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:

March is Thing Month.

Ok, it's not really Thing Month, but I haven't posted a silly post in a while, and there are some Things on the Samba that are still relatively inexpensive (and the usual crazy priced ones).  So, even though we all know that I've been trolling sites that list THings for years, I still haven't saved a dime towards buying one...

Nevertheless, here are some.

This yellow thing  for an asking price of $6500 is a pretty good deal, the work listed is pretty impressive (the brakes, for example) even if it still needs work. The days of a $2000 runner are long gone. **4/11 update, sold!**


Another 73, this nice looking (from a distance) white Thing is listed at $7500, but isn't ready to drive away. **4/11 update, down to $7350**

Stepping down in price, $4500, and noticeably worse, is this orange Thing with a dented fender. Still OK with me! **3/14 update, price down to $4000*** if only....  **4/11 update, back up to $4200!

Compare this to a Thing that's been on the Samba for several years. I post it here because I've been trolling these long enough to know that he started asking $2500 for this a while ago.

Now, it's $5500 FIRM. I laugh, I laugh, and yet wished I'd bought it when I wanted to 3 years ago.

This one used to be $5500 but is now $7500. Keep trying, dude.

This all reminds me of a green and white Thing that kept getting re-posted in Craigslist and The Samba for all kinds of prices.

I posted that laughing at the reposting , and I assume it finally got sold.

Welcome to Houston. Bored. Every. Night.

Argh, it's been forever since I've had much to say really. New job in a new city, but travelling back and forth home every week. That sucks, but the $$$ is good.

However, it's not my life's work, you know? I mean, as anyone that has been around me knows, I have no idea what my life's work is, but I know this (like so many other prior vocations) isn't it.

I am excited by the prospect of two purchases that the higher rate of pay may make possible, finally.

A Thing.

A DSLR? I've been thinking, after reading and following some photographers on instagram and tumblr and stuff that a mirrorless camera like the Fujifilm X series would be just right with the type of shooting I do with my iPhone. And then, one that I like in particular if for no other reason that he shoots the kind of stuff I like to shoot (only he's better at it), Robert-Paul Jansen, (instagram, tumblr, his site) writes this post where he has switched to a Nikon. Well, crap. (however, I see that he recently replied to a comment on that post that the Nikon and lens hurts his previously injured shoulder and he's switching back!)

Now, the X series can get pretty expensive, and I am not a pro (although I did sell a photo on Twenty20 once), the camera Jansen shoots with is the X-T1, about $1300, but I think something like the X-E2 or A2 is reasonable.

However, Chris Burkhard, who shoots nature the way I wish I could, is a Sony A7 guy. (instagram, tumblr, website) which is in the thousand dollar range.

Oh, and among those I follow on instagram is Ned Bunnell, former President of Ricoh Pentax Imaging Americas, who shoots mostly with his phone and a trusty Ricoh. Argh! Choices! Decisions! Great photographers! He's been comparing the Fujifilm X70 with his Ricoh lately on instagram, pretty interesting.

So, I clearly have some research to do, but I think I'm going mirrorless rather than full DSLR, especially after all the reading I just did to find all those links!

If, however, I go DLSR, it'll likely be a Canon, just because we've been shooting Canons for years. I still have my AE-1! (image not my actual camera)

I've said before, if I ever won the lottery, I'd just walk around taking pictures. I do anyway....

Oh, yeah, check me on

instagram

tumblr

flickr

twenty20

The Latest Group Of Vehicles I'd Like

The usual things are still drawing my attention, a non running 73 for $2500 Ebay link

and an orange 73 for $3500, (**SOLD** i suppose, ad is deleted) maybe the best deal here:

"1973 VW Thing. Cranks, runs, drives. Vehicle was used to ferry my kids around at our hunting property.They are now grown and I prefer to walk. Thing was stored inside for last 20 years. It is complete other than steering wheel ring and sun visors. I have a new top, in the box, from The Thing Shop in Arizona that will go with the car.

It has a noticeable shimmy between 45 and 50 mph and will need ball joints. It pops out of reverse but will go backwards when necessary. Floor pans are 80% or so."

This is rough, for 2000 "1973 vw thing no title but will give bill sale engine is locked up from sitting no water: engine never been removed gas heater complete $2000.00 or best offer"

Here's a nicer orange 73 asking a fair $4500

"Bought this last year and put about 200-250 miles on it (drove great until the carb started acting up). only needs a new carburetor to be fully functioning and to enjoy this summer not a huge project. comes with soft door tops and the top frame(no canvas). Very little rust!! comes with a bill of sale"

This is also a good deal, in my estimation:  also asking $4500, "The car is currently not running but was running when it was put into storage 7 years ago. There is no battery in the car currently as it was removed when it failed. It was running just fine when stored but the transmission was having trouble with 3rd gear.

I drove it for 2 years with this problem by adapting to not using 3rd gear. I acquired a used replacement transmission to replace it, but have not installed it, and it is included with the car."

and over in Indy is a nice red "1973 VW Thing. Alabama car no rust runs but has been sitting no title bill of sale only $4000 OBO" ***Dec 2014 update, now asking $5000*****

 

I'd take this camper for $3000 as well.

but, I do have to admit that I have started looking at another old favorite, the MG: These are plentiful at reasonable prices. If I actually owned my Camry (it's in my wife's name), I'd be attempting a trade already....

close to home for $2000:

Also close to home for $3500, "Very good condition, no rust, good tires, 4 speed transmission, Has top and full tonneau cover, new spare clutch still in the box, spare tire and jack, new radiator." 

Cheap at $3000 in town, at prices like these, I need to rethink my Thing obsession:

I'm not gonna bother with pictures, but here's 2 MGs for $1650 one of which will drive today, if you don't mind no passenger seat....

