| Originally built for the German Federal Army | | | | exported to the United States. These models were |
| (Bundeswehr) as a stop gap the VW Thing is available | | | | basically the standard Type 181 Thing. There were |
| in four variants as described below: | | | | however differences from the Safari model. This |
| TYPE 181 | | | | included full emissions equipment on the engine, included |
| This is the Official Volkswagen factory designation for | | | | in the chassis number was the letter X for export and |
| the left hand drive VW Thing. Originally built for the | | | | on the left centre door pillar a U.S. DOT sticker. Initially |
| German Federal Army (Bundeswehr) as a designated | | | | they were to carry the title of Type 181 however VW |
| multi-purpose vehicle. In the German market it is known | | | | wanted the model to be known as the Safari. |
| as the Kubel or Kubelwagen, the same as its | | | | Unfortunately General Motors "owned" the use of |
| predecessor from the Second World War. | | | | "The Safari" in the US market, having used it on |
| THING | | | | Pontiac Station Wagons from 1955. |
| In 1973 and 1974 28,930 units of the VW Thing were | | | | |