Man's ultra-rare Volkswagen has been parked for 50 years and he claims it's the first of its kind in America
- This hilariously named Volkswagen Thing has traveled all the way from Germany
- It looks like the 50 years of collecting dust has taken a toll
- These two YouTubers want to bring it back to life
Published on Mar 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Mar 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This is an ultra-rare Volkswagen that we’ve never seen before, and the original owner’s grandson said it might be the first time one has set their wheels on the ground in America.
This ultra-rare Volkswagen Thing, yes you read that right, is a military vehicle that comes with German export plates, suggesting it may have never driven before in the US.
The Volkswagen Thing had been left collecting dust and a tiny bit of rust for the last 50 years, so one YouTube duo took their time bringing this random little car back to life.
The original owner’s grandson wants to get this third-generation military vehicle back on the road again, confusing everyone they see.
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This ultra-rare Volkswagen has never driven in America
Brent and RJ from the YouTube channel WD Detailing showed their latest car rejuvenation project in a recent YouTube video.
They were presented with an ultra-rare Volkswagen that looked like it had come straight from Germany and into storage when it reached America.
Named “Kurierwagen,” or Courier car in German, the hilariously named Volkswagen Thing, is a tiny, lightweight but robust truck.
The Type 181, to give it it’s formal name, was essentially 70’s West Germany’s response to the Jeep.
Calling it as the ‘thing’ is the perfect way to describe this truck – it’s extremely simple, with low maintenance costs and a surprisingly pointy front for a Jeep-style vehicle like this.
Well, you see, the Thing is…really dirty
This ultra-rare Volkswagen Thing that was presented to the YouTube duo hadn’t been touched or moved in 50 years.
And it certainly looked like it.
It may well have once been home to a family of mice. The truck was also covered in a thick layer of dust and mold.
The mold, however, worked in a positive way, actually preserving the dark green military paint underneath.
Even better, the actual body only had a single dent in it, which considering the Thing’s age was very impressive.
The YouTubers did a great job bringing the car back to life and it looked very majestic in its army greens.
As a result, the original owner’s grandson is excited to get this third-generation Thing back on the road and confusing everyone who sees it.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
