Immediately’s Good Worth or No Cube VW Factor is sort of a Vehicles 101 class—a fundamental introduction to the motorized vehicle and nothing extra. Let’s see if we are able to all make an informed guess about what it would moderately be value.
I’ve to say, I used to be a bit shocked on the voting end result on yesterday’s 1994 Jaguar XJS convertible. These automobiles have discovered a footing within the collector market and, as such, have seen a gentle rise in worth. As well as, due to the distinctive nature of our automobile, which has a uncommon manufacturing facility guide (one in all 99, so claimed by the vendor), it appeared the vendor’s $16,900 ask needs to be inside attain. Most of you disagreed, nevertheless, drubbing the massive cat in a 72 % No Cube loss.
When new, yesterday’s Jag strove to be the peak of luxurious comportment and an emblem of wealth and attainment. Immediately’s 1974 Volkswagen 181 ‘Factor,’ alternatively, proffered none of these aspirations in its preliminary mission.
First developed as a navy automobile, VW determined to convey the 181 to America in civilian type with the hopes of it benefiting from the off-roading craze created by aftermarket dune buggies and Baja Bugs that employed the corporate’s older Beetle merchandise. Like these automobiles, the 181 was unabashedly plain Jane.
Cheekily designated the ‘Factor’ within the U.S. by VW’s entrepreneurs, the 181 was created from a hodgepodge of components, using drivetrain elements from the Beetle and Bus and the platform from the Karmann Ghia. Atop that’s an open four-door, five-seater physique with all of the fashion and sophistication of an industrial washer.
For all their bare-bones simplicity and tenuous security, they’re endlessly endearing and charming. Nonetheless, that allure couldn’t maintain the Factor right here within the U.S., as security advocate Ralph Nader singled out the mannequin for its shortcomings. That led to the U.S. authorities in 1975 reclassifying it as a automobile as an alternative of a truck, which brought about VW to drag the mannequin from the market following the dedication that it couldn’t moderately meet the stricter security requirements that entailed.
In accordance with the vendor, this one isn’t initially from the U.S. however as an alternative was as soon as used for public service by the Mexican authorities. Which means it was probably constructed not in Germany however in VW’s Puebla plant in Mexico. Since its public service days, this Factor has seen a major restoration, with the advert noting new paint, wiring, and physique rubber, with the outcome giving the automobile an general tidy look.
It’s additionally mentioned to be mechanically sound, its 1.6 pancake 4 having acquired a latest valve adjustment and tune-up. Different plusses embrace new brakes and tires plus a pair of comfy-looking entrance seats. There’s additionally a brand new prime, though that’s not proven within the advert. The aspect curtains are proven within the froot shot, however they don’t look all that sizzling. Additionally questionable are the headlight eyelids that make the automobile seem prefer it’s being continuously admonished. Then there’s the truth that lots of the photographs within the advert seem like they’ve been taken through the automobile’s restoration, so we don’t precisely see the automobile as a complete.
Regardless of that, we get the vendor’s reassurance that the automobile is in “glorious” situation and sports activities a modest 64,000 miles on the clock. Its working days in Mexico now far behind, this 181 maintains a clear title and present Arizona registration. Oddly sufficient, it’s provided within the Reno, Nevada Craigslist and is listed as being within the Sierra Nevada city of Portola, California.
Now, earlier than we get to the worth, we should always word that the marketplace for VW Issues, like that for Transporters and Busses, has been sizzling for a while. Their fundamental nature may lead one to consider that these are four-figure automobiles day in and time out, however prefer it or not, that hasn’t been the case for years. At $12,000, this 181’s worth is on the low finish for even right now’s deflated market. That’s not, nevertheless, to say it’s a deal.
What do you assume? Is $12,000 a good price ticket for this 181? Or does that worth warn us to go away this Factor alone?
You determine!
Reno, Nevada, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
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