If you've ever spent a rainy afternoon scouting for a decent volkswagen thing top, you know exactly how frustrating it can be to find one that actually fits. Owning a Type 181—or "The Thing" as we affectionately call it here in the States—is a lifestyle choice that comes with its own unique set of headaches and rewards. It's basically a doorless, windowless Lego car for adults, and while that's part of the charm, it becomes a bit less charming when a surprise thunderstorm turns your interior into a localized swimming pool.
Finding a replacement top isn't just about utility; it's about preserving that iconic, boxy silhouette that makes people stop and stare at gas stations. Whether yours is shredded from years of sun exposure or you're tired of the duct-tape-and-prayer method of waterproofing, getting a fresh top is probably the single best investment you can make for the car.
Why the Top Is Such a Big Deal
Let's be honest: the Volkswagen Thing was never meant to be a luxury cruiser. It was originally a military vehicle (the Kurierwagen) designed for utility, not comfort. Because of that, the original design of the volkswagen thing top is well, it's a bit primitive. It uses a series of snaps, tuck-under tabs, and a metal frame that feels like it belongs on a vintage camping tent.
When that top gets old, it shrinks. Vinyl has a nasty habit of tightening up over decades of heat cycles, and eventually, those snaps just won't reach the studs anymore. You end up pulling so hard you rip the material or, worse, bend the frame. A new top doesn't just keep the rain out; it actually makes the car easier to use because you aren't fighting the fabric every time you want to button it up.
Choosing the Right Material for Your Ride
When you start shopping around, you'll usually run into two main choices for materials. Both have their pros and cons, and it really depends on how you plan to use your car and where you live.
The Classic Vinyl
Most people stick with vinyl because it's what came on the car from the factory. It's relatively affordable, easy to wipe down, and has that period-correct shine. If you're going for a pure restoration and want it to look exactly like it did in 1973, vinyl is the way to go. Just keep in mind that vinyl is more prone to cracking in freezing temperatures and can get incredibly hot to the touch if you leave it parked in the summer sun.
The High-End Canvas
If you've got a little extra room in the budget, some folks swear by Stayfast canvas or similar acrylic cloths. This is the stuff you see on high-end modern convertibles. It doesn't shrink or stretch as much as vinyl, it breathes better, and it looks significantly more premium. It gives the Thing a slightly more "civilized" look, which some purists might hate, but your ears will thank you—canvas tends to be a bit quieter at highway speeds because it doesn't flap as violently in the wind.
Don't Forget the Skeleton: The Top Frame
Before you drop several hundred dollars on a new volkswagen thing top, you need to take a long, hard look at your frame. If your metal bows are bent, rusted, or missing the wooden (or plastic) tack strips, a new top won't save you.
The Thing frame is a bit of a mechanical puzzle. It's designed to fold down flat behind the rear seat, but over fifty years, those pivot points get sloppy. If the frame isn't sitting square, the top will always look wrinkled or lopsided. I've seen guys spend a fortune on custom upholstery only to have it look like a saggy mess because they didn't bother to straighten the bows first. If your frame is toast, you might need to hunt down some replacement hardware before you even think about the fabric.
The Struggle of Installation
Installing a volkswagen thing top is a rite of passage for any owner. Is it hard? Not necessarily. Is it tedious? Absolutely. Unlike a modern Jeep top that zips and clicks into place, the Thing top requires a bit of finesse and, ideally, a very hot day.
The best advice I ever got was to let the new top sit out in the direct sun for at least an hour before trying to put it on. You want that material as soft and stretchy as possible. If you try to install a cold vinyl top in a garage, you're going to end up with sore fingers and a lot of colorful language.
Start from the front and work your way back. Getting those front tabs tucked into the windshield header is the most important part. If you get the alignment wrong at the start, the back snaps will never line up. It's one of those jobs where you should measure three times and pull once. And hey, if you aren't confident in your DIY skills, there's no shame in taking it to an upholstery shop. They have the steamers and the tensioning tools to make it look perfect.
Side Curtains: The Missing Piece
You can't really talk about the top without mentioning the side curtains. The Thing doesn't have roll-up windows; it has removable frames with plastic inserts. If you're buying a new volkswagen thing top, you should probably check the condition of your side curtains too.
There's nothing that ruins the look of a crisp new top like yellowed, scratched-up side windows. Most manufacturers sell them as a kit, and honestly, it's worth doing it all at once. Having clear visibility out the sides makes driving the Thing a lot less stressful, especially since the side mirrors on these cars aren't exactly what you'd call "high definition."
Keeping It Looking New
Once you've got your new top installed, you want it to last another twenty years. The biggest enemy here is UV rays. If you leave your Thing parked outside 24/7, that vinyl is going to bake and eventually crack.
- Use a Protectant: There are plenty of marine-grade vinyl protectants out there that act like sunscreen for your car. Use them every few months.
- Watch the Zippers: If your top has a zip-down rear window, keep those zippers lubricated with a bit of beeswax or specialized zipper lube. There's nothing worse than a rear window that's stuck halfway open.
- Fold Carefully: When you want to go top-down, don't just jam the fabric into the well. Make sure it folds naturally without sharp creases. Sharp folds in old vinyl eventually turn into holes.
Where to Buy?
Thankfully, the VW community is still going strong, and there are a handful of specialized shops that still manufacture the volkswagen thing top to original specs. "The Thing Shop" in Arizona is basically the Mecca for this stuff, but you can find options on various enthusiast forums and major air-cooled VW parts sites.
Prices can range anywhere from a few hundred bucks for a basic "just get it covered" top to over a thousand for a premium canvas setup with all the bells and whistles. Just make sure you're buying specifically for the Type 181; I've seen people try to adapt Beetle convertible tops, and trust me, it's a disaster waiting to happen.
Final Thoughts
The Volkswagen Thing is a weird, wonderful piece of automotive history. It's loud, it's slow, and it's about as aerodynamic as a refrigerator, but it brings a smile to everyone's face. Putting a fresh volkswagen thing top on your car is more than just maintenance—it's about giving the car the respect it deserves.
There's something incredibly satisfying about hearing those snaps click into place and knowing you're ready for whatever the weather throws at you. Whether you're heading to a local car show or just cruising down to the beach, a good top makes the whole experience better. So, quit squinting through that cracked rear window and get yourself some new fabric. Your Thing will thank you for it.