It's Back! the Green and White Thing from Craigslist!

OMGOODNESS!!!!

This Thing has been on and off for sale for years, and it's back with what I can only assume is a joke price!!!!!!

I have posted about it as recently as March sarcastically (at the bottom) which referenced this old post.

Which as you can see referenced yet another older post if you can believe it.

Good Lord Above, I've been trolling for Things for a looooong time.


At least he took new photos:

May is Bus Month?

I usually post about the venerable VW Thing, my current dream car (ok, I've been pining for quite a while)...

Today, I used my go-to searchtempest to see what's for sale on craigslist and found some good ones. If you are looking for a VW Bus, let me say that as a former owner and longtime lurker on The Samba.com and elsewhere, these are very reasonable deals!

First, a local bus for $7000 that's slightly overpriced with the clear holes in the driver's floor, but generally appears to be worth it:

Another Ohio candidate for comparison in a little better shape inside asking $9500, about where the market is right now (especially with a complete interior).

On the lower end of things is a very affordable but rougher than I would want (even though it's running) 71 bus for $3000 down south. If I was 20, I'd buy this today.

For comparison, $3000 can get you this.


In the $2000 range, you get a mystery wrapped in an enigma:

Yuck.

Now, this is nice and at $6400 it's a great deal. If you are looking for a bus, buy this one, even though it's brown! LOL.

This doesn't show the interior, but if it's there at all, this $6300 running van is the best deal on a camper you're likely to see:

Other than maybe this deal on thesamba for $5900. If I had the cash, I'd already be headed to Virginia.

Another contender at $6500 is this blue bus in New Jersey, but the lack of interior photos or closeups scares me a little.

Lastly, this is so cool. $24,000, and that's reasonable for a single cab in this condition!

I'm In Texas, Still Looking At Things!

So, the dream continues (I really feel like I need to reward myself for being away from everything I want to be near chasing these dollars) as I sit alone in a hotel in Texas.

Here are some VW Things in my price range:

For $3000 is this Thing that needs work on its transmission: Austin, TX

oooh, artsy with the color correction...

Here's one in Ft. Lauderdale for $3450, claiming "needs a complete restoration..."

"1974 VW Thing Running and Driving. This Thing has the optional Roll Cage and has lived in the Bahamas for the past 20 years. Now in Fort Lauderdale but in total need of cosmetic restoration. Luckily every part is available in catalogs. And an added bonus, restored Things are bringing top dollars. 
Asking $3,450.00 Title is now in hand but please understand this "Thing" needs complete restoration"

asking $4500 with no pictures in New Ulm, TX is a "type 181 great starter car... body, interior and motor in good shape...very rare car,only 12,000 allowed to come in the U.S. in 1973 and 1974.. It's a all original car... call and come see....I can send you pics if your interested...thanks for your time...."

Here's one I actually emailed a guy about here in Houston, asking $3500 for a 73. He says "This car needs pans and brakes, it does run and has new motor mounts and transmission mounts. 
It comes with seats and top frame and side window cores. I can send lots more pictures, but the car is a project and priced accordingly. It should not be considered a candiate for restoration, but will be enjoyable as a driver. 
It does have an external oil cooler installed by the PO. 
high res photo album link 
https://goo.gl/photos/KvE6iDzRJN4jtpjD7 "

I'm not sure why one "enjoyable as a driver" would not be a candidate for restoration, but whatever!

I asked him "I was wondering how far away this is from being a driver? I'd love to see the additional photos you mentioned, I'm working 4 days a week in Houston for the year and have been considering finding something to kick around town in! I have to say your warehouse looks amazing, if there are any times a guy could just pop in and wander with a stupid grin on his face, that'd be cool, too, as long as it wouldn't be wasting your time. 

Thanks, "  and he replied, "here is a link to a few of the project things

https://goo.gl/photos/P7EjnR9YpdBZNKJV6

yes you can come and wander the halls during the week between 10-4

You can see in person what photos never show, so just come, bring flashlight and old clothes."  

Make of that what you will, but check out his warehouse of stuff....

