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jeromevw312
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006
Posts: 236
Location: belmar, nj
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 Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:17 pm Post subject: Brought home a Thing today |
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Finally got a Thing. I just sold my Manx Style Dune Buggy of 19 years a couple days ago, it was time. I have 2 young daughters so I needed something with a back seat, and honestly a new project.
Found it less than 20 minutes from my house. 80’s style restoration, some fiberglass in back corners under seats and the rocker panels have metal patches pop riveted and then filled over and painted. But... it overall will clean up fine as a “driver” for a couple years before I have and can take it down. I am very experienced in welding and rust repair, so I know what I got myself into. Front apron is good, behind front wheel wells are good, front of back wheel wells have glass but that is from under seat corners so to be expected. Floors are OK for now, but eventually i will have to do pans when I do the rockers. Again, I know what I got myself into. The drivers side quarter panel seam (not sure what it is called, but know its a common Thing issue) has a big chunk of bondo read to pop out.
Rockers and maybe floor pans is really the worst of it.
Top frame is in fantastic condition and came with a new top still in the box. Came with 2 sets of crappy side curtains, hoping I can cobble together a “usable” set from them and so new plexiglass.
Owner couldn’t get it started (claimed it started last month and had a bunch of pics of driving it last summer) but he had no idea about cars, bought it on a whim 2 years ago and had a VW mechanic get it on the road with a new carb and tune up stuff. Plugs were beyond fouled. Honestly, it saved me a $1000 that it didn’t start and I have a 1641 longblock, a set of 36 Dellorto’s and a 019 rebuilt by Glenn Ring that should make for a nice little combo. But, I really hope I can get it going as is for the summer and build up that engine over the winter.
First up-
1) Get it running
2) install top
3) put anchors in the backseat for kids carseats
Look forward to asking a bunch of questions here and hopefully answering some questions for others, I have lots of general aircooled experience as well as years of Autobody and rust repair experience.
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JayC
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2010
Posts: 292
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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| Looks good! |
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Deckard
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2012
Posts: 296
Location: Knoxville, TN
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| Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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Congratulations on your new purchase. As an FYI you can use easily use the LATCH system car seats in the rear seat of your Thing without having to modify it.
In the space between the rear bench seat and the back there is a thick metal bar that serves as the pivot to recline the seats; use it to attach the LATCH side clips. Then behind the seats in the rear package shelf there is a welded bar that can be used as the rear Anchor clip. I also used the lap belts on the back "tunnel" of the baby car seats as an extra security measure.
You can see both in the attached picture. I have use them for short trips with my two boys, yet I cannot guarantee it will work for your car seats.
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obus 
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11065
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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jeromevw312
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006
Posts: 236
Location: belmar, nj
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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| obus wrote: |
| i looked at that Thing but passed as i don't do metal work. I'm not far from you. down in Toms River. |
Well, turns out the paperwork and VIN plate on this Thing are bogus, VIN plate in trunk that matches title is from a 1972 VW Squareback. Sticker in door jam was mostly poorly scaped off, only part I could make out was the build date of 7/73.
Called the previous owner who I honestly believe had no idea. At first he gave me a hard time with some choice language. I then showed him proof and threatened getting local authorities involved since he SOLD me a vehicle with FALSIFIED DOCUMENTS. He quickly changed his tune, so I brought the car back and get my money back. |
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jeromevw312
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006
Posts: 236
Location: belmar, nj
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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After the disaster that was the Thing I posted above, Karma came through and I found a different thing 3 hours from me in 10X better condition for not that much more money than the first one.
Things work out sometimes |
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irvanm
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 609
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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| can we get some pictures of the new one? |
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obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11065
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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jeromevw312
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006
Posts: 236
Location: belmar, nj
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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Older restoration, solid driver. Had pans replaced and some typical rust repair work done 20yrs ago, but it looks like everything was cut out and new metal welded in. Only real rust issue is side view mirrors.
Desperately needs a top, completely shredded, side curtains will be “usable with new plexiglass and front seats need complete rebuild.
Exactly what I wanted for a summer daily driver / ice cream runner with kids.
Purrs like a kitten, recent tune up, brakes, tires.
Not to nice I will overly worry about it, but plenty presentable for shows / cruise nights. Will be slowing down traffic on the Jersey Shore very soon. |
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yellow73kubel
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2008
Posts: 789
Location: Columbia, SC
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Brought home a Thing today |
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| Deckard wrote: |
| In the space between the rear bench seat and the back there is a thick metal bar that serves as the pivot to recline the seats; use it to attach the LATCH side clips. Then behind the seats in the rear package shelf there is a welded bar that can be used as the rear Anchor clip. I also used the lap belts on the back "tunnel" of the baby car seats as an extra security measure. |
I have thought about doing exactly what this with my daughter's car seat (low speed offroad on private land, my wife won't allow public roads). However, in my opinion, those 3 points don't come close to the strength required for LATCH anchors. I plan to stick with the lap belt as an anchor to avoid any weird loads the car seat is not intended for.
Congrats on the new Thing Jerome! |
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obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11065
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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