gokart
1600dp
'67 Beetle - Ruby
Posts: 858
Joined: Sept 28, 2008 20:39:39 GMT -5
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Post by gokart on Aug 18, 2015 14:18:56 GMT -5
I just picked up this '74 Thing. I bought it from a guy who pulled it from the original owner's barn. Original owner used it mainly around the farm, and he believes the 42,000 miles on the odometer is original. I tend to believe it. Still has the original Thing muffler that exits through the bumper. However, it spent some time outdoors and the floors are patched and a little rust on the passenger side front quarter (where they all rust). Needs a new rear passenger fender. But it runs and stops!  Here are some old pictures from the Thing's previous life. I might go back to the original white paint:  |
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Post by 81pumagtc on Aug 18, 2015 14:49:20 GMT -5
Congratulations !
Great find!
Dave RIedle
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Ruffuss
1600dp
Posts: 2,795
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 19:13:16 GMT -5
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Post by Ruffuss on Aug 19, 2015 6:26:32 GMT -5
Saa....weeeeet! Named yet? Where did it live before you got it? Nice find!!
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gokart
1600dp
'67 Beetle - Ruby
Posts: 858
Joined: Sept 28, 2008 20:39:39 GMT -5
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Post by gokart on Aug 19, 2015 7:33:50 GMT -5
It lived in Bangor most recently. There is an '82 Chicago vehicle tax sticker on the windshield, and it had an old Illinois plate on the front (I got rid of that plate in a hurry). Attachments:
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vanapplebomb
1600dp
Posts: 869 
Joined: Jan 22, 2013 23:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by vanapplebomb on Aug 25, 2015 16:13:02 GMT -5
COOL! Nice score with the side vent covers. About half the Things I have seen are missing those.
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Ruffuss
1600dp
Posts: 2,795
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 19:13:16 GMT -5
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Post by Ruffuss on Aug 27, 2015 5:06:47 GMT -5
That's because only 74's and newer, came with the side pods(muffs,air scoops, etc) 73' and older did not. If a 73' or older has them they where add ons. Real ones are steel, repo's most likely are fiberglass. Just so you know.
By the way, only about 30,000 where imported to the US in 73' and 74' there where a few 75's but they where left over 74's renumbered. Also they where built from 1969 to 1980 in other markets mostly Germany, Mexico(where all US imports came from) and Brazil.
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vanapplebomb
1600dp
Posts: 869
Joined: Jan 22, 2013 23:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by vanapplebomb on Aug 27, 2015 10:56:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the history lesson. I didn't realize that early ones didn't come with them. I always just assumed they were missing.  |
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Ruffuss
1600dp
Posts: 2,795
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 19:13:16 GMT -5
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Post by Ruffuss on Aug 27, 2015 18:11:19 GMT -5
I could bore you for hours about Type 181's.
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vanapplebomb
1600dp
Posts: 869
Joined: Jan 22, 2013 23:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by vanapplebomb on Aug 27, 2015 18:50:12 GMT -5
Doubt it. Haha, most likely I would quite like it.
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Dunn Fabrication ( VDub63 )
40hp
Steven A.k.a Vdub63 "Your project isn't finished until it is DUNN"
Posts: 50
Joined: Jul 6, 2012 22:11:43 GMT -5
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Post by Dunn Fabrication ( VDub63 ) on Aug 28, 2015 6:04:55 GMT -5
I could bore you for hours about Type 181's. He could trust me ..... |
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vanapplebomb
1600dp
Posts: 869
Joined: Jan 22, 2013 23:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by vanapplebomb on Aug 28, 2015 13:06:17 GMT -5
Hahaha, I take it this happens to you?
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Dunn Fabrication ( VDub63 )
40hp
Steven A.k.a Vdub63 "Your project isn't finished until it is DUNN"
Posts: 50
Joined: Jul 6, 2012 22:11:43 GMT -5
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Post by Dunn Fabrication ( VDub63 ) on Aug 28, 2015 15:06:15 GMT -5
Hahaha, I take it this happens to you? I am his son ......... |
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vanapplebomb
1600dp
Posts: 869
Joined: Jan 22, 2013 23:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by vanapplebomb on Aug 29, 2015 1:04:36 GMT -5
fair enough As for the Thing, I think you should paint it the original white. There is a guy here in Holland who has a white Thing, and it looks awesome. A few rusty patches, but quite handsome considering. |
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Ruffuss
1600dp
Posts: 2,795
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 19:13:16 GMT -5
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Post by Ruffuss on Aug 29, 2015 3:32:52 GMT -5
Your orginal color choices where, white, green, orange or yellow. All satins near flat, no bright and shiney. Other colors are repaints.
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gokart
1600dp
'67 Beetle - Ruby
Posts: 858
Joined: Sept 28, 2008 20:39:39 GMT -5
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Post by gokart on Aug 31, 2015 8:44:22 GMT -5
My first Thing was green. It's a rare color, I didn't think it was original paint when I bought it until I did some research.
I will probably go back to white with the blue/green fade stripe on the bottom. I wish they hadn't done such a "good" job painting it gray. I'm going to have to paint under the hood, inside and out. But they left the dash white. Go figure?
But paint has to wait. Saturday I started pulling the front beam. It has a bad needle bearing (I hope). For now, I plan to install my old Beetle suspension. (Unless somebody has a spare Thing beam laying around. Hint Hint.)
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