Rubber VW keys on #1 plug wire

[vws-microcars4jim]

I bought a 1973 thing a few months back from the second owner, who only reached 6,800 miles before parking it in 1979. I saw it in the local paper for $650 and purchased it for $550 thanks to "VW Dave's" haggling techniques. Got it home and while doing it's first-ever tune-up, discovered two rubber-ended VW keys on a key ring hanging from the #1 plug wire. They had a little tag on the keychain which had numbers matching the VIN. Has anyone heard of this before or did the original owner think this was a good place to hide an extra set?

[Pinky]

Often times the spare keys were put into the engine compartment from the dealer. I have heard that they were usually taped to the back of the fan shroud. I found a spare that had tumbled down and was sitting in a little pile of pine needles stuck behind the shroud on mine when I got it. She'd sat in a barn for 20 odd years.

Man!!! sounds like you got a mega-ultra-turbo-bodacious steal!!! Post up some VW porn... er, I mean pics for all of us when you get a chance. I'm sure we'd all love to see such a low mileage car. Low mileage cars are generally a real treat to work on. What kind of condition is it in? Keep us posted on the progress!

[vws-microcars4jim]

Thanks for the informative answer. I wondered how those keys got there as the engine looks untouched from new. As far as condition, the top is tattered and yellow paint faded, but everything is unmolested. Square (west coast?) roll cage was in it, which has a bit of rust at the mounting points on the floor. The rubber "holey" floor mats are still in place but are dry rotted. VW AM/FM radio is mounted under the dash, which still works, and looks correct ? I will post some photos if you guys want to see a what a thing that sat around most of it's life looks like.

Jim

[Ent73]

i am the original owner of a 73. the spare key was hanging on the #1 spark plug wire. must have been a factory thing

[Pinky]

[Ent73]

hmmm must have been a factory thing

[kubelmann]

Yes yes yes all 73 and 74 US Things came with the black rubber headed key with a tab that had the key number on it. It was hooked to the #1 plug wire as a spare. We had a 74 that was a year old when we bought it and it still had the spare key attached. The other key was the standard metal "R" profile.. This black key was not dealer replaceable even at the time. There is a guy who has made a very good replica of this key. He sells them on Samba and eBay now and again. He gets around $20 for the blank. I have an original one for one of my Things if anyone want a picture. K-mann

[Pinky]

Mike Crisp makes key blanks as well. Pretty good quality and well reccomended. He makes a pretty rad repro of the handcrank and starter dog too.

[radioman]

vwjim: $550????????????? Get some pictures up ASAP! Boy! Did I get screwed.
_________________
It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[jedwards]

Could someone post an image of the tag that came with the key? I've got the rubber-top key for mine and it might be fun to fab up a tag for it sometime if I get bored.

[vws-microcars4jim]

I've posted a photo of my '73 thing key / tag found on plug wire #1. I'll post more photos soon. I've started some repair of the vehicle (it has minor rust, faded paint, worn top) so the photos are of the restoration-in-progress. This vehicle had mostly everything original upon purchase.