Last Year Gary Multanen stopped by my place to show me the Thing he had just purchased. We visited for a while and then when he was pulling out his Transaxle barfed in my driveway. This is how we met and decided he needed a full restoration.
*** Note: Click on the photos to see a larger version.
Gary’s Thing was in decent shape and was a good candidate for a restoration.
It didn’t take long for the members of the BTG (Boise Thing Group) to have the Thing looking rather skinny.
I do mean skinny!
This tear down included Trans and engine as well as anything else that was bolted or screwed onto the body.
The engine was factory stock. We were going to build it to our standard 1835cc with counter-weighted crank from Scat.
With the body back from paint we started building the engine and putting the Thing back together.
With the transaxle back from German Transaxle we installed it in a hour. This was filled with GL4 fluid as per GTA specs.
With the transaxle installed Larry set the end play on the engine that we had just built.
New heater boxes and the Tri-Mill exhaust. Best available parts.
Gary W setting up the wiring…..ready for the smoke test.
Engine in .
Andrew tweaking the exhaust system for perfect fit.
Top being installed.
Tan top with Tan interior with 71/72 beetle high-back seats for added comfort and safety. These slip right in on the Thing Tracks.
Gary driving his Thing home.
