1973 Volkswagen Thing

1973 Volkswagen Thing — EV West Electric Conversion with Bilstein Suspension and J1772 Charge Port

The 1973 Volkswagen Thing is already a rare vehicle by any measure. Volkswagen produced the Type 181 — sold in the United States as the Thing — for only four model years in this market, from 1973 through 1974, and import numbers were relatively small. The Thing was originally developed at the request of the German military as a civilian-legal version of the Kubelwagen concept, and its flat-panel, folding-door body design reflected that utilitarian DNA directly. What you see is what you get with a Thing: no pretense, no excess, just a purpose-built open-air vehicle with a personality that no other car on the road can match.

This particular 1973 Volkswagen Thing takes that already-distinctive platform and adds a layer of engineering that very few examples in existence can claim. The original air-cooled flat-four has been removed and replaced with an EV West electric motor, one of the most respected names in the classic car EV conversion space. EV West, based in California, has built a reputation for high-quality electric drivetrain components designed specifically for vintage vehicle applications. The result here is a 1973 Volkswagen Thing that retains its original character — the open top, the fold-flat windshield, the jump seats, the spartan aesthetic — while eliminating the maintenance demands of a nearly 55-year-old internal combustion engine. No carburetor to rebuild. No points to set. No oil leaks to manage. Just charge it and drive it.

What makes this conversion particularly well-executed is that it was not done at the expense of the car's mechanical integrity. The undercarriage photos tell the real story: the floorpan is clean and solid, the chassis tubes are properly coated, and the Bilstein shock absorbers are visible on all four corners — a damper brand that VW enthusiasts have trusted for decades in air-cooled applications. The body is rust-free, which on a 1973 Thing is a genuine accomplishment and a prerequisite for any serious investment in a vehicle of this type.

The "E" at the end of the partial VIN sequence identifies this as a vehicle assembled at the Puebla, Mexico facility, which is where Volkswagen built all Things destined for the North American market. That factory provenance is consistent with a US-spec car, confirming this is the correct North American configuration.

Key details
Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
VIN / chassis: 1832839858E

Offered by Skyway Classics, 14805 Venture Dr, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Skyway Classics.