Evaluation: Genuine Acapulco Thing. Restored, but probably before air-cooled VWs we’re worth much. The paint looks a little thick and is coming off around some of the hinges. The tires are dirty. Clean restored chassis and engine.
Bottom Line: VW Things are always distinctive, and often painted in yellow or bright orange to catch your attention even more easily. However, the Acapulco Edition, originally conceived for resorts in Mexico and sold in small numbers (about 400) for 1973-74, is even more eye-catching thanks to its two-tone colors and surrey top. It is also the rarest and most valuable production variant of the Type 181. It’s not a monumental premium like, say, a Fiat Jolly compared to a regular old Fiat 600, but it’s there.
Barrett-Jackson sold this one for a then-generous $27,500 in Las Vegas four years ago and it is in essentially the same condition today, having put just 69 miles on its odometer since. All things air-cooled Volkswagen have gotten more expensive since then, so this price is not a shock even if it is on the high side.
