Volkswagen · 1968–1971
Volkswagen 181
The Volkswagen Type 181 is a two-wheel drive, four-door convertible, manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 1968 until 1983. Originally developed for the West German Army as a successor to the 1956 Auto Union two-stroke–engined DKW Munga, the Type 181 also entered the civilian market as the Kurierwagen (“courier car”) in West Germany, the Trekker (RHD Type 182) in the United Kingdom, the Thing in the United States and Canada (1973–1974), the Safari in Mexico and South America, and Pescaccia in Italy. Civilian sales ended after model year 1980. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, West Germany (1968–1974), Hannover, West Germany (1974–1975), Emden, West Germany (1975–1978), Puebla, Mexico (1970–1980), and Jakarta, Indonesia (1972–1980), the Type 181 shared its mechanicals with Volkswagen's Type 1 (Beetle) and the pre-1968 Volkswagen Microbus, its floor pan with the Type 1 Karmann Ghia, and its concept with the company's Kübelwagen, which had been used by the German military during World War II. The overall configuration loosely recalls the chic, open beach cars of the 1960s, including the BMC Mini Moke, Fiat Ghia Jolly, Renault Rodeo, Citroën Méhari and Meyers Manx. All four doors were removable and interchangeable, the windshield folded flat, and the convertible roof could be removed for al fresco driving. The spartan interior featured vinyl covered bucket seats, painted sheet metal, drain holes and perforated rubber mats. A fiberglass hardtop and trunk-mounted auxiliary heater were optional.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Kübelwagen · Successor: Volkswagen Iltis
All Volkswagen 181 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Specifications
- name
- Volkswagen Type 181/182
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen
- aka
- Volkswagen Type 181 (LHD) Volkswagen Type 182 (RHD), Sold as:, Volkswagen Thing (United States), Volkswagen Camat (Indonesia), Volkswagen Safari (Mexico), Volkswagen Trekker (UK), Volkswagen Pescaccia (Italy)
- Production
- 1968–1983 (from 1971 for civilian use), 90,883 built, (70,519 in West Germany, 20,364 in Mexico)
- Assembly
- West Germany: Wolfsburg (1968–1974), West Germany: Hannover (1974–1975), West Germany: Emden (1975–1978), Mexico: Puebla (1970–1980), Indonesia: Jakarta (1972–1980)
- Predecessor
- Volkswagen Kübelwagen
- Successor
- Volkswagen Iltis (for military use), Volkswagen Touareg (for civilian use)
- Class
- Military vehicle
- Body style
- 4-door cabriolet
- Layout
- Rear-engined, rear-wheel drive
- Engine
- 1.5 or 1.6l H4
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual
- Wheelbase
- 2400 mm
- Length
- 3780 mm
- Width
- 1640 mm
- Height
- 1620 mm
- Kerb weight
- 910 kg
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q833795CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_181CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1364495561 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vw_181_v_sst.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Sven Storbeck · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.