YOU DON’T SEE THOSE EVERY DAY...
VW TYPE 181
88 Classic Car Mart Spring 2016
Although it was sold here offi cially for a few years, you’re unlikely to see a full UK-spec Trekker anywhere outside a VW show. Quite a few have been
imported from Europe and the USA though and this left-hand drive car at Beaulieu Garage is a 1971 example sporting the later 1600cc engine.
Finished in a suitable camoufl age green colour it’s fully UK registered with proper weather gear and makes an intriguing alternative to the current
enthusiasm for Land Rovers. More details ate http://www.beaulieugarage.co.uk or on 01590 612999.
WE FOUND ONE...
O
ften erroneously referred to as a
Kübelwagen, VW’s Type 181 went
by many different names around the
world including VW Thing in the USA,
VW Safari in Mexico and VW Trekker in the UK.
Non-VW people could be excused for
confusing the vehicle with the wartime
Kübelwagen since they share a similar silhouette
and both are built on the Beetle’s platform
chassis. Both are also just two-wheel drive, the
weight of the rear engine over the driving wheels
giving them excellent traction. Like the early
VW Transporter, hub reduction gears were also
used to improve ground clearance and that fl at
fl oorpan design allowed it to slide over rougher
ground when required.
The Type 181 (or Type 182 in right-hand
drive, to be correct) was developed in the ’60s
to a brief by the Bundeswehr which required
a light cross-country vehicle. Volkswagen was
enlisted for the development work and since
the army wanted only 15,000 vehicles the
fi rm developed a civilian spin-off to offset the
development costs.
The chassis used was actually the beefi er
Karmann-Ghia fl oorpan and while 4x4 was never
offered, a locking rear differential was an option
and power came from the 1500cc Beetle motor,
later upgraded to a 44bhp low-compression
version of the 1600. With a fabric roof, removable
side screens and a fold-fl at windscreen, the 181
made a great leisure vehicle for sunnier climates
and was produced in Germany until 1978, after
which production continued in Mexico until 1980.
Total production amounted to 26,531 complete
cars and 55,175 CKD kits.