Episode
Wheeler Dealers: VW 181 Thing
Overview
The Volkswagen Thing was the result of the German Army’s late 60’s requirement for a lightweight military vehicle. VW came up with a utilitarian convertible looking like an upturned bath on wheels, but optimistic marketing men realised they could sell it to the general public, as a fun, four-seat beach buggy. Sadly, most of them rusted away, so it’s hard to find one that’s solid and original today. Mike manages to pry one away from the hands of a collector – but forced to dig deep for the purchase – there isn’t much left in the kitty for Edd to deal with an engine that keeps stalling, lethal brakes and an uninviting interior with no heater and torturous seats. Can they flip this Thing around?
Details
- Series
- Wheeler Dealers
- Season
- Season 12
- Episode
- Episode 7
- Air date
- 2015-05-04
- Runtime
- 45 min
Episode context
VW 181 Thing is Episode 7 in Season 12 of Wheeler Dealers. It aired on 2015-05-04. The runtime is 45 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 6: Datsun 240Z
The Datsun 240Z was Japan’s answer the Britain’s MGB GT, only better. Trouble is they rusted and today cars in good condition with manual gearboxes are going for a fortune. The only rust-free car Mike can find in his budget is an automatic with a wheezing engine. Ever the optimist, Mike buys it anyway, hoping to turn it into a money-spinner by getting Edd to spice up the engine and swap the sluggish auto for a manual transmission – but can Edd deliver and still leave room for a profit?
Episode 8: Desoto Firedome
This fabulous fifties coupe has more than great styling on its side because under the bonnet is one of the first ever Hemi, a legendary V8 engine which kick-started the U.S. car makers’ muscle car wars. Our car has had a bad custom job, so Mike and Edd set about addressing the damage to give this stunning cruiser back some class. The engine is pulled out and given a once over, the exterior is transformed with some clever touches and eventually this car is ready once again to proudly cruise to the diner for a milkshake!
More episodes from this season
Episode 5: AMC Pacer
Perhaps the Americas’ biggest automotive joke, the AMC Pacer has long topped lists of the world’s worst cars. But Mike feels this neglected 1970’s hatchback is ready for classic status and he enlists Edd to help make this car cool again. Edd comes up with a visual transformation which he thinks will address the failures of the original styling and attract a 21st Century buyer. But with a limited budget and some very off-the-wall ideas will this gamble land them a big profit or major loss?
Episode 9: Best of the USA
Mike and Edd wrap their American journey with a “Best of the U.S.” episode, highlighting their favorite moments in and out of the stateside shop.
Episode 4: BMW 2002TII
The BMW 2002tii was better handling and more driver-focused than its contemporaries back in the early 1970s, attributes that have made it a desirable classic car today. Trouble is good ones are starting to go for big money. To stay in budget Mike has to take a real punt on a car that hasn’t been started for 17 years. With its fiendishly complicated mechanical fuel injection system and an engine that hasn’t run for nearly two decades, will Edd be able to bring this long dormant baby BMW back to life?
Episode 10: Rover P5 B
Mike and Edd return to the UK for a series of brand new Wheeler Dealers episodes on home turf.
In this episode, Mike has unearthed a quintessential piece of British motoring history with a Rover P5 B. The car appears to be in good nick, but Edd’s upgrades won’t be cheap.
Episode 3: MGA
Everyone has heard of the high-selling MGB but the car that came before it – the MGA – is the one Mike wants to track down for the U.S. workshop. Why? Because it looks great, goes around corners well, and sells for high prices. When Mike tracks down a California car for restoration he thinks it will be easy for Edd – just a few cosmetic jobs. But this isn’t the way Edd sees things and the result will surprise some hardcore MG fans. To make matters worse, he refuses to stick to Mike’s low budget. Sparks will fly!
Episode 11: Fiat Panda 4x4
Mike tracks down a model of the smart city car, the Fiat Panda 4x4, with potential, and Edd does the mechanics, before they try to make a profit
Episode 2: Ford F1 Pickup Truck
A pickup truck is a stateside icon and Mike is keen to get into the booming classic truck market. He manages to find a 1950’s F1, which is an unfinished project. The bodywork has already been stripped of paint and this patina gives Mike an idea – give this down-at-heel Ford a vintage rusted look. Drawing inspiration from this creative vision, Edd creates a paint scheme based on a ‘sandstorm in the desert,’ brands the windows with molten steel and builds a high-spec flathead V8 to blast it down the road. But will this eccentric truck with its unique Wheeler Dealers style find a buyer willing to pay a premium?
Episode 12: Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Mike takes a risk by buying a late Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.5 TI at auction.
With no service history, dodgy brakes, and clapped out suspension, can Edd work his magic?
Episode 1: Pontiac GTO - Chicago
The team knows a rust-free GTO would be a great car to kick off the new U.S. workshop. But these cars are rare, and Mike has to travel all the way to Chicago – almost 2,000 miles – to find one. When he does, he discovers this great time-warp muscle car isn’t all it seems. Edd discovers it hides some gremlins, which will make it hard to sell in hot California. Mike sets them a challenge, to make a $10,000 profit. But the market isn’t always stable – will they manage?
Episode 13: Caterham 7
Mike has always wanted to get an old Caterham into the workshop, and his wish is granted in this all-new Wheeler Dealers episode.
However, when Edd decides to paint it a shocking colour, will the risk pay off? And what will Mike say when he sees it?