Volkswagen 181 I (Typ 181) gallery (1969–1983)
The Volkswagen 181 was a utilitarian open-top rear-wheel-drive vehicle produced from 1969 to 1983, known in the US as 'The Thing'.
The Volkswagen 181 rear-wheel-drive utility vehicle with body code Typ 181 was manufactured from 1969 to 1983. Conceived initially for the West German military, it gained wide civilian popularity marketed as the Kurierwagen in West Germany, 'The Thing' in the United States, and the Safari in Mexico. Built using a widened floorpan shared with the Karmann Ghia, it featured removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a detachable soft top.
Power was provided by rear-mounted 1.5-liter and 1.6-liter air-cooled flat-four engines delivering 44 hp to 50 hp, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Front suspension used torsion bars while early models incorporated reduction-gear rear axles. Over 90,000 units were produced globally.
