1974 Volkswagen Baja Thing for Sale

1974 Volkswagen Thing Baja

Please refer to my current Hemmings Ad with additional photos and a video:

1974 VW Baja Thing Overview

* Getting ready to buy and install a Fitech Go Street EFI 2 Barrel Kit - 400 HP System - 39001 from Dunebuggy Warehouse. It is a versatile EFI system with built-in ECU, fuel pressure regulator, and four 55 lb/hr injectors and one of the easiest self-learning throttle body fuel injection kits which recently became available for sale for VW Type 1 Engines. This kit is good for 70-400 HP applications and is a complete EFI kit ready to bolt on.

If you want to get a really good deal on my Thing with its Redline Weber Carb currently mounted on the intake manifold please make me an offer. I'm very negotiable right now. However, if you want to wait you can get the first or one of the first VW Things anywhere in the country with this all new modern compact and completely self contained fuel injection system.

Recently invested more money on significant upgrades for my Thing which are listed near the bottom of this description. I will consider all offers! It's now almost fully restored and like having a brand new and improved Thing! My Baja Low Mileage Thing has its original Body Panels, Floor Pans, Doors, Fenders, Trunk Lid, Engine Deck Lid, Convertible Top and Hard Top.
If you want a plain stock looking under powered VW Thing then this one is not for you. However, if you want an exhilarating, fun to drive, high performance, safe to drive, slightly, but, tastefully modified VW Thing then this is the one for you! What I have for sale is a new and improved low mileage VW Baja Thing with about 62,000 original miles, and is not a Rust Bucket nor a Bondo Buggy. It's one of the nicest Things you'll find anywhere and definitely one of the best you'll find east of the Mississippi River. The engine has a high performance camshaft and crankshaft which makes it have almost twice as much power as a stock VW Thing's Type 1 Engine! Also, the Engine Block is the best Type 1 Engine Block and is a late 1970's Super Beetle Fuel Injected Engine Block. My Thing starts, idles, drives, shifts and brakes very well.
Actually, my Thing is extremely rare because the original color is Avacado Green and a very small number of Thing's with this color were imported into the USA for one year - 1974. Who ever buys my Thing might want to consider repainting it back to its original Avacado Green color. However, the current color is actually a very unique custom, but, pleasing to look at Maroon/Grape color. I've only seen one other Thing with a Maroon color so my car definitely stands out!
It's been well maintained by a certified VW Mechanic who knows VW air cooled engines. I've had a lot of work done to my Thing since I purchased it and have bought many parts for it; many of them are OEM Parts or are VW Factory Option and VW Approved Dealer Factory Option components from The Thing Shop in Arizona. I have all the receipts for everything including a new VW Thing Owner's Manual and complete Service Manual.
The list of parts I've purchased and all work I've done to my Thing since I bought it about 3.5 years ago is too long to mention everything. Here are some of the highlights: The previous Winter I had my mechanic remove the engine and go through it thoroughly whereby he replaced all the critical seals, adjusted the valves and tuned the carb. My mechanic readjusted the valves and installed a new European made Redline Weber Double Barrel Progressive Carb and larger Intake Manifold recently with new Rubber Intake Manifold Boots. I've only used Valvoline VR1 High Temperature Racing Oil in my Thing's engine since I purchased it and have changed the oil every six months including just recently. Just recently had my mechanic remove the engine again and installed new Motor Mounts, Transmission Mount, Main Seal, Exhaust Manifold Gaskets, Kennedy High Performance Clutch Disc and Fly Wheel, Throw
Out Bearing with new Retaining Clips, Throw Out Bearing Fork Shaft, Clutch Operating Lever with Cable.
New Engine Parts:

• Pertronix USA Made Distributor with the Flame Thrower Electronic Ignition Module and matching Flame Thrower Coil - installed
• Voltage Regulator - Recently removed because I installed a new 55 AMP Alternator with a built in Voltage Regulator and the external one I removed will come with car if you want it. I bought the external Voltage Regulator and installed it about 2 years ago. High Performance Bosch Spark Plugs - installed
• High Performance Beck Arnley Low Resistance Silicone Jacket Spark Plug Wires - installed
• Optima Red Top Dry Cell Battery - installed
• High Quality High Performance Earl's Aluminum Fuel Filter - just installed
• Fuel Lines - just installed Teflon coated one from hard line through the fire wall to the fuel pump, just installed steel braided fuel hose with aluminum fittings from Fuel Pump to new Redline Weber Progressive Double Barrel Carb
• High Quality Electric Fuel Pump - just installed
• K&N High Performance Racing Air Filter - just bought and installed it
• High Performance Tri Mil Ceramic Coated Exhaust System - installed
• Heavy Duty Danish Made Dansk Heat Exchangers - installed
• $210 Large Heavy Duty Commercial Grade German Made Rebuilt Bosch Starter which was rebuilt by Robert Bosch Corp. and purchased from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• Rubber Engine Bay Seals which attach to and go around the edge of the Engine Tin Plates - installed
• Weber Double Barrel Progressive European made Carb made by Redline - installed recently
• Rubber Intake Manifold Boots - new ones installed recently when new Weber Carb and new larger Intake Manifold were installed
• Larger Intake Manifold - installed recently
• Motor Mounts - installed recently
• Transmission Mount - installed recently
• Main Seal - installed recently
• Exhaust Manifold Gaskets - installed recently
• Kennedy High Performance Clutch Disc and matching Flywheel - installed recently
• Sachs Throw Out Bearing - installed recently with Kennedy Clutch Disc and Flywheel
• New High Performance Custom Spectre Performance and K&N Cold Ram Air Induction System - Recently purchased and just removed it and installed new K&N High Performance Racing Air Filter

