Survivor Acapulco THING!
47 years single owner!
Original Acapulco 1974 Volkswagen Thing for Sale. This Volkswagen Thing is one of approximately 400 Acapulco Editions produced for the US market, in the Acapulco configuration.
This may be one of the best examples of an Acapulco THING, that is UNRESTORED. This vehicle has been in our family since June 1978, (our family was the second owner). This car has resided its whole life, in Colorado up until 2019, when it was relocated to KANSAS CITY. The actual mileage is 79,680 miles, and we put all those miles on the car except the first 14,000 miles. This particular Acapulco comes with all 3 tops. (As VW recommended all 3 tops be delivered with the ACAPULCO THING in 1974).
This THING has the correct GREY(Acapulco only from the factory) removable THING windows which were only produced/sold on an Acapulco THING. All 4 windows have newer clear Mylar soft plastic glass in them. These windows have none of the dreaded opaque cloudy hazing to them.
The tops included with this THING sale, is as follows:
#1 Top-Around the year 2015-we replaced the factory convertible soft top-by upgrading to a premium THING SHOP white convertible top and their reinforced premium TOP FRAME/BOWS, both were purchased and installed by the THING SHOP. These were purchased new and installed at the THING SHOP, in Chandler AZ, on this THING’s last visit to Arizona. In our ownership this THING has had a white convertible top on it 90% of the time we have owned it.
#2Top- OEM VW hard top (Factory option #ZVW 175 101-this was painted in blue prior to our purchased( it does have some white marks showing through)-Since it appears this car was a slow seller and didn’t get sold until 1975-we believe but cannot confirm that the original VW dealer, Vern Hagestad, in Denver CO, painted the hard top blue-to help sell the car)- as this is the ONLY Acapulco THING, I have ever seen with a Blue Hard top-all of the other Acapulco’s had WHITE hard tops).
#3 Top-The final top is the Acapulco “surrey” top which was made only for an Acapulco THING. In our ownership-Even though this surrey top has the blue white stripes on it, this surrey top has never been installed on this car. The Surrey top frame is structurally good, but the fabric of the top itself is in very poor condition (see photos).
Despite trying to describe this car as accurately as possible… this car, is not perfect, it does have some nicks and chips as our family drove this THING for many years as our daily driver.
Despite the excellent condition of this car, as I previously stated the car has NOT BEEN RESTORED. Windshield is still the original glass which does have some bull’s eyes in it (2). These bulls’ eyes were acquired in the last 20 years when the THING was being towed back and forth out of Arizona to escape the winters of Colorado. (Probably 1/3 of the total miles on the car (23,000) are from these trips are going to and from Arizona out of Colorado.
This THING was towed by my father, to and from Arizona, and was always towed with the VW style tow bar, on all 4 wheels. (Thus, the speedometer was NEVER disconnected). The windshield unfortunately was not covered, during some of the tows, and it suffered damage at some point.
Engine is a 1.7 liter, yes it is no longer a 1.6 liter. Engine was rebuilt around 70,000 miles. It was decided then to upgrade the cc’s a bit by having 88 mm Mahle/Cima pistons/cylinders, not the cheaper more common 87mm “slip ins”, installed. These 88mm’s were NOT the slip in variety. Engine displacement is now, 69mm x 88 mm or 1.7 liters. Stock distributor and carb/cam/exhaust were all retained. Nothing else in the engine was modified. The engine retains its original STOCK THING “AM” engine block, as well. This THING retains ALL of the THING ONLY FACTORY skid plates and covers as well.
Transmission in this car is the standard 4 speed VW THING transaxle. Drum brakes at all 4 corners stop this THING.
As one would expect on a well preserved survivor…
This THING comes with its ORIGINAL 2 VW OEM Black Master Keys, and the original Owners Manual, showing the first purchaser back in spring of 1975.
This THING runs and drives great. See cold start up video.
Both of the lower front seat covers have been replaced, however the rest of the “striped” blue and white interior is original. For the last 40 years, this car has always been garaged, other than when being driven.
Battery tray area has never rotted out or been replaced. Pan of this THING is original to this car. This VW pan has never had any replacement sections installed. This Pan has only surface rust. No rust through holes on this pan.
The rear fenders have been repainted, and are not of the same paint quality as the rest of the car.
Wiring on this car is original. It isn’t butchered or hacked up.
Paint on the car is 85-90% original. The only paint not original on the car(other than the rear fenders) is the front white/cream area where the license plate goes. This area was repainted (due to rock chipping), when the left front fender got a “ding” in a parking lot (so both the left front fender and the front nose were repainted at that point). Both rear fenders have had some paint work done (pretty obvious), otherwise the paint on this car is original. Rear bumper was replaced and painted as described below.
The only real accident damage on the car is where the previous owner backed into a “low” pole and pushed the left rear bumper upward and caused damage to the left interior sheet metal in the engine compartment. We replaced the rear bumper and chose not to do any further repairs (the only damage really seen is in the engine compartment).
2 other areas to note damage. The driver’s and rear drivers door both received some damage when they were “off’ of the car by a careless person handling the doors. (See photos).
In its 51 years of existence, to the best of my knowledge these are the only accidents/damage this car has ever had.
Running Boards are present/correct as would be only fitted to an Acapulco THING, as delivered from VW.
Car comes with the original VW AM radio, and a factory fitted cigarette lighter (VW option code ZVW 171 109).
This Car also comes with the VW Bumper guards, front and rear.
All 4 tires on the THING were replaced in 2019.
Another piece of originality-The original (1974) spare tire, is included, it’s a BF Goodrich (Euzkadi) radial, which is original to the car, it appears brand new and was obviously never rotated into the tires being driven ,all 4 tires were BF Goodrich (Euzkadi) when we bought this THING, just like this spare.
To the best of my knowledge, all sheet metal on this car is original.
A clean Kansas Title in the owner’s name is what you shall receive.
Car comes with the original hubcaps (very good-to excellent condition) even though they haven’t been on the car in over 40 years.
***This is a VW Thing Classifieds Full Service listing. We are working very close with the owner to facilitate the marketing and sale of this vehicle. As part of the sale we are also providing secure funds transfer via escrow as well as title transfer. Shipping can also be facilitated – should the need for that arise.
You can also contact us by calling/texting 503-862-8541.
