1974 Volkswagen Thing - Acapulco Edition

VIN 1842544XXXX
One of only 400 Acapulco Edition built
Rarest of the VW Type 181
Original Paint

Sold new on February 26, 1976, to Kenneth N Laidlaw from Silver City, Nevada by Johnnie Lee Imported Cars, Inc Volkswagen in Berkeley, California. Paperwork and service history from 1976 to 1999, one owner for 23 years. Original owner's manual, emission control and factory Thing brochure. Excellent original turnkey driver with a powerful flat-four engine with a 4-speed manual transmission. $2,300 has been recently spent as of May 2020, for a full service including; new distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wires, condenser, fan belt, oil & filter change, new muffler, installed a new carburetor, replace wheel cylinders, brake hoses, adjust brakes, and the fuel tank was replaced.

A true survivor, original paint with patina but an amazing straight body for being 46 years old. Finished in off-white with a blue hood, bumpers, and rocker panels, a color scheme unique to the approximately 400 examples in the Acapulco Edition produced for the US market. The Acapulco Edition featured black running boards and striped Surrey tops in addition to the blue accents, though this example is instead equipped with a white factory hardtop, which is quite rare. The interior includes the blue-and-white striped vinyl rear seats distinctive to the Acapulco Edition, the front seats have been upholstered in black vinyl. The cabin also retains a body-colored steel dash and doorless glovebox. Painted 14” steel wheels with hubcaps and Nexen 195/75 R14 tires. This is an excellent driver with solid floor pans and is ready to enjoy. The perfect beach cruiser or second car.

Acapulco- USA/Mexico history

In 1974 the Thing "Acapulco" model was available, a stock Thing with a few minor trim changes. They had blue and white gloss paint and interior, running boards, usually a surrey top and either a hardtop or a soft top. There were some Acapulco's built-in Mexico in 1973 for the resort trade, including a few with a pink and white color scheme. Most all the Acapulco Things were exported to the US market in 1974 and only 400 were made. This is the rarest of all the Type 181's built.