Various Other New Parts:

• Rubber Window Seals for the Original Factory Hardtop - not installed yet - I'm going to install them when I repaint the Factory Hardtop. These seals will come with the car.
• Black Powder Coated Windshield with Green Tinted Glass purchased from The Thing Shop - just installed
• Rubber Top and Bottom Seals for the Windshield Frame - installed with new Windshield
• Chrome VW Badge - installed
• All the Heater Components and Control Parts from the engine bay, through the cabin, to up under and behind the dash - installed
• Black Powder Coated Fuel Tank from The Thing Shop which is exactly like the original OEM Fuel Tank - installed recently
• New Mesh Fuel Pre Filter Screen and New Sending Unit installed in New Fuel Tank
• Original Factory OEM Ignition Switch - installed recently
• Black Powder Coated Front Brush Bar - installed
• Black Powder Coated Rear Spare Wheel/Tire Carrier - installed
• Black Powder Coated Heavy Duty Nerf Bars which mount onto the bottom edge of the Rocker Panels - installed recently
• Black Powder Coated 7 Point Roll Cage with Full Padding Kit - installed
• Black Powder Coated Cargo Rack for front trunk lid - just installed
• Black Powder Coated Skid Plate - installed recently
• Tan Side Curtain Windows with sliding tempered glass and Storage Bags to protect them all from The Thing Shop - installed
• Stainless Steel Locking Gas Cap - installed
• Tan Bimini Top from The Thing Shop - not installed currently, but, will come with car
• Black Sun Visors from The Thing Shop - installed
• Black Leather Shift Stick Cover - installed
• German Made OEM Rubber Hand Brake Cover - installed recently
• Two Chrome Brackets which attach to top of Windshield Frame which go into Holding Brackets located on the Trunk Lid when the Windshield is put in the down position - installed
• Two Lower Brackets for the Bimini Top used for the latches - installed
• Lots of various Rubber Parts - Most parts have been installed and ones which haven't been installed will come with car
• Gaskets and Seals - Most parts have been installed and ones which haven't been installed will come with car
• Full Set Of Decals not applied yet - Planning to apply them after car gets repainted
• Dual Circuit Master Brake Cylinder for Disc Brake System whereby the whole brake system was bled and new brake fluid was added - installed recently
• EMPI Racing Suspension Driver and Passenger Seats - installed recently
• Corbeau 5 Point Racing Harnesses for Driver and Passenger Seats - installed recently
• 3 Point Seat Belts for front seats and 2 Point Belts for rear seat - 3 point belts removed when EMPI Seats and Corbeau Harnesses were installed
• Have original Low Back Seats in decent condition and replaced them with 1972 VW Bug High Back Seats in good condition - Original Low Back Seats High Back Seats will come with car if you want them
• Have what appears to be almost new looking original Seat Bottoms for the High Back Seats which will come with the car
• Also included is new old stock OEM German made Foam Insert Material for the High Back Seats - They really don't need the new Inserts, but, will include them with the car
• Cool Horse Blanket Seat Cover for Rear Seat - installed
• Tan Leather Padded Aftermarket Steering Wheel from Auto Pro USA with Brushed Aluminum Spokes and Horn Button with the VW Wolfsburg Logo and Aluminum Hub - installed
• Still have the Original Factory VW Super Beetle Steering Wheel in excellent condition which will come with the car if you want it Winshield Wiper Blades - installed
• Original Style OEM Front and Rear Black Rubber Floor Mats with holes and ribbed on bottom side - installed
• Coco Mats for Front and Rear Floors - Trunk Area - Rear Cargo Area - Rear Seat Backs and Glove Box - installed
• Wooden Duck Boards for Front and Rear Floors - Front ones installed and rear ones will also come with car
• 15 Inch Aluminum Alloy Baja Style Racing Wheels from Method Racing with BF Goodrich Grabber A/T Tires mounted on all four wheel hubs - installed recently
• Mounted 15 Inch Aluminum Alloy Baja Style Racing Wheel from Method Racing with a BF Goodrich Grabber A/T Tire on the Rear Spare Wheel/Tire Carrier. - installed recently
• Smiling Sun Wearing Sun Glasses Spare Wheel/Tire Cover - installed

Recent Upgrades:

