Bought a 1973 VW Thing, need some feedback! Please…

[cma68]

My new to me 1973 VW Thing purchased on eBay from a dealership has some issues. I expect some issues. However, the eBay listing stated it has a 1600cc engine. It turns out it has a 1500cc engine according to my air-cooled VW mechanic as determined by the engine code.

I didn’t expect it to have the original engine, but I did expect it to have a 1600cc engine. Why it had to be towed to a mechanic the morning after it was delivered is a whole other story I’ll get into later.

What do the members of The Samba have to say? I’m I wrong to be a bit pissed? Or just a case of buyer beware?

[77kafer]

Post some Pictures.
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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"

[cma68]

[77kafer]

[cma68]

Sorry for the odd angles. This was at 11pm upon delivery as documentation. There were so troubles when delivered.

[obus]

visually looks nice. Mechanical issues i assume? Guy i bought mine from lied. Told me it was a daily driver. It wasnt. Said it was original paint. It wasnt. My fault for just seeing videos and photos of it but still kind of "Dickie"
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July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
March 1956 Beetle convertible L41 Black

[cma68]

[YDBD]

Most '73 Things came with a 1584cc motor and termed "1600", engines from 1967 were 1493cc and were termed a "1500" The code on the engine case means it may be a 1500 (1493cc) and is not the original engine. The mechanic should know this and know that the only way to actually determine what size engine it is by measuring the bore and stroke.

Very few 1600 engines are in fact exactly 1600cc and have some variant of cc either way.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=596692

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/engine_letters.php
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'56 pan Dune Buggy since '69
don't live in the past...but when I did:
'67 bug
'64 baja
'60 dune buggy
'73 Personenkraftwagen Type 182 "Thing"

[cma68]

Well I thought I better check the VIN to see that it is indeed a 1973 VW Thing and not an earlier year that may have come with a 1500cc engine.

VIN checks out: 183XXXXXXX.

I received images from the service center of the engine bay and engine code.

Can anybody identify this engine. The tins have heat exchange holes blocked off which I believe I read is correct.

[mondshine]

It seems that nobody has mentioned that an engine case that was originally a "1500" may not, and probably does not still have its original cylinders or heads.

It could be a "1600", it could be a "1776", even with single port heads, (if it is so equipped).

There is no reason to panic over this; if it runs well, drive it.
But keep in mind that on a 50 year old VW, the engine's code is not the "last word" on its displacement.

When the time comes to disassemble the engine, the truth will be obvious.

Good luck and have fun (that's what these cars are made for).

[cma68]

[CraigInPA]

My biggest concern would be the lack of all the engine tin. The AM engine had an extra boss to hold on the tin, whereas none of the others did.

I'd say the 1500 greatly affects the value to a collector, or if you're going to later sell it at a collector car event (where they'd flag it for not having the correct engine type). For a casual driver, not so much.

[mondshine]

To some people, having the AM code engine, the original engines for Things sold in the US, adds value. Especially where the car is very original.

In reality, the value of any Thing is based on the condition of its chassis, body, interior, top and side curtains. The engine is the least important factor, because it is easy to remove, repair, or replace.

If you are new to "The Thingdom" I suggest you do some study before you start getting your hands dirty.

Read the owners manual. Buy yourself a Robert Bentley Manual.

With some understanding, these cars are very simple. Once you come to know how things work, you may find that YOU are the most qualified to fix it.

A 50 year old VW will never be a zero maintenance item, like a modern car. It will always reqire some tinkering, along with regular maintenance, (much more than your "regular" car) and all of that will be best done by you.

And Craig is right re: the engine tin. Fix that first.

Good luck, Mondshine

[el_safari]

Just for the record:
The first model year1970, it was a 1500cc H engine. It changed for the civilian with the 1971 model year for a 1600cc. The military model kept the H engine till February 1971 and ...you have 2 military front fenders on your 181!
Enjoy it
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La terre n'est qu'un seul pays

[cma68]

[cma68]

[cma68]

[doublecanister]

hey CMA68, looks like a nice Thing from the pictures,
the little clips on the front fenders I think were for the military blackout option for the headlights (but please don't' quote me on that).
I have a 73' as well.

As far as it being the 'right motor', wouldn't sweat that either. Esp if it works or once you get it working, not many still have the original engine anymore
but there's a few that still do.

Mine had a Brazil replacement engine when I got it, a busted heater, rattling shifter, bad cv's, rusty gas tank, stopped up carb and was delivered running off stale gas...for a Thing
that didn't look like it needed much, I've had to go thru a lot just to fix PO issues but in process learned a lot (mostly enjoyed it with some minor cussing ).

Just in the past year I finally put better exhaust, ignition and dual weber 34's on it, very pleased with the improved performance - don't feel like I'm going to get run over when I drive it now. (my main road is 55 but they drive 65-70).

(Many Thanks to FastMC25 for the help with all the tuning ).

Hope you get it running and driving well and enjoy it, you'd defiantly get asked questions about it and you can always joke with them
asking about 'showing them your Thing"

Once you learn how to hopefully work on it yourself you'll feel better about it. Just takes time. But search the Samba, there's bunches of info on here and lots of 'folks in the know' that'll help.
I know I've got my share of help from quite a few folks on here that helped explain what I couldn't understand from the repair manuals.
The technical forum for the THING has some neat stuff in there too.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/

Good luck with it and hope you can get er' going soon!

And welcome to the family

T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[cma68]

Thanks doublecanister for the words of encouragement. I know in time everything will be resolved. I look forward to fun in the sun.

[obus]

if you did not know this, besides on here for spare parts to buy in the classifieds as well as local swaps, you have Mike Basso in NY at https://www.thingparts.com/ and also the folks in AZ at https://thethingshop.net/about/

Good Luck!!!
_________________
July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
March 1956 Beetle convertible L41 Black