The Type 181, known as the Trekker here in RHD form (Type 182) – and the ‘Thing’ in the US – is a rugged, fun, go anywhere open top four-seater based on Beetle running gear. But did you know there have been a number of even funkier variants, including a two-door?
The story of the ‘European Jeep’ began in the early 1960s, when various countries worked on the development of a lightweight, amphibious four-wheel drive vehicle that could be massed produced for use by a number of different armies across the continent. As usual though, no one could agree on the exact specification and the whole affair took much longer than anticipated. Basically, Germany couldn’t wait and VW, recognising there could be some commercial benefit in developing such a vehicle (Mexican customers, in particular, had shown an interest in buying something that could handle tracks better than a Bug), cracked on with the project. The first Type 181 for military use broke cover in 1968.
It used the wider floorpan from the Karmann Ghia with Beetle running gear and reduction gearing from an older transporter before switching to McPherson struts in the 1970s. The first ‘Safari’ went on sale to the general public in Mexico in 1971, the US had their ‘Thing’ a year later, and briefly over here in 1975 we had the Trekker. They were gradually phased out and replaced, for military use at least, by the Type 183 Iltis in the early ‘80s.
When it comes to looks, arguably ‘Things’ can only get better when they come with two doors not four – which is why we were excited to learn that Karmann actually had its own two-door version of the Type 181. It was called the Gipsy and featured a glass reinforced plastic two-door body and folding windscreen. But get this, it was initially developed in 1965 and the one in the picture dates from 1970, which pre-dates the commercially available Thing and Trekker!
Another funky looking two-door version of the Type 181, made in Uruguay this time, was available in kit form. Called the Pingo (below), it too featured bodywork made from GRP and it shared much of the visual appeal of the original such as the corregated sides but but had just two doors, not four. It’s thought that just 12 such vehicles were made – so it’s ultra rare too.
Finally, if you do fancy a right-hand drive Trekker but like the idea of something even more different – how about the Camat? Again, it was sold in kit form but was made specifically for the Indonesian market – hence having the steering wheel on the right side of the car for the UK!
Either way, any of these tough all-terrain vintage Dubs would likely prove a hoot to own and a heck of a lot of fun all year round…
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage