Just found some pictures and videos of the "The Thing" only (Kubel Treffen) event held in Kentucky each year. Out of of about 60 or 70 Things that showed up, every Thing was off white/cream, Orange, yellow or Green. Looked like there was only Two Red Things. Then there was a couple that camo, blue, purple, etc.
As you somewhat mentioned David, Seems there was only a couple colors the Things came out in, even though Red was an available color for 183 vin number and up.
Ron