Stepping up to the $4000 level is this Thing from near Madison WI.   "1974 VW thing. Ran when I parked it in my shop last year..all it does is sit there. Runs drives. Everything is there. No time to invest into it any longer. Floors are shot. Will consider trades. Always wanted a good running pre 64 beetle... 4000 or best offer. Looking to stop paying shop rent. Things are rare. Might not get another chance like this..... clean title in hand"

There are plenty of jokes online about "ran when parked" but this is okay looking. Floors are a few hundred per side, so add $5-600 for that after the fact. Best seats so far!

Pretty good round up!  I have some other toys I'm interested in, but I'll save those for another post...

VW THING THURSDAY!! I'ts Been A While....

So, I just found this Thing on Craigslist, which looks awfully familiar...

Asking $9000???????????

Seems like yesterday he was asking a LOT less..... $3800 or $3600 depending upon the post. Wow.

"This one has been hanging around on CL for a while, with several different links, and photos and prices.....

1974 VW THING
Needs body work
runs
White with Green Fenders
BLACK SEATS
No top
Collectible
$3.600.00
FIX UP BIG $$$ RETURN
NO E-MAILS OR TEX ONLY PHONE CALLS
JOE (239) 249-0128

I've posted it before, too."

Wednesday Can Be a Thing Day?

Too lazy right now to post pictures, but searchtempest revealed a bunch of new Things priced all over the place!

Here are links to several under $6000

$3000 in Missoula (i have posted this one, but old link went dead)

$3200 in St. Louis

$4800 in San Luis Obispo

$5500 in New Braunfels (dead link, must have sold)

$5800 in Fayetteville AR (dead link, must have sold)

$5800 in Vassalboro ME

Enjoy!

Bored, So, Things....

Okey Dokey, I should be working, but here are some things for today. As always, don't forget to check out The Samba.com

The one that was for sale locally is gone, sadly, but here are some contenders: damaged, but cheap ($3000)

$2500 is Cheap, but not running and faaaaar away from me, like the first one:

This one has been hanging around on CL for a while, with several different links, and photos and prices.....

1974 VW THING
Needs body work
runs
White with Green Fenders
BLACK SEATS
No top
Collectible
$3.600.00
FIX UP BIG $$$ RETURN
NO E-MAILS OR TEX ONLY PHONE CALLS
JOE (239) 249-0128

I've posted it before, too.

 $3800

 or $3600

Santa Fe has this to offer at $2000:

and lastly, the closest one to me, pretty fairly priced at $3950

Here's a $500 thing that needs floors and tires and.... Pictures are so bad, I'm not posting any.

Morning Things

It's Friday morning and it's been a busy work week, so here is my morning diversion!

This dusty Thing is in Laramie, Wyoming, a great place, and it's $4900. Dude, Hose it off and ask $5500. I'd get it on a lift, media blast the pan, and quadruple coat it. This is a bargain.

This is: clean and $5500, clean sells better. Both Things are a good deal, buyers! A lot closer to me, if I rob a bank or win a lottery soon. I could use a trip to Laramie, though....

oooh, i've been watching this one, he was asking $4200 on craigslist, now BO. I wish I had cash!

Uhm, No. Not ever.

Here's a new entry , at $4500 a deal as well (I should check my lottery ticket to see if I won). 

Tuesday June 25th add-on: asking $750, a cheapie that needs a lot of stuff:

and there's this from a Forum on thesamba

"So I have an friend of the family that has a bunch of VW's in a field here in MO and I called him out of the blue and asked what ll he has, he said he has a "Thing sitting out there with a rebuilt engine, doors were taken off and stored inside with top, some body work and where you sit is rusted, but overall in good condition and would like to get $500 for it (my dad says he'll probably give it to me if I wanted it that bad)". I have never worked on cars and know very little but think it would be fun to spend a lot of money on a car and get away from the misses for a little. I have looked at the "what to look for thread" and its very helpful and when I go look at it this weekend I will keep it in mind but I wanted to see if there was anything else to ask on the car to help get some info. Also like the title says, what did you pay for your thing and what condition is it in.

 Here is what he had. Let me know your thoughts 

 
 
 
 

He has the doors and top under cover and say theyre in good shape. Let me know what you think"

"...he ended up saying he would take $100 for it but I do not want to get in that deep with something."

The consensus is that it's not worth it (with one or two that disagree) but that's right in my price range....