? |
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Helllo, new thng owner...but have owned many bugs/sundial 66 etc... I have always wanted a thing ,I know in us they only inported them 73- 74........well I just bought a 72 thing......... say s it on the title.........but inside the front hood on old sticker/lable make in Mexico............... thought this was done after 72? is this possable? it has older bus style tail lights and older bug blinkers in front. anyways if anyone could inlighten me on this history and how rare is my thing......any info would be great ,,Thanks Dave |
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vw-thing Samba Member
Joined: February 29, 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Louisiana
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:40 am Post subject: |
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I'm not sure how common pre-1973 Things are in the US, but I have a '71 Mexican Thing that spent its whole life until last year in Guadalajara, Mexico. I was told the border was closed to imports last summer, so unless you can find a '73 or '74 Thing in Mexico, you can no longer bring other years across.
I'm interested in hearing the answer to your question as well...
Kris
:mrgreen: |
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VTAthing Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Ventura Ca.
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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anyone else have an opinion on this? |
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Big Jim Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2004 Posts: 291 Location: Denver
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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Things were produced from WWII into the 80's(I think) elsewhere in the world. '72 from Mexico is a definite possibility. If it's already in the US and titled, you shouldn't have any problems with it. Importing other than a '73 or '74 would be a real challange. |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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lastsafari Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2003 Posts: 18
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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Safaris were made in Mexico starting in november 1970. No type 181s were made anywhere before october 1968. 1971 Safaris had 15x5 wheels. 1972 Safaris 14x 5.5 wheels. Safaris were assambled in Puebla Mexico since car 1 using parts from Germany between nov 1970 till feb 1973. All other Safaris had the parts made in Mexico. All Things were made in Mexico with Mexican parts, including afew 1975s wich were sold in the US before the ban on Things reached the sale rooms. |
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VTAthing Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Ventura Ca.
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:03 pm Post subject: 72 thing |
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Tim/lastsafari...............That cleared things up quite a bit thanks for the production figures,,,,,, other question......do you or anyone know if they have the proper tail/front blinkers? older 68 bus tail light w/amber blinker...and frond fender is molded with the 68 blinker to fit.....anyways thanks alot |
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lastsafari Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2003 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Rear lights for 1972 Safaris come with two light bulbs and amber red combination. 68 Buses have only red, and just one bulb. |
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lastsafari Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2003 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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Front blinkers have three fases. One is ground, the second one is for turning lights, and the last one is always on. |
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VTAthing Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Ventura Ca.
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:34 pm Post subject: 72 Thing |
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Last safari...Thanks for all that imput....sounds like highly likely mine was a sufari to start with ? any input on locating parts....alot of parts seem a little irreg... stearing /lock wheel...looks to be 60's style rear end is all funky...not irs .. front light lenses any info on this would be great...Thanks for your time Dave |
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lastsafari Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2003 Posts: 18
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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Dave: according to your questions it seems to me like you have an ex-German Army vehicle due to your headlights. German headlights are not sealed beam units like in the US, and the headlight trim ring has two more screws for adjustment.
The rear suspencion-traccion is the same in the early German type 181s as for the early Safaris in 1972. A way to tell if your car was manufactured in Mexico is by looking for an aluminum plate the size of a business card pop riveted to the left of the front hood´s stricking plate on the opposite side of the washer tank, stating "Fabricado por Volkswagen de Mexico" (Manufactured by VW in Mexico) and then the serial number. |
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VTAthing Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Ventura Ca.
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:45 am Post subject: |
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I looked under hood and it says mexico on that plate, The rear end is the old style swing axle...with old boots on those joints...Im begining to think this thing was just pieced together by the guy I bought it from...its a 72 but it doesn't have 72 rear end ot right is it? |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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181s built in mexico all had swing axles and reduction boxes until 1973, as they were built from CKD kits imported from germany. So, the funky rear end is correct for your car, even though it was built in mexico. For more info, check out
http://www.geocities.com/vwtyp181/181index.htm
this is basically the definitive guide for all production info. _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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