1973 VW Thing

[Sizzle Chest]

1973 VW Type 181 - Thing
Mileage unknown
Avocado Green
1500cc/46 HP

A client of mine has this cool VW Thing. He is planning on selling it soon and wanted it to look as good as it could prior to selling.

The paint was very cloudy, hazy, and full of swirls. It has been repainted and it had plenty of material to work with…it would have been the perfect candidate for some wet sanding, but he did not want to go that far. The top was ridiculously faded/sun burnt and needed a little attention. He stated it needed to be replaced, but I wanted to see what I could do!

I killed one of my Flex 3401’s on this and it will be getting sent back to Flex for repair!



Process/tools/chemicals/etc:
McKee’s37 914 rinseless wash.
Clayed via Griot’s medium mitt.
Clay lube DoDo born slippery.
DeFelkso PTG.
Scangrip lighting.
Misc. MF towels.
Flex 3401.
Rupes iBrid.
Misc. wool and foam pads.
Beta test heavy cut compound.
Beta test polish.
Beta test spray wax for LSP.
Beta test hybrid spray sealant for LSP.
(I wanted to try both of these products on this vehicle so each one got a section of the vehicle. Spray wax on the front end and the rest received a dose of the spray sealant.)
SCG Pro tire dressing.
Adam’s glass cleaner.
Metro vacuum.
The top received a healthy application of Auto Finesse Revive trim restorer and came out great!

Thanks for looking!



Before shots:


























After the first hit:

[Sizzle Chest]

Top before:








Left side started:





50/50:




Interior:

[Sizzle Chest]

Final shots:

[trashmanssd]

Awesome work on a cool but strange automobile. Please update with how Flex treats you.

[Coleroad]

It`s a shame they only made the Thing for only 73, and 74 in the U.S.. for such a bare bones basic vehicle, it was pretty awesome. Great job bringing it back to life.

[rlmccarty2000]

A great Thing! These always put a smile on my face. I hope he gets top dollar for it. So few remain. They would never pass all the safety BS today, it makes me wonder how I survived all these years before the government stepped in to protect me.

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks everyone!!!

[atgonzales]

Nicely Done...

[LEDetailng]

Won’t see many of these on this forum. Very unique and cool. The Thing hasn’t looked that good since 72.

[Swanicyouth]

Nice - I always liked these THINGS.

In fact, I knew I had a pic of me somewhere in one of these in Mexico we rented - maybe 20 years ago. This thread made me find it...

[Accumulator]

Sizzle Chest- Great work (of course), thanks for sharing this one.

Eh, but he`s gonna sell it huh? Hope the next owner takes good care of it.

[rlmccarty2000]

Swanic-sorry I accidentally hit dislike.

[Ronkh]

Nice !!!!

How much he want for it ?!?!?!

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks everyone! Very cool Swanic!

Accumulator: yeah, he has a few projects/cars and this is the one that is going to go first! Me too!

Ron, I will find out for you!

[RTexasF]

Wonderful work on a really horrid under powered death trap.