Tips on Rust Repair on the body of your Thing - see attached

wardvwracer

I came across a fine example of body rust repair. Note the description:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volkswagen-Thing-TH...240%3A1318

Rolling Eyes

Amazing what people do.... Confused

_________________
David Ward
ACME Berrien Buggy Street/Strip racer build
1963 Single Cab
1969 Beetle Convertible
63 11-Window Kombi Bus
Cornpanzers

amishman · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

"THERE IS SOME RUST, BUT IT DOESN'T DETER THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE"

Sheesh.

Shocked

Scary Thing.
_________________
tj (the Amishman)

Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com

77kafer · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject:

This one comes in a close second, check out the rocker panels. They look like they are solid bondo. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___VW-TH...240%3A1318
_________________
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"

Chad1376 · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

The patch panels on the green Thing make the repair the PO did on my freebee look like fine craftsmanship. I can't judge too harshly though. I filled rust holes below my rear fenders with spray foam insulation. Embarassed

_________________
My never ending 1302 Autocross Project:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&a...02b8f83f22

2-73vdubs · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

Not only do you have the rust to deal with but now you also have to fill hundreds of holes from the sheet metal screws.I think he would be better off removing the tin so you could at least see how much rust you are dealing with.

Fun 181 · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject:

Wow. This is one for the history books. I had to upload these photos to the Samba gallery just so people would believe it once the eBay ad goes away.

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

"I HAVE FOR SALE A RARE 1973 VW THING. IT IS A COPY OF THE KUBELWAGEN USED BY GERMANY DURING WORLD WAR 2. THE VW HAS THE RARE HARDTOP AND GAS HEATER. IT HAS A 1600CC ENGINE DUAL PORT, W/4 SPEED TRANNY. APPROXIMATELY 25,000 WERE IMPORTED TO THE STATES. MANY WERE CRUSHED. THE VW STARTS AND STOPS, AND THE CLUTCH AND TRANNY WORK FINE. THERE IS SOME RUST, BUT IT DOESN'T DETER THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. SEE PICS. THIS IS A NO RESERVE AUCTION ON THIS RARE CLASSIC. BID TO OWN. CAN DELIVER FOR A SONG IF NEEDED. CASH ON PICK UP OR DELIVERY. NEED MORE PICS OR HAVE QUESTIONS, NO PROBLEM. BIDDERS WITH LESS THE 10 FEEDBACKS OF 100% WILL HAVE BIDS REJECTED UNLESS I AM CONTACTED FIRST. 618XXXXXXX. BIN GETS FREE DELIVERY WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS OF DU QUOIN, IL."

Dude, it's called a "shift key". Find it. Use it.

Here's the other one on eBay...

"You are bidding on my 1973 VW THING TYPE 181. It has been the most reliable VW I've ever owned. I have been the owner for the past 10 years, before that it was a summer only island mobile. (3 mile long island) It starts right up everytime. Had alot of fun taking it camping or just out on Sunday at the beach. Thing is pretty much all orginal. Engine runs Great, never any problems. Floor and under neith are SOLID! (shown in photos) Also, a photo of underneith shown. One of the few with the BN4 GAS HEATER SYSTEM! I never tried to get the heat working, but an VW Guru at a Swap Meet told me it was just the Spark Plug on the Heater. (only drove summers so I never bothered with the heat.) New Tires, Shocks, Brakes (brakes do need adjusted), Plugs, Wires, Cap!!! When I had new tires put on they never hooked up the mile gauge back to the tire, but speedomiter works. I don't know how to mess with that stuff, so I left it be. There was 58,000 miles on it then. I say it probley has 75,000 miles. Interior seats have been completely restored! Top and Windows were the next project. They are in functional shape, but need restoration. Body is in good shape with a few minor cosmetics. Bubbling under driverside doors from water damage. I do have 4 extra doors to throw in the deal for free. The only hole is inside passenger side. For the price the reserve is set at it is one hell of a deal! Minor cosmetics and a good paint job shes could be a high valued jem. These are going for top dollar in the NADA books. Only 96,000 ever made! I really never planned to sell, but have no choice. Good Luck!"

Yeah, "Good luck" is right! So this is an "island mobile" huh? From the description it sounds like the seller is from Fantasy Island! "I don't know how to mess with that stuff, so I left it be." Looks like you don't know how to mess with Bondo either. Too bad you didn't let that be! "Only 96,000 ever made"? Wouldn't using the actual production numbers (29,000) make this "jem" [sic] sound like more of a collectable?

I also found this recent photo in the gallery as I was uploading the eBay pics...

Rust... the eternal enemy!

yellow73kubel · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:37 am Post subject:

Hmm, now I know how to fix those massive dents in my rocker panels. Forget that $160 for new pieces...

I like the way they are trying to call these ultra rare. Half of the US Things have a BN4 heater, and almost all of the German military 181's do to. "When I had new tires put on they didn't reconnect the mile gauge" - well, they didn't have to take it off...

I am pretty sure that yellow one was some sort of project or parts car (something like that). Saw it somewhere on here, but I can't remember now.

bmwloco · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:08 am Post subject:

Yeow! Scary, horrifying and a lot of other adjectives come to mind.

My Thing is far from perfect, but it's nothing like these Thing Zombies i.e. the "rolling dead".
_________________
'85 Vanagon Westfalia

dasding · Samba Member Joined: April 12, 2008 Posts: 117

I think the Frankensteining that's happening there is almost endearing. He really needs to continue the theme though. Maybe some stitching on the hood or holding on the fenders or a zipper or two. I'm not sure where he'd put the electrode bolts, but I'm sure something could be figured out. And it should come with a small mechanic helper named Igor. "Throw the switch!"

howiesfamily · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

tstracy39 · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

Offer history

User ID Offer Price Offer Status Date of Offer

i***t ( 71) US $1,500.00 Declined Dec-06-08 06:49:04 PST

s***n ( 92) US $500.00 Declined Dec-05-08 06:03:52 PST

d***7 ( 3 ) US $150.00 Declined Dec-04-08 20:07:47 PST

After seeing the pics of the rust before they threw on the sheet metal (in the abortions thread) I find it hard to believe anyone would turn down $1500 for that bucket. Whoever made the offer for $150.00, you sir are the man.
_________________
Check my classifieds for kewl gauges:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=tstracy39

wardvwracer · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject:

Final price was $2200. YIKES! Shocked

_________________
David Ward
ACME Berrien Buggy Street/Strip racer build
1963 Single Cab
1969 Beetle Convertible
63 11-Window Kombi Bus
Cornpanzers

77kafer · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject:

tstracy39 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject:

Final price on the brown one was $2800: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___VW-TH...240%3A1318
Wonder what's underneath all the bondo on the rocker panels. Probably not much in the way of metal.
_________________
Check my classifieds for kewl gauges:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=tstracy39

77kafer · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

surferdudedav · Samba Member Joined: May 20, 2004 Posts: 517

the thing shop sells these "body armour" kits right? Wink


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1