This is fantastic, $3500 but "make an offer?" You have to be kidding, compared to what Things are asking? **now asking $2800!!!!****

Lastly, for $2100. OBO? Seriously? I think my daughter needs one. "1977 mg midget, runs and drives 
things that need to be fixed ..the radio ,horn, the turn signal piece I have a new one to replace it"

I remain interested in motorcycles, maybe moreso now that I have actually had a chance to ride a dirt back (slowly) in my back yard.

a nice Kawasaki locally for $1750 obo

I really like older bikes, the new styling just doesn't appeal to me, nor do I want a crotch rocket, so this 1971 Honda CB 350 asking all of $600 OBO is my style:

$650 for a Honda Scrambler is fine, 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!

Some More Friday things

I like this ad, actually. Maybe not the Things described (although I could be swayed), but here's the whole ad:

1973 VW Thing Pair of Two Type 181 - $1100 (Annandale, VA)

I will assume that if you opened this Craigslist ad you know what a VW Thing is. I have two of them, both in non-running condition, with title. Both 1973 and the last active registrations for both were in Oklahoma in 1992. Since 1992 they have been transported to Pennsylvania, Delaware and since 2000 both have been in Virginia. One is currently garaged and one is covered in my driveway. 

I want to be clear, these are projects, not driveable cars. 

Manual transmission, no air conditioning, air-cooled vw engine. 

Both will, at a minimum, need tops (they have tops, but in need of repair or replacement), floorboard repair, tires and batteries in addition to the usual work required of cars that have not been driven in more than 20 years (although the garaged one was run--not driven--in 1999). 

Only one has the original gasoline eberspracher heater. 

Two tow bars are included with the sale. One tow bar mounts to the bumper and the other tow bar is the type that attaches to the front axle of a vw. 

The vehicles are located in Annandale, VA inside the beltway. They can be shown on a nice day (seemingly rare lately!). 

Pictures, where are the pictures? Well, when the weather gets nicer, I suppose I can take some pictures but, until then, no pictures so please don't ask. If you're seriously interested, you can make arrangements to come take a look with your own eyeballs. 

The price is for the pair and not splitting them up so please don't ask if you can purchase just one. If one's good, two is even better!

All initial coordination will be done by email. There will be time to talk on the phone or in-person later.


Two cars for $1100 (which I don't have, but still....) isn't a bad deal. I will check back for photos!

Next, in Ocala Florida, $3500. If I find a pile of cash, this is on my route home from spring break! Dreaming, that's not gonna happen!

I generally prefer Things stock, or close, but this one (which is pretty close to stock) is cool, at $8500:

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.

Drive a VW Thing!

It's Been A While Since Things

I wasted some valuable work time looking at Things via searchtempest on cragislist from around the nation (**update** all but the one I call the "pick of the litter" are no longer available! Other people like these, too, you know). First, some with no photos:

Here's one that says $1100, and there's no way that's right, if you read the description. (new link) Seriously, “…like new. The interior is black and exterior is pastel white all original new top, tires, brakes, bearings, generator, seats, tune up, new carburator, shocks, wiper motor,master cylinder, alignment parts, front tow hitch, headlamps, tail lamps and horn, The original windows are in the its original packages that go in the front compartment” is not $1100, it's $11000.... 

and there's this one:

73 Thing - Very good engine, starts &runs good. Has gas heater that looks like new. Need new conv. top & floorpans (new pans w/car). Orange , 85 k orig . mi. $3000  (my edit, he's now asking $2600 $2400!!!!) This is a fair deal, it seems.

Now, for $5000:

Or is it $5300? same phone number....

Here's a runner in Tampa, for a decent price if you like rusty Things. This and a parts Thing for $4250, not bad at all:

My pick of the litter, actually. No top is fine with me, a deal and a half at $3500. Cape Cod is a long way away.

"I quess my starting price of $4000 was over the top,I will reduce the asking price and listen to reasonable offers. My wife is bugging to sell this. Young girls are not included in the sale. 1973 orange Thing 55,000 miles,starts ,idles and runs smoothly,new motor parts,solid muffler and some brake lines replaced. Good clutch and trans,shifts easily. Some typical rust. Newer tires,have jack and tire removal accessories,side windows and top frame also. Good winter project. Parts are plentiful for restoration." 

******It's on Ebay now, January of 2014. I wish I had money!********

Last is a parts/needs a lot of restoration Thing for $850.   Sorry, the link is dead for this one, too. 

"73 rusty thing with lots of good original parts, I have no paperwork, the engine is locked up from sitting. This can be towed with a tow dolly. I am not parting it out! The engine is original thing case with gravel guard. One seat is missing ,the other is shot, rockers are shot. No title."

$5900? Each? You Can't Be Serious!

Found these at a little lot in town, no one was there, so I took some pictures and opened some doors. When I called, the lady said $5900 for either. Yellow didn't run when they got it, does now: orange is how it arrived. Neither are worth that kind of money, just the poor paint jobs (with obvious bondo work in the rear of the rockers under the rear doors.

The pictures from the site make the yellow look a lot better than it does in person! Of the two, though, I'd take the yellow for a couple of reasons, but  mostly, the rockers on the orange have been covered with something that was screwed in place, plus there was rust in the wheel wells: all very typical, but it means there are hidden woes.

It was a surprise to me, wanting one but never having sat in one, that you are stepping over the threshold to get in and sit in a way that modern cars don't really make you do. Maybe that was because the seats in the yellow one are pretty beat? 

Bro-in-law the car guy called and offered $4000. He was too drunk after a football game and a concert to say much more.