Vehicle Details
- Year: 1971
- Make: Volkswagen
- Model: Type 181
- VIN: 1812259120
- Mileage Shown: 79,000km (5-digit odometer)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Registration
- Color: Green
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Dealer Fees: None
- Location: 3780 Gstaad, Switzerland
- Country: Switzerland
- Lot #: V-0056051
The Volkswagen Type 181, or Kurierwagen, was originally developed for military use, drawing inspiration from the Type 82 Kübelwagen. It utilized mechanical components from the Type 1 and featured a rear-engine platform, manual transmission, and flat-four engine. This 1971 Type 181 is said to have been used by the Swiss Army and is reportedly one of just 11 test vehicles built by Volkswagen in an attempt to secure a military contract. It is now being offered for auction out of Switzerland accompanied by a host of documentation and equipment.
This example comes finished in non-metallic green with a tan removable soft top. Features include removable doors and side windows, a folding windshield, dual side mirrors, body-color bumpers, and 14” steel wheels with body-color hubcaps and Volkswagen logos. Detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The driver is greeted by a simple interior with brown vinyl upholstery for the low-back front bucket seats and the rear bench. Accessories include a 2-spoke black-painted steering wheel, body-color surrounds, door storage pockets, and a passenger grab handle. All gauges and switches are said to be in working order.
Power comes from an air-cooled 1600cc flat-four engine driving the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller states the vehicle has been fully serviced in preparation for the sale, with no outstanding maintenance items reported.
This sale will include a registration, a toolkit, a spare tire, a first aid kit, an extra fuel tank, equipment, and a host of documentation.
The seller would like you to know: “Amazing piece of Volkswagen history. A very rare one of 11 produced Type 181 specially built for the Swiss Army for assessment purposes. Used for several years by the Army. The car is fully original, fully functioning, and roadworthy with a fresh MOT passed. All original accessories are supplied with it, including the original Swiss Military plates!”
Comments (4)
Bid in the amount of $1,500
Bid in the amount of $1,000
Hello, yes it is equipped with the limited slip diff option code M 220
The others are the M 063 special equipment, which consists of the blackout lights, rear fog lamp, speedometer with 10th km reading, fully suppressed and watertight, equipment fittings, starting handle, laminated windshield, Ebersprächer heater.
And option code M 008 which VW lists but cannot identify. Most probably A Swiss specific request.
Best.
Do you know the transmission code? Do you know if it is equipped with a ZF LSD?