The year was 1980, Jimmy Carter was in the White House, the Piña Colada Song was on the radio, and a 4×4 Volkswagen model called the Iltis won one of the first Paris-Dakar off-road rallies. Forty years later, a Volkswagen Iltis–along with 26 other Radwood-era rigs–returned to rally at Dakar in the all-new Classic category of the famed off-roading race.

The Volkswagen Iltis is quite a ‘thing’

see a volkswagen iltis and other radwood classics reenact past paris-dakar rallies

Volkswagen Iltis | Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Volkswagen company built the off-road ready Type 181–also called “The Thing”–from 1968 through 1980. It was a rear-engine, RWD convertible designed for militaries and off-road enthusiasts. By 1980, Volkswagen phased out “The Thing” in favor of the new 4WD Type 183.

The 183 may have been slightly larger and more capable, but it was every bit as capable. It was a bit reminiscent of the G-Wagen of the era, but its approach angle was improved with a relatively high bumper and small grille.

The little VW proved very capable off-road. It was this model that won the 1980 Paris-Dakar off-road rally, a 4×4 race established in 1978 which crossed much of Africa and Europe.

How the Dakar Classic came to be

see a volkswagen iltis and other radwood classics reenact past paris-dakar rallies

Mitsubishi SUV in the 12th Paris-Dakar rally | Yves Forestier/Sygma via Getty Images

Ignacio “Livingston” Corcuera is a fan of the Volkswagen Iltis, even setting one up to rally off-road. He always dreamed of racing it in the Dakar rally.

The original Paris-Dakar Rally has simply become the Dakar rally; it consists of two weeks of rally courses in Africa. For the past several years, Russian-built KAMAZ trucks have swept the trucks category while Toyota HIluxes, Peugeots, and even a one-off Mini Cooper Dune Buggy have been favorites overall.

With contestants running all manner of customs and even motorcycles, it does not seem far-fetched that Corcuera could race a Volkswagen Iltis. But sadly, it was not meant to be: regular Dakar 4x4s must have a hardtop. Because the Iltus has a canvas roof, it was prohibited.

Corcuera’s solution was to lobby for a Classic category. He told Petrolicious that it took years to convince race organizers to allow a pre-2000 category. But when they greenlight Corcuera’s class, 26 other teams entered to race against his Iltis. See the 2021 race highlights in the video below:

Radwood-era classics ruled the Dakar Classic

?The Dakar Classic 2022 was another blast from the past!
Comment below with your favourite Classic vehicle on the Dakar ?#DakarClassic | #Dakar2022 pic.twitter.com/RFOhJK8ln5

— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) March 18, 2022

The organizers of Dakar settled on a lower entry fee for the Classic category (though all racers pay the same for recovery if necessary). The Classic crews share a bivouac with the Dakar Speed contestants, but each day they run a parallel course better suited to their older vehicles. The Classic contestants are not timed. Instead, they attempt to finish the assigned course with as few deviations as possible.

Entrants to the Dakar Classic category must all be cars or trucks built before 2000. The 2021 winner was a Sunhill Buggy run by a French team. A Mitsubishi Montero entered by a Spanish team took second place, and a Renault truck run by a French team took third. In 2022 a Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ80, entered by a French team, took won the Classics category. Second place went to a Mercedes ML, also run by a French team. A Mercedes G-320, entered by a Spanish team, came in third.

Other picturesque Dakar Classic entrants include a rally-spec Porsche and a VW Bug dune buggy conversion. And, of course, there’s Corcuera’s Volkswagen Iltis–the car that started it all.

Check out the inaugural Dakar Classic class in the video below:

Keyword: See a Volkswagen Iltis and Other Radwood Classics Reenact Past Paris-Dakar Rallies

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

VW “very worried” about future of South African factory

Thomas Schaefer, head of the VW global passenger car brand, said he is “very worried” about the future of the automaker’s South African operations. VW has been in the country for nearly 80 years, producing models such as the iconic VW Polo across four generations for export to over ...

View more: VW “very worried” about future of South African factory

Volkswagen Confirms New Entry-Level, China-Specific EV Platform

It will be used on four new models, with a starting price of less than $20,000.

View more: Volkswagen Confirms New Entry-Level, China-Specific EV Platform

Volkswagen to launch $20,000 EVs on a new platform in China, its most important market

Volkswagen plans to launch a new entry-level EV platform in China to keep pace with Tesla and BYD. The automaker will introduce EVs starting at around $20,000 (140,000 yuan) to win back buyers in its most important market. Competition in the world’s largest EV market is intensifying as price ...

View more: Volkswagen to launch $20,000 EVs on a new platform in China, its most important market

Volkswagen to launch China-specific entry level electric platform

HEFEI, China/BERLIN Nov 24 (Reuters) – Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) said on Friday it will develop a new platform for entry-level electric vehicles in China and use more local components to lower costs, as the German company seeks to regain lost ground in the world's biggest auto market. The new architecture, ...

View more: Volkswagen to launch China-specific entry level electric platform

How much is my Volkswagen Golf worth?

Determining the value of your used car before you sell it will help you get the most out of the transaction. Find out how you can get an accurate valuation on a Volkswagen Golf and what factors influence its value. How do I find out how much my used car ...

View more: How much is my Volkswagen Golf worth?

The best bakkies in the world are both built in South Africa

The South African-made sixth-generation Ford Ranger and second-generation VW Amarok have been voted as the joint winners of the International Pick-up Awards (IPUA). While both bakkies have won the accolade two times before – the Ranger in 2013 and 2020, and the Amarok in 2011 and 2018 – this ...

View more: The best bakkies in the world are both built in South Africa

Volkswagen South Africa and DHL join forces to showcase the all-electric ID. Buzz in SA

DHL and VWSA join forces NewsBy: Ian McLaren As part of VWSA’s plans to introduce a host of all-electric ID. products into South Africa in the coming years, the brand has joined forces with world-renowned logistics company DHL to showcase the characterful ID. Buzz. DHL and VWSA join forces ...

View more: Volkswagen South Africa and DHL join forces to showcase the all-electric ID. Buzz in SA

Volkswagen becomes the latest automaker to hike wages for U.S. factory workers

Companies Volkswagen AG Honda Motor Co Ltd Hyundai Motor Co Nov 22 (Reuters) – Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) said on Wednesday that it would hike salaries for production workers at its Tennessee-based Chattanooga assembly plant by 11%, weeks after the United Auto Workers union won significant pay and benefit hikes from ...

View more: Volkswagen becomes the latest automaker to hike wages for U.S. factory workers

Volkswagen opens ID.7 Vizzion electric sedan pre-orders in China starting at $33K

Volkswagen is getting closer to cell-to-pack (C2P) EV batteries

What is the Volkswagen Golf top speed?

Volkswagen begins operating first wholly owned battery pack plant in China - local govt

Volkswagen Virtus Sound Edition launched at Rs 15.52 lakh

Volkswagen Taigun Sound Edition launched at Rs 16.33 lakh

Volkswagen's APP550 Electric Motor Bottleneck Spreads In Europe

Can a Volkswagen Polo Vivo tow?

Supply problems set to hit Volkswagen's Skoda unit - Handelsblatt

Volkswagen's Largest EV Plant Slows Down Again Due To Weak Demand

All 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 EVs In U.S. Recalled Because Sunshade May Be Flammable

Volkswagen ID.7 2023 review: Sleek Tesla Model S rival is the perfect SUV antidote

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel