I Bought My Dream VW Thing... But What Now?

Second times the charm? I guess we'll have to wait and see! Things may be getting out of hand in this episode... haha.
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[@DLT-po6to]

In german we call this thing "Kübel" which means as much as bucket or tub in english. It's pretty much a boxy VW Käfer (Beetle) and was originally designed for the Bundeswehr, our military. Great to see that not only we love them. Funny little cars. Easy to maintain and very reliable.

[@davekimball3610]

If she were to find a Schwimmwagen, now that would be amazing!

[@DLT-po6to]

@@davekimball3610 Those go for at least 100.000,-€ even here in Germany. But you are right, they are absolutely awesome.

[@tt-rs1457]

Where do you come from. We here in germany calling the Thing 181er. Kübel was the VW 38 in a war ourfit and has nothing to do with the Thing.

[@DLT-po6to]

@@tt-rs1457East westphalia. We call the 181 Kübel over here, I have multiple customers who restore and collect them and buy their parts from me. I also produce hoses and brake lines for the original Wehrmacht Kübel/Schwimmwagen for a specialist in Dortmund. To be honest I'm not sure what you are talking about. The VW 38 was the early Brezelkäfer. The Kübel was based on that of course, but If you search for VW Kübel you'll get the VW 181. Doesn't matter if its Bundeswehr, Deutsche Post or whatever. We call all of them Kübel. I mean look at it, it is a bathtub with wheels.

[@DLT-po6to]

​@@tt-rs1457 East Westphalia. We Call them Kübel over here. I have multiple customers who collect and restore them and buy their parts froom me. I also produce hoses and brake lines for the original Kübel/Schwimmwagen for a specialist in Dortmund. To my knowledge I am the last to produce some of those brake lines. The point is - everyone i work with calls them VW Kübel. To be honest I don't really know what you are talking about. The VW 38 was the Brezelkäfer, the beetle with the split rear window. The 181 is based on the Käfer of course, but if you search for VW Kübel you"ll get the 181. Doesn't matter if it's Bundeswehr, Deutsche Post or whatever, we call all of them Kübel. I mean look at them - they look like a boxy bathtub on wheels.

[@lancenutter1067]

My dad bought one of those in 1975, and boy was my mom mad. He had gone to town with the 1962 Pontiac and came home with a 73 Thing. We spent quite a few years in that car, driving and towing a small trailer back and forth through Canada to Alaska, etc. We kids fought over the pouch as it was the only area slightly warm. Good times, good times…

[@donsmith8614]

you probably have fond memories of cruising around in it. what's heat in a vdub?

[@HHWheels]

Thank you for sharing this great story! I adore hearing about awesome experiences like this. It really makes my day! Thank you!!

[@lucybaker7813]

he must have bought one from 74 model year in 75 that they couldn't sell in 74

[@kenblank8044]

Caroline is the best narrator out there. James you and your wife are a saints for helping her.

[@tedmerrick935]

My dad had an orange 73 VW Thing. Loved that car and learned to drive stick shift with it. Was sad my dad sold it but it went to a good home and got completely restored to basically brand new.

[@VATION3RD]

If you use a paint brush and mineral spirits you can make that seam sealer smooth enough to paint over it, and you'll never notice it

[@HHWheels]

Great tip! Thx

[@dailyrider2975]

Family got a "Thing" in the early 80s as it was cheap and a easy way for my Mom to learn to stick shift. So easy to drive. Slow, LOUD, but went to Colorado and back from California without a issue on one family trip (needed 2 vehicles as family from Holland came over). I ended up with the "Thing" when I was old enough to drive. So, so, so FUN! Off road, minor jumps, unique look and convertible. High School was a blast with this as my car and going to Mexico allowed for new roof, seats and windows for a price I could afford at the time. Miss that car. Little scary in high gusty winds though as you could get pushed around at speed.

[@grifspop]

Type 4 Jeff really knows his stuff- You and James did a great job getting the pans and seats sorted out

[@ashleighelizabeth5916]

So glad I found your channel. I grew up in Eastern North Carolina, moved to Georgia and lived there for two decades and dated somebody from the SC upstate for close to a decade so I could sit and listen to your voice all day. It feels like home to me.

[@johneken2056]

Ordered a '73 sight unseen. Did everything you could to it (typical kid); factory roll cage, wide fenders to cover 10" Jackmans in rear and 8" front, stiffer torsion bars front and rear, Weber carb and custom exhaust. I put and aux. oil cooler with an electric cooling fan. Now the problems: the brakes pulsated, and VW had no idea. They took it to their headquarters in north Jersey and found the drums were not up to European specs. as they were produced in Mexico. They told me that they would mount, balance any wheel combo for me and then turn it on their drum grinder. The final happening was a cracked windshield that showed that they didn't use safety glass from the factory. They sent me to a Freightliner dealer who cut a flat truck windshield to replace it. Every "Thing" I've seen since has the same problem. People aren't happy when I point it out to them. Good luck with yours.

[@HHWheels]

Well that sounds like quite the adventure of strange events. Thanks for sharing & watching :)

[@kl0wnkiller912]

I had a thing back when I was in high school in the 70s. My friends and I used to go partying out in the hills with it. One time I got stuck on a sandy up hill. After looking at it and getting plastered for a bit I had the idea to just pick up the front end and turn it downhill. It worked. It had terrible understeer and we slid off into an arroyo and bent the front right wheel. Drove it around that way for a year, never even wore the tire much. Not much weight in the front of those things at all!

[@johnogan2386]

You need to get one of those hole punch tools that can also crimp the edges for that fit

[@freddymardiceii3273]

You totally deserve this Caroline!! Knowing you and being your friend makes me wanna get a Vdub! Great video and keep on making it legendary!! 🙌🤘😎❤ and I see the soap box car in the very background!! 😂 James is like the Mr. Rogers of the car community 🙏

[@HHWheels]

Hahaha! I love this comment :) Love ya, Freddy!!

[@chrismredsox1]

you should definitely get a vdub - I don't have a thing but do have 63 and 66 beetles and a 65 Karmann Ghia

[@BillySBC]

00:53 "Well she's yours now"... That's when I felt like "Oh no...".

[@HHWheels]

hahaha!

[@DeadwagonGarage]

Raptor liner is the bomb. I spray it with a hobo freight $10 gravity gun, drilled to 2mm, and reduce the Raptor by 10% with urethane basemaker, and lays out almost like regular paint. but thick! There are videos here on it. Did my last 3 cars with it. Inside and out.

[@HHWheels]

It really is!! I'll have to try that!! :) Thanks for watching :)

[@mechanics4all405]

fantastic work,great to see daughter and dad working together❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@HHWheels]

Thank you!!! & Thanks for watching :)

[@user-neo71665]

Get ya a welding hat. I used to have hair longer than yours before I got tired of it and shaved it. Welding hats help keeping ya hair in check better than ponytail holders alone. Even with a normal mens haircut I still use a welding hat.

[@boomerbassmeme]

Cool! Glad you got your dream VW to fix up! James probably remembers the VW I would love to have, a 1967 convertible Karmann Ghia like Maxwell Smart drove! Sure the Sunbeam had a Ford V8 and gadgets, but that KG was sharp and classy! (yes, I am an old guy and watched the episodes when they were new in the 60s when I was a kid 🤪)

[@donsmith8614]

The thing caught my eye, so i watched your video, it's way more solid than some my past bugs/ghia's, though i've got a 68 ghia that's pretty solid, i was pleasantly surprised to see someone under 30 that knows what a stick is & can drive one, looking forward to the next video!

[@HHWheels]

Coming at you next week! We have a few more after that planned a well. I am so excited to keep wrenchin' on it!

[@grantlangelaar7481]

Vw fan here,own a 64 swb mk2 taipan beach buggy, love the thing would love to see a resto on it with a enhanced motor

[@HHWheels]

Oh trust me, I have most definitely thought about it. Maybe in the next year or so , it will get a new heartbeat!

[@coletrickle-km7cl]

You need a bumper sticker of thing from the adams family giving a thumbs up.👍.

[@gerry-p9x]

That's creepy and kooky mysterious and spooky. Altogether oooky....

[@DaPenceman]

When restored you need a single matching jet ski or a 16ft Hobie Catamaran to tow behind

[@craigmonteforte6111]

watching this video on cutting out Floor Pans and replacing them gave me a idea If you trace a Framing Square onto a piece of paper it would allow you to conform the paper to the different Countours of the original pans but allow you to cut replacement metal for that spot it would need to be contoured in place to replicate the original Floor pans usually the floors are covered with Sound deadening /Insulation and Carpeting so you have some forgiveness on Error BTW You are by far one of the prettiest VW Mechanics /Enthusiasts on you Tube IMO Hobo Freight is a good one they are not in Canada but they have Princess Auto that are very similiar and most Canadians Call Harbor Freight Horrible Freight ? Me personally. Am a retired Professional Woodworker and I don’t purchase Professional Tools from them but they do offer many items I buy and Use in my personal life ,Garage and Shop my Hobbies are Antique Cars,Motorcycles ,and Boats plus general repairs and Maintenance on my personal Vehicles i do have Harbor Freight Impact Sockets , a few Specialty Items and some of their Air Tools and Safety Gear I also like them for Consumeables like Zipties ,Inexpensive Hardware ,Disposable Gloves and their Tool Storage and Organization Items (U.S. General Tool Chests IMO are good Values

