My VW 181 (Trekker , Thing, Safari, Kurierwagen)

  My VW 181

A rare but striking vehicle, the Volkswagen Typ 181 "Kurierwagen" , popularly known as Trekker in the UK , Thing in the US and Safari in Mexico , is a small military vehicle produced by Volkswagen from 1969 to 1983 , although sales to civilians ceased in 1980. It was built on the Beetle platform , and was the continuation and natural evolution of the Kübelwagen , used by the German military in World War II .

   When serving in Germany in the early seventies I began to see these more often and they stuck in my mind, until having exhausted my adoration for Porsche's, I began to look for an easier, cheaper to maintain classic. My search culminated in 2016 when I was shown the example I was to purchase in an underground Pay carpark in Lagos. I was friendly with the owner of the car park, and he told me about the car and the owner, an elderly German lady who had ceased to drive a few years before, and was paying to store the car with him and now wanted to sell. I was also introduced to the local mechanic, Jose who had been keeping the car on the road for her until she stopped driving.  He was an old school mechanic, who preferred to repair things rather than exchanging  components, and the car was still drivable but very scruffy. We approached a mutually acceptable deal but I was well aware  that there was a large amount of work to be done to meet my standards.

As bought - a brave but battered exterior.

Once in my hands, I made plans to repaint, and sort out any mechanical problems. Jose had a library of spares for the car and he did the initial repairs.

A few of the many new parts required for the rebuild

   Painting was entrusted to a local Bata Chapa in Portimao whose work I knew well. 6 months IPO test passed, and on the road  in tine for my birthday in June 2016, complete with a new roof canopy made by a local company as the original was only available from US with associated taxes and tariffs,  I had gone for a more military green colour in line with the vehicles history.

New roof, and seat covers

And so I drove out happily, mostly roof down in the Algarve sun, for a couple of years, until I decided to renew the engine which was under powered. To help with this I engaged my friend Patrice, also a 181 owner whom I had met at Clube Classicos de Barlavento, and who was a meticulous and highly skilled mechanic.

He completely rebuilt the engine, and now it fires up quickly and has a smooth power delivery.

Various stages of engine rebuild.

Once the rebuild was complete I applied successfully for a Certificado de Veiculo de Interesse Historico from the Museu de Caramelo, which means now it only requires inspection once every 4 years.

Now the vehicle is complete, and running as well as when it left the factory some 55 years ago.