Should VW make a "New Thing" like the "New Bug"?

[letmeehan]

Mini SUV's and "Cross breed" cars are all the rage. VW's New Beetle is a huge hit and a very safe car. SO I say that VW should make a New Thing. I would like to see it stay almost the same. Doors all come off, windsheild comes down etc. Air-cooled? Rear Engine? Built in roll bar? Bigger stock wheels? Higher stance? What are peoples thoughts?

[Iworkatwendys]

If it stayed the same why even introduce a "new" thing? Just restore a classic? First of all it'll never happen because VW doesn't support aircooled VW's, it doesn't support rear engine or rear wheel drive, and it wouldn't make a car with a built in roll bar because VW is trying to go upscale. If you want a "new" thing your best bet is to just go off and do it yourself.

[Bob Ingman]

They do have a prototype now. I wish I could remember what they have dubbed it. It is definately second generation ,watercooled frontwheel drive however. I think we have a better chance of seeing the Beetles reunite than seeing the "Thing" reemerge. Good luck. Bob Ingman

[VW_Factor]

VW is certainly trying to go upscale.. Just take a look at the Phaeton.. But hey.. They did make the New Beetle.. And they are planning to put the New Bus into production.. They are trying to get back to their roots a bit.. Kinda like Chevy did with the Impala.. But Chevy ruined it, when they "changed" it too much.. To see a "New Thing" would be neat to see how VWoG or VWoA envisions it..

------------------
Volkswagen Factor http://j.bandy.home.attbi.com

[JC-ATL]

If VW did make a "new Thing" you can be assured that it will simply be another bastardized Golf, just like that other piece of crap, the Concept 1. (I refuse to use the word Beetle when referring to that car.)

VW has abandoned its roots completely - they have no interest in making affordable, unique automobiles for the masses, nor supporting those who choose to drive their older models.

[LB181]

I don't want to see a new VW THING. We dont need another goofy looking SUV with no offroad capability cruising the streets. There are already plenty of them out there and the THing looks better than all of them.

[kent@thething.org]

keep up kids, the SUV is coming out in only two months or so!!!!! and guess what...$40,000 ka boom!
i would rather have that truck they made though, or this... http://www.audiworld.com/news/03/naias/ ... tent.shtml

[Mattt]

Hmm, someone with the same thought as me. I already have a Thing body sitting there waiting for the time & money to build this project. I have thought about building this combo for about 2 years. All I need to get going is the drivetrain from a Syncro.

Bob, do you know the guy that has thing Syncro Thing? I would love to talk to this person, and see this car. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Matt


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BobMiller:
<B>BTW, there is at least one THING out there with an entire Synco drivetain, including 4wd. You can build what you want.

</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[lastsafari]

It is funny. I have a Thing chassis waiting for a chance to go to Ciudad Juarez on the other side of El Paso Texas where there is a vw specific junk yard with a syncro van

[Kubelmann]

Since all the bone had Thingsters have posted this thread I must join in and be counted. Kent is correct. I was down at the VW dealer today and was privy to a meeting while the lot boy was washing the parts and pieces of AM 001972 ( if you do not know what these number mean (hey you get offa my cloud) And the big buzz was the new VW SUV rough and ready answer to the Cayenne

Ferd Porsche lives. I say a picture and as many have said on this thread GEt a Thing and make it like you want it to be. Cause this turkey is uglier than the Subaru Baja..

Things rule and those front wheel drive anti freeze sucking junk wads suck. I also saw a "new bettle convertible downstair of this meeting with Michigan manufacturer plates fresh of the transport from Flint that had all the bell and whistle LED thermal door locks and more. Groovy leather seat. Down side HA the lead service research drone says they are there because the factory is unable to provide warrenty parts to get this $45K beauty back on the road so the owner has a "2003" Subaru WRX as a loaner till thye cracj the case. I think I'll stick with wiht building Herr Kubelmann. K-Mann

[Bob Ingman]

This may be a little off topic but since we`re talkin second generation/watercooled VWs here I`ll chime in.
Last year when I left Alaska for the first time in a number of years I was setting at the Seattle Ferry Terminal waiting to board the Bremerton ferry when I see a car across the street that catches my eye. I`ve never heard anything about such a car but it looks for all the world to be a second generation Karmann Ghia. I assumes it to be since I was aware that second gen beatles were being made. So I left the comforts of my 73 thing to see for myself what in fact it was. The closer I got the more excited I was about this new KG. However when I reached the car I discovered that I had missed my guess by a mile(or maybe half a mile).
Anyone care to guess what I found? Well I`ll tell you then. It was the Audi Quatro TT. Does this look like a second gen KG to anyone else or have I been in the boonies too long? chubb say it look like a 55 studie coupe to him. Good luck. Bob Ingman

[DieselDr78]

Don't know if this is the VW you all have been talking about or not? http://midsouthvw.com/Nltr0103/Horizons-0103.htm.
Found it on the MidSouth VW Club web site.

Mrs. Diesel

[Hebster]

http://www.touareg-dakar.com/index.0.html http://www.auto.co.nz/view_detail.cfm?id=92&type=1

No, not really, more like a "Strange Thing"

[speedy57tub]

Another posibility is a fiberglass body to go onto a Type I chassis. I believe there is a company in Mazatlan, Mexico that makes them. There are sure alot of them there and they are used to transport tourist around (like myself).

------------------
Thanks, speedy57tub
(Speedying around and about "Viva Las Vegas")

[cc-G-FLA]

Vw has been making a "New Thing" a lot longer than its been making the New Beetle. It's called an Iltis. Just don't get the Canadian Army copy (Bombadier).

------------------
73 SB