[@stuartmillsom3509]

Loving the videos..they are so different to many "car utubers" funny and deffo morish lol Keep.up.the great work

[@HHWheels]

so glad you enjoyed! thanks for watching :) we have lot more coming !

[@allenmenard777]

I still remember the adds when they first came out and yes I am much older than they are

[@dc1usn]

Seeing these rusty cars makes me glad I moved from Virginia beach back to California. I just picked up a 59 ragtop bug last week. Good luck with the 181!

[@HHWheels]

UGH! So jealous! We love our California cars :) Congrats on the rag!

[@louishanley9627]

Congratulations🎉 cant wait to see it all redone 😀

[@tejastrapedghost7866]

Love a smart girl, with a wild thing, sweet caroline 💜💜good times near seemed so good, love the look.

[@johnhicks692]

My older brother had a Karmen Ghia that he custom built the engine. So it had no heat from the heater boxes. He found a heater from a Thing and mounted it in Ghia. I used to watch him go out in the morning, turn on the heater, come back in for a cup of coffee, drink it then go out take off his coat and get in a toasty warm car.

[@josephberg784]

Not my Thing, but your enthusiasm is infectious. So glad to watch the joy of the project.

[@HHWheels]

Thank you

[@Jeep4Wrk]

Great detail on the steps, but fast enough to hold interest. Very practical. One mention: you don't always need music background, or at least not as loud. Looking forward to the next one.

[@HHWheels]

Noted! Thanks

[@JK-gn6qr]

Nice 'Wild 'Thang' ... it makes your heart sing!!! It's looking groovy, the Wild Thang. 🤣 Dad is a hoot, and the apple has not fallen far from the tree I see 😅... Episode got a bell ringer subscription ... thanks -- Jerry

[@SpunkMonkey]

Excellent work! I've always loved these for some reason; never even been in one, but always saw them around in the 70s and 80s so I'm learning a lot about what I've missed while you work. To HHWheels Dad: since you mention it... as a dad my self, I feel for you not being comfortable with any "thing" related puns.

[@jurgenserif6108]

Cool Thing, normal the good Thing will be damaged during rust, but if he have fuel, air and good motoroil, it will run. My beetle from 1964 was stored over 38 years in a barn. It still work. The body we cleaned and covered it with "Owatrol". Heavy rusty parts were cleaned und protected with rustremover.Don't recolour it.Have fun.😂

[@ImTheDaveman]

Back in the 70s a lady friend of mine come driving up in a brand new yeller contraption she called, The Thing. I said, "Yup. Its a thing alright". I really didn't know what to think of it at the time. I kinda hated it and I kinda loved it. After all these years of not seeing one, its Nostalgia I Love! You gotcha a kewl find!

[@HHWheels]

hahah glad we could bring back some fond memories! Thanks for watchin!

[@_Briegel]

The Type 181 is extremely reliable and virtually “indestructible”. At least if you pay attention to a few things. 1: Rust! The good old “bucket” (called “Kübel” in Germany) actually rusts from the factory. The two sills, door and window frames are particularly affected. Timely and thorough rust prevention or the professional replacement of sheet metal parts is definitely worthwhile here. 2nd: Heating! The original heater with heating bulbs as in the VW Beetle is simply not sufficient. This is the reason why many (not all) were equipped with a parking heater. Unfortunately, this is also not particularly reliable and should always be checked and serviced. And then VERY IMPORTANT, when you start it, always let it run for a few minutes (at least 15-20 minutes) before turning it off again. If you don't do this, the whole repair of the heater will soon be pointless. 3: Air baffles in the engine compartment. The air baffles are often removed during work on the engine and not reinstalled or installed incorrectly. (Incidentally, this also applies to all other models with a boxer rear engine from VW). Make absolutely sure that everything is correct here. This is the most effective way to prevent overheating of the 3rd cylinder (which also occurs in almost every VW with a boxer engine). 4th: Damper mounts. Rust can also occur here. So if you're already doing this anyway, it's advisable to carry out proper rust prevention and, if necessary, replace badly affected panels. Greetings from Germany

[@markjames9205]

Drove my 74 with the windshield and the doors off all summer long. Most fun you can have with your clothes on.

