1973 VW Thing (Type 181) 4145
The 1973 Volkswagen Thing was the first model year offered in the United States, bringing the military-inspired Volkswagen Type 181 to North American drivers. With its rugged open-body design, removable doors, folding windshield, rear-mounted air-cooled flat-four engine, gas-burning Eberspacher auxiliary heater, door-mounted passenger mirror, early taillights, and U.S.-specific front turn signals, the 1973 VW Thing remains one of the most distinctive air-cooled Volkswagens.
This page groups parts for the 1973 VW Thing, also known as the Volkswagen Type 181, depending on your vehicle and catalog fitment. CIP1 offers a large selection of 1973 Volkswagen Thing parts and accessories, including engine parts, brake parts, suspension parts, rubber seals, electrical components, body trim, interior parts, exterior parts, lighting parts, heater parts, wheels, top parts, and vintage VW restoration components.
Browse parts for your 1973 VW Thing and keep your classic Volkswagen on the road with confidence, whether you are maintaining a driver, replacing worn original parts, repairing the gas heater system, or planning a full air-cooled VW restoration.
More about the 1973 VW Thing
Factory-style details
- Volkswagen Type 181, sold as the Thing in the United States
- Rear-mounted air-cooled flat-four engine
- 1600cc engine commonly associated with U.S. Thing models
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Removable doors
- Folding windshield
- Gas-burning Eberspacher auxiliary heater mounted under the front hood
- Passenger-side exterior mirror mounted on the door
- Early Thing taillights
- U.S.-only larger front turn signals
1973 Thing notes
- First model year for the Volkswagen Thing in the U.S. market
- 1973 models used a standalone gasoline-burning auxiliary heater
- The passenger-side mirror was mounted on the door
- Front turn signal lenses are noted as larger U.S.-specific units
- Windshield folds flat onto the hood and the doors are removable
- Body, trim, heater, mirror, lighting, engine, suspension, and electrical details can vary by production date and market
