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In my twenties I was obsessed with Land Rovers, these days my passion is with Volkswagen, from 2014-2020 I owned and restored my first VW 181 (LHD, Mexico built), and these days enjoy restoring and driving my second 181, a RHD German built model acquired in Indonesia.
181/182 vehicles were made from 1968 to 1981. Originally developed for the Bundeswehr to replace the hideous-looking but capable DKW Munga in anticipation of the "Europa Jeep" (based on the Fiat-MAN-Saviem) which never eventuated. The 181/182 is conceptually based on the WWII era Kübelwagen (VW 82), although somewhat larger, built on a Karmann Ghia floor pan. Assembly in Germany met military orders (~40,000 units) then production was shifted to a line in Mexico in an attempt to break into the US market, but the lunatic do-gooder Ralph Nader ruined all that, and from 1975 just a few thousand a year were sold in Mexico and some secondary markets until the early 80s, more info here.
The vehicles were sold as the Kurierwagen in Germany, Trekker in the UK, Thing in the US, Safari in Latin America, Pescaccia in Italy, and Camat in Indonesia, although widely known as Kübelwagen or just Kübel especially in Germany. I have received very nasty txts from people telling me not to call mine Kübelwagen (if that is you, stop reading now).
The military production models had a 1500cc low compression motor, and drop-axle/reduction boxes similar to the Type 1 Kombi and original Kübel; later civilian models were fitted with 1600 beetle motors and CV-jointed shafts driven from the type 2 Kombi transmission, and other minor changes. A small number of integrated hardtops were made, and resin hardtops also exist.
There are several dozen 181/182 in Australia, enough to support a Facebook group. Australia preceded the 181/182 with its Indigenous rugged VW, the Country Buggy (styled loosely on the Mini Moke); but discontinued after disappointing sales of less than 800 units, although more than 2000 unfinished bodies were eventually sold into the Philippines and local dealers used bug parts to finish them and sell as Sakbayan. Today Country Buggies are rare and sought-after collectables, while the 181/182 are a curiosity in Australia.
Here is my current 181 (RHD) on the docks in Bali before shipment to Australia. Be very careful privately importing. I had all rust cut and repaired before export, but many more subsequent issues emerged (even some of the body repair needs to be redone as Indonesian bog will spontaneously fall right off the panels as you drive along, or just from standing!). The vehicle is, since 2024, on club plates and happily tootling around the Batemans Bay area.
This is my first 181 (LHD) just after club registration, with original top and type 1 beetle rims. The restoration, from pumpkin orange beach buggy to dignified staff-car is documented below.
This is how I found the firast181; photos are deceiving; paintwork was well worn, front left guard smashed in, the rag-top was rotten, fuel tank riddled with rust, all rubber parts were rubbish, and the engine so worn that it would shortly throw a rod through the crankcase......
With the help of my son, we stripped her back, fixed the wiring, renewed the brakes, replaced the throttle cable, sprayed the interior grey, repaired the external body damage.
After a good rub down of the pumpkin orange, we gave her a coat of primer. We also replaced the petrol tank and the steering coupler. Many thanks to Tom with the spray gun.
Multiple coats of flat yellow followed. Inspection revealed a lot of rust in the Brazilian chrome rims, and tires too old to pass RWC, so they were swapped for regular beetle rims and new tires.
The steering wheel was replaced with an original, wiring behind the dash was repaired, and sound deadening was extensively applied, front seats replaced with superbug high backs.
A second hand 1600 was fitted; and the original mufflers that tuck up by the cylinder heads were retro-fitted. Steel slotty rims and wider tires fitted. That engine also later died and was replaced with a rebuild (also the exhaust with a more conventional vw muffler).
The back seats were restored, including original VW belts. The door pockets lined and rubber mats cut for the floors (I have timber duck boards but they are not so practical).
The old rag-top was replaced with a new-out-the-packet vinyl top and door curtains supplied by Karma-Kombis Bali. US trailer connection replaced with Aussie type.
"Old Yeller" was reluctantly sold in July 2020 to a Canberra enthusiast, I needed the room in the driveway, and felt that I was neglecting the RHD project.
For the latter I had the engine rebuilt and renovated the trans-axle after problems emerged after import (do your due diligence before importing!). You might see it on the road around Batemans Bay on fine days.
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