• New - European made Double Barrel Progressive Weber Carb with Electric Choke by Redline including Heated Intake Manifold with Rubber Boots - installed recently
• New - 55 Amp Alternato from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• New - High Quality Precision Aluminum External Oil Filtration System from CB Performance and Large High Performance WIX Oil Filter - installed recently
• New - High Quality Aluminum Crank Case Breather Filtration System - received and getting installed ASAP
• New - EMPI Front and Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kits and Dual Circuit Brake Master Cylinder for Disc Brake System from JBugs - installed recently * My Thing now stops on a dime and has better braking capability than most cars on the road!* The original Drum Brake Components are in very good condition and will be included with car if you want them
• New - 4 High Quality Aluminum Alloy Baja Style 15" x 6.5" Wheels from Method Race Wheels - installed recently
• New - 4 High Quality BF Goodrich Baja AT K02 (215-75-R15) Tires - installed recently * Based on the extensive research I conducted it's the largest wheel and tire combination which can be installed on a stock Thing with stock fenders and without lifting it and without causing a problem * The original stock steel wheels are in very good condition and the tires mounted on them look like they're almost brand new and will come with car if you want them including the spare wheel and tire
• New - Black 2 Piece Bra to protect front of car - from The Thing Shop - removed and will come with car
• New - Heavy Duty Black Powder Coated Front Skid Plate from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• New - Bamboo Tray from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• New - Front and Rear Black Speaker/Kick Plate Panels from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• New - Rear Torsion Bars from The Thing Shop - Not installed yet and will come with car
• New - Set of Hard Top Mounting Brackets from The Thing Shop - Not installed yet and I'm waiting to repaint the Hard Top and install the new rubber window seals first before I install the new brackets
• New - H4 Hella Halogen Headlights from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• New - Chrome Headlight Trim Rings and Chrome Turn Signal Housings and Plastic Pieces from JBugs - installed
• New - Day/Night Rear View Mirror from The Thing Shop - installed recently
• New - KC Chrome Stainless Steel Slimlite Fog Lights with Amber Colored ABS Plastic Covers and Daylighter Yellow Smiling Face Padded Covers - installed recently
• New - Front Suspension - Four High Quality German made Meyle Ball Joints - installed recently
• Two High Quality Complete Italian made OCAP Tie Rod Assemblies - installed on 4-9-17
• New - Front and Rear Suspension - Complete set of High Quality Polyurethane Bushings from JBugs - received, getting installed ASAP and will come with car and correct Rubber Bump Stops from The Thing Shop - received and installed recently
• New - Set of High Quality German made Bilstein Heavy Duty Front and Rear Shocks - received and installed on 4-9-17
• New - Motor Mounts - installed recently
• New - Transmission Mount - installed recently
• New - Main Seal - installed recently
• New - Exhaust Manifold Gaskets - installed recently
• New - High Performance Kennedy Clutch Disc and Fly Wheel - installed recently
• New - Sachs Throw Out Bearing - installed recently
• New - Seals and Cap Seals for Transmission where the Drive Shafts are mounted - installed recently and new high quality Gear Oil was put into the Transmission
• New - Stainless Steel Mesh Head Light Stone Guards - just installed
• New - Front and Rear Mud Flaps with the VW Logo - getting installed very soon
• New - Spyderweb White Mesh Canopy Top installed recently to top of Thing Shop Roll Cage
• New - High Quality High Performance Precision Billet Aluminum Valve Covers from CB Performance - just purchased and will install them ASAP and will come with car

Other Noteworthy Info:
Everything works on my Thing and it has almost all its original Undercoating on the bottom side of the Floor Pan! Here's a list of noteworthy things I've done to improve it: My Thing was professionally rust proofed using a high pressure high quality sprayer and a combination of Rustoleum Rust Reformer first sprayed inside all the cavities and applied where appropriate, then POR 15 applied where appropriate and finally Flood Penetrol sprayed inside all the cavities. Also, I coated the whole trunk area, whole top side of the Floor Pan, inside and outside of the Rocker Panels with a high quality Rustoleum Rust Inhibitive Primer and Truck Bed Liner made by Herculiner. My Thing didn't have a lot of rust and this procedure was done only to protect it from developing rust issues. If I was going to keep my Thing I was planning to coat the whole underside of the Floor Pan with Rustoleum Rust Inhibitive Primer and Herculiner including the Wheel Wells. I have the original Baby Moon Chrome Hub Caps with the VW Logo in very good condition if you want them and will be included with car. It comes with its original black Convertible Soft Top in decent usable condition and an Original Black Factory Hardtop in very good condition! I have an Original Factory Stock Oil Bath Air Cleaner/Filtration System which will come with my Thing if you want it. I recently had a professional welding shop trim the fenders and I custom made and installed Bushwhacker Style Fender Flares. Car has a Clear Ohio Title.
There might be somethings I've forgotten to mention, however, I believe I've listed most everything which is noteworthy. My Thing isn't perfect and most Things aren't perfect from what I've seen. However, it's definitely better than most Things I've seen! I will submit more photos and even a video upon request.

Buyer is responsible for picking up vehicle after auction ends and full payment has been made or for the full actual cost to have it shipped. Bidders are welcome to schedule an appointment to see it in person and inspect it prior to placing a bid or to have a professional inspection company inspect it prior to paying for it after auction has ended.

Thanks for looking at this auction, my Hemmings Ad and for bidding! Please feel free to ask me any questions before you place a bid.