[@russrockino-rr0864]

Harbor Freight Merlin 5 in 1 safety couplers, for your air hoses. It will totally eliminate problems with disconnecting air hoses from tools. I put them on all my air hoses. They are awesome,IMO. My Dad owned a 74 Thing, we hated that car when we were kids,lol. Great video!

[@HHWheels]

Running to harbor freight now! Thanks for the tip, I've just never bought them for some reason!! haha I love those old stories! thanks for watching!

[@Wild1Banana]

I GREW UP WORKING ON ALL THE 60 TO 70S VW BUGS SQUAREBACK CAMPER VAN ETC AND NEVER GOT TO DRIVE THE THING AND ALWAYS WANTED ONE AND THOUGHT THE CONCEPT WOULD COME BACK BUT NEVER DID. IF I HAVE HAVE A CHANCE I WILL OWN A THING.

[@HHWheels]

You will!! they are so fun! Thanks for watching

[@craigfitzgerald7568]

I was so close to buying a good one during the pandemic, but I couldn't get the seller to agree on a price. It's still sitting there five years later. I bought a '66 CJ5 instead and I love it, but a Thing is high on my list of vehicles to own.

[@VATION3RD]

But they don't ever tell the Jeep folks not to drive with the doors off and the windshield down...

[@lynnbarker7651]

I’d spray all inside black raptor liner. Then I’d spray all outside yellow tinted raptor liner. This would seal all rust and prevent future rust. It would be cool, rust free and be protected from scratches.

[@michaelvarner9716]

I love watching the wild thing build

[@retrorusticsRSA]

Awesome episode 👏

[@HHWheels]

Thanks🙏

[@packfan1946]

During my childhood in the 70's, one of my neighbors had a red one. I thought it was a good-looking car and told my Dad to get one. My Dad laughed and told me to get a job and buy one myself.

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

One of my favorite cars from childhood! I'll be keeping an eye on your build!

[@HHWheels]

Thank you! Glad you hear you love them! :)

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

@@HHWheels I'm pretty jealous of your portal axles. I really want to find a way to make portal axles happen for my little shitbox Subaru.

[@NormanF62]

The Thing was a civil version of the famed World War II Kubelwagen, built to the same design. Would love to see it revived. 😊

[@MCscarfacematt]

not to get morbid, but take all the advice from dad you can because one day he won't be there to give it to you. heck mine's been gone for 13 years and I still find myself calling his cell phone for advice luckily the sweet old lady who has his number is understanding

[@charlesloar3210]

New subscriber here. Just came across your channel and love it. That first one was too far gone. Yellow thing is a good project.

[@TheShornak]

This is my 1st video I've watched of your channel and I gotta say, I'm diggin the music.

[@Nevoexpo]

You should blur out the phone number on the AD. People on the internet are mean, they will spam abuse call that person who was selling the VW Thing. Love your content, thanks for sharing!

[@HHWheels]

Done! Thanks for the pointer!! Thanks for watching!!

[@avomarkarian6187]

The thing is coolest

[@gerry-p9x]

Based on German. WW2. Kubelwagen

[@vwtazz]

Looks like the engine was swapped for a type 1, it has the wrong fan shroud. Those heater boxes can make the exhaust ports hot and damage the head if they don't have airflow from the shroud. FYI

[@HHWheels]

Yes! You are right. It did originally come with a type 1 though. But the shroud is wrong. The '73 Thing did not come with heater channels. I suspect this engine came out of a bus given the intake. I already swapped the heater boxes for just some J-Tubes and then it's on to changing the shroud! Thanks for watching! More to come on the engine :)

[@JohnBr1234]

Well, it runs, that must be a plus!

[@alexibarra4675]

19:58 damn right in the fatherly feels

[@Hairyegg]

Company in the Czech Republic making the kuble and the schwim all steel you buy it in kit form for your T1 chassis

[@karim_bouchouchi]

It is not a thing! It is a Kübelwagen or as we in Military Police of the 80ties called it a Null Vier Tonner. It was our standard military police vehicle in the 80ties and before 😂

[@kevinwills9413]

This is a great channel. You will have many more subscribers. Please keep posting! Your thing is so interesting! The Viper GTS too.

[@TheQuidditchfan]

When you are putting your seats in make sure you lube up your thing 😂 it will slide in better

[@charlesloar3210]

Great job on the pans. Best way to do this.

