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If you want to get to know the USA, take a road trip. And if you want your vehicle to stand out, you’ll choose a car that could hardly be more purist – a Volkswagen 181. It even happens to turn 50 this year!

Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
A 181 is actually driven with the top down, regardless of the weather: author Stefan Grundhoff crusing the American South.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
The 181 is known as “the thing” in the USA.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
Two classic cars: an old campervan and the 181.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
It’s useless to lock the 181. And the bike locks on the suitcases will hardly deter thieves.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
Lunchstop in Appalachicola, about 75 miles southwest of Tallahassee, Florida.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
Its foggy and damp on Santa Rosa Island, at the coast of Pensacola, Florida. A working heater was missing.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
Check the interior: The thing is as pure as can be.
Story "Cruising the USA with the 181"
Fortunately, we did not need it: Spare wheel and tool kit under the front hood.
Story "Cruising USA with the 181"
Nobody wanted to bother with the manual gear box, so the car was left parking right in front of the hotel entrance.
Story "Cruising USA with the 181"
For awhile, the thing was assembled on Bali, Indonesia. It is still on duty there, as colorful shuttle for tourists. About 140,000 units were produced, altogether.

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