Author |
Message |
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:43 pm Post subject: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
My new 1974 Acapulco Thing. As I found it.
After a hose down.
It checks all the boxes. VIN falls within Acapulco range. Has the original white paint in trunk and engine compartment still, and Blue paint everywhere it belongs. Running boards and bumper guards.
It was originally an Acapulco. I will be doing a body off resto to original Acapulco design. I bought it from the 2nd owner, who bought it in 1976, and told me it was originally blue and white. He had it painted sometime in the 90s, I am hoping he can find some old pictures. It has been off the road since around 2006. Always an Arizona car so zero rust. _________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Semper_Dad Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3506 Location: Indiana
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Congrats on your find. Glad to hear you'll be returning it to its Acapulco identity.
Other than the bumpers being a bit hacked up it looks to be complete. Which top will you be going with? While the surrey top is the one item that clearly identifies the car, it's a bit impractical for daily use. Great for show or parades though. _________________ Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Ya the bumper ends being hacked off is a bummer, and I can’t think of any good reason to do that. But that is literally the worst damage on the car so I am in great shape. I think I will be going back to a surrey top, but have not decided for sure yet. Being in Arizona, I really only need the shade from the surrey top anyways. The current top frame is in mint condition. I can’t wait to get this Thing back to it original condition. _________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Semper_Dad Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3506 Location: Indiana
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Not sure how the surrey top fairs at highways speeds. I'd be afraid it might take off like the flying nun. Be great at parades and shows though. You may have to have someone build it for you. I've heard the Thing Shop has been out of stock for years. They still have the covers though. A bet a competent boat outfitter could fabricate the frame given enough information. _________________ Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jakokombi Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 776 Location: Milwaukee
|
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:52 am Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Congratulations! Nice find. I think I would be interrogating the P.O.s junk pile looking for that top frame. _________________ 70 Sunroof Kombi
69 Tin Top
73 Thing
72 Baja |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Ya I will be able to make the surrey top pretty easily. He didn’t have one I asked. I put a battery and some fresh gas to the carb and it fired right up today. _________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
yel-mel Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2015 Posts: 421 Location: Tampa Florida
|
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
How is your restoration budget? I only ask because I have been restoring 2 Things, and from experience the $' start to add up real fast !
Have fun with it......they are great cars to work on and seem to be going up in value in resent years. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
germansupplyscott Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 7090 Location: toronto
|
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Beauty find. _________________ SL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 11:15 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Thank you. Should be a fun one. I do all my own work, so budget is just in needed supplies. _________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Making some good progress
_________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dougster43 Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2018 Posts: 182 Location: Texas
|
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Looks great! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Getting some color on the Acapulco today, on the insides of everything
_________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
And got a good start on the door hinge/mirror/top mounts
_________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
germansupplyscott Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 7090 Location: toronto
|
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Paint looks fantastic. _________________ SL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Thanks a lot. I am happy with it. _________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
74 Thing Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7369
|
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2022 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
What kind of primer/paint are you using? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
I used acrylic urethane paint from summit racing, as I found suggested in a forum about Acapulco paint codes. And the color match is very close to the original paint that was left on the car. I am very happy with it. _________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Got some more paint done.
_________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
And the body is back on, now for the fun part. I love reassembly!!
_________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
notchnem65 Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Yuma,AZ
|
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2022 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Just found a 1974 Thing that was originally an Acapulco |
|
|
Getting close
_________________ 65 Notch
66 Notch “Notchstalgic” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|