[@sts3427]

Just love a fun build.

[@MartinRadioDarkTunnel]

Cool THING!! In Germany this THING is called "VW Bucket"

[@lawrenwimberly7311]

I put 1 inch spacers in my 73 super beetle in the front mounts of the seats

[@geipelstoys9923]

The “wild thang” is awesome! I want one myself as well, someday! But I got a vision in my head for one, I’m thinking fast on the street with a couple extra cylinders, but with an altitude adjustment for the trails and sand 😎

[@roydagger]

Caroline is the prettiest and the smartest car worker in North Africa.

[@HHWheels]

thank you!!

[@danbierschbach7743]

Loving the Banter.. just awesome.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I have not seen a thing for decades.. my friends parents had one and he had a very nice Corvair for a short while .

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Things are very cool, and kinda rare, rock on !

[@LumenateTV]

I would've been dropping so many Thing puns throughout all this build.

[@thomaskoppel-k7q]

been there & done that 40 yrs ago.

[@OGTtom]

Great job , saved another VW

[@toddswenson9137]

are the Thing floor pans the same as a bug? Great job, love the Hot Wheels Collection And Great Jams!

[@VATION3RD]

My dear old dad arrested so used to say flabbergasted was a head gasket for a Volkswagen Thang😅

[@aragonep]

you guys are too funny, great video!

[@NathanKrebs-qw1pe]

Wild Thang not wild thing doing a good job on it glade you got it going the first one should be your parts car watch from my mine site in Central Queensland Australia

[@robleppala5114]

You go girl!😊

[@HHWheels]

hehe Thank you!!!!

[@herbdad1]

Driving in tropical storm hilarious😂 love your videos

[@jasonlavertu6894]

Annnnd Caroline's "thing" was never brought to light! 🤣🤣🤣 Nice revival!

[@Yutani_Crayven]

8:12 All the German things on that cap, like how it says "BRAKE FLUID"? Very German indeed.

[@jasonwilliams3967]

My parents bought the second one on the Westcoast.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

Gasoline powered heater right next to the gas tank. What could possibly go wrong.? Don't hate me, I really like VW's.

[@HHWheels]

haha believe it or not, the engines were much more of a fire hazard. They separated the exhaust & pump pretty well from the tank :) No hate!! Thanks for watching!

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

@@HHWheels Years ago I had a 1974 California Look Bug. And when I bought it .The very first thing I did was put hose clamps on the gas lines to keep them from falling off.

[@dioisno1]

Is there an episode that explains the dynamics of the show?

[@ourv9603]

Thing? Did you hear about the little person at the circus & the trapeze beauty? Yeah, he had a little THING for her. !

[@HHWheels]

😂

[@JesusHernandez-to1jy]

Nice 👍

[@matthewrinehart2367]

I wish junk yards had flipped cars on their roofs. We would have more salvageable cars today.

[@philipbohlinger4150]

How do get away with welding in shorts? I tried that once and my glow in the dark legs were a nice shade of panther pink. Then there's the peeling process.

[@billyb259]

I find it much easier to just change the complete pan. Less cutting less welding and a cleaner more professional look.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Those seats peaked my interest.

[@retirednavychief6983]

So are you selling the brown n tan one?

[@eugenegilleno9344]

Wish I still had mine ! 🥴👍🏼

[@markbolton6050]

Not a "thing" its a kubelwagen, and would be the only vw i would ever want to own!

[@tetra4411]

You gotta weld that Thang. 🐿

[@warmfreeze]

so what happen to the other Thing?

[@RobertPirtle-q9g]

29.20 min . Please tell us about that Budweiser drag car

[@toddfrazier3844]

Awesome Thang lol. ❤ But what's mouse milk?

[@HHWheels]

AH! Mouse Milk is an awesome lubricant. I believe it's primarily used in Aviation. I'll send you a link. It's incredible!

[@HHWheels]

www.amazon.com/Mouse-Milk-Oil-8-Oz/dp/B0049C7170

[@michaelaskates9523]

Very cool hun I loved them ❤

[@LANTHENS]

She's so cool .

[@MarkDeChambeau-lo1rt]

Where in the world did you find that background music?!

[@blackraven81demon89]

I absolutely love love love VW ...I always wanted to have a vw girl this might just be my dream channel to follow it's beautiful 😍😭

[@albertstadt9853]

I never realized that Things have 4 doors!

[@chuckschillingvideos]

If this is your dream, I'd hate to imagine your nightmares.

[@HHWheels]

Well, that’s your opinion. Thanks for watching :)