£9,152 • £10,000 - £15,000
1978 Volkswagen Type 181 Trekker ‘The Thing
United Kingdom • 7 Mar 2026 • Lot 110
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This 1978 Volkswagen Type 181 'The Thing' has been recently restored, featuring a fresh soft top, reupholstered interior, and new tires. While it presents in extremely good condition, there is some minor bubbling on the rear body section.
Condition
8
The car is described as being freshly restored and in extremely good condition throughout. There is mention of very minor bubbling to the rear body section, but it's isolated, and the rest of the car is rust-free. It has a new soft top, new interior upholstery, and Yokohama tires with plenty of tread. This suggests a well-maintained vehicle with minimal cosmetic imperfections.
/ 10
[Transmission]
Transmission:
1832943264
Chassis No:
Odometer:
58,899 miles
XUX 998S
Reg Number:
RHD/LHD:
LHD
Year: 1978 Make: Volkswagen Model: Type 181 Trekker ‘The Thing’ Registration: XUX 998S Chassis No: 1832943264 Engine No: 181261105 Odometer: 94,790 The VW Type 181 goes by a number of names around the world, including ‘Trekker’ in the UK, and, curiously, ‘The Thing’ in the USA.
It was originally created as a military vehicle for the German army but was also sold to the general public amassing quite a following amongst enthusiasts.
Type 181’s are all lefthand drive and based on a VW Karmann Ghia floorpan with Beetle mechanics.
It also benefitted from a simple and utilitarian interior featuring durable materials that could withstand numerous outdoor activities, capable of traversing sandy beaches, muddy trails and rocky terrain.
This Mexican-built (under license) example has clearly been freshly restored and presents in extremely good condition throughout, in ‘Sunshine Yellow’ a UK-specified colour.
Fresh from a private collection in the Middle East, there is unfortunately virtually...
Points of note
£5,326
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£15,738
Median Price (Since 2020)
£39,856
Highest Price (Since 2020)
World Record
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