1974 Volkswagen Thing (Type 181)

The Thing is what happens when you take a military utility vehicle and sell it to beach towns. Based on the WWII Kubelwagen design, VW updated it for the '60s and '70s as a recreational vehicle. In America, it became a cult item for exactly two years before failing new safety standards. That brief window and the quirky design created instant collector appeal. The Thing is the ultimate beach cruiser — doors off, top down, completely impractical, and absolutely joyful.

Things were beach cars and should look it. The simple body panels develop honest wear. The floors rust if you leave the top off in rain (people do this). The removable everything means gaps that let weather in. A well-used Thing tells the story of every beach trip, every convertible-weather day, every impractical adventure. Over-restoration makes them look strange; let them age.

Beetle mechanicals mean parts are everywhere. The air-cooled engine is simple and well-understood. But the body panels and Thing-specific trim are scarce and expensive. Rust is the enemy — the flat floor pans hold water. The highway cruising experience is terrifying (46 horsepower, wind, and trucks). But around town, with the doors off and the top down, nothing else feels like this.