View Poll Results: Should I buy a 1958 Karmann Ghia Convertible restore project?
Deeeer easy question, yes!
13
56.52%
Will cost way more than you think and they suck, no!
10
43.48%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll
Should I buy a 1958 Karmann Ghia restore project?
08-31-2004, 02:55 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by NZ951
60HP? lol this one was 36HP! I was thinking 914 engine... but 911 SC or something would be nice. I would have to think about brakes and so on, so it could get expensive quick...
08-31-2004, 04:40 PM
#17
Race Director
Thread Starter
Oh that would be perfect! Its no registered or certified so I would have to do something like that to make it safe if a bigger engine was dumped in...
09-02-2004, 03:50 PM
#18
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I had a convertible one once for about a year but I was broke and couldn't afford to restore it. Guy that bought it from me restored it and put a 912 engine in it. Wish I still had it.
EJ
EJ
09-02-2004, 03:55 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by NZ951
Oh that would be perfect! Its no registered or certified so I would have to do something like that to make it safe if a bigger engine was dumped in...
Cheers
Tom
PS Did you get my mail regarding the T60:1?
09-02-2004, 05:31 PM
#21
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Well I would say definately get the KG convertable!
I am currently restoring one for my wife. VW made roughly 350,000 ghias, with 80,000 of them convertables. Ghias were manufactured from 1957 through 1976?, when the Jetta took over.
Ours is a 1969. My favorite year. 1969 was almost a one off year. In 1969 disk brakes were put on the front axel. The 1500cc engine came standard. The auto stick transmission was offered. 6 volt electrical changed to 12 volt. The suspension had a major redesign. It changed from swing axel to semi-trailing arms, torsion bar and CV joint axels (similar rear suspension to our 944). This improved handling so much that magezines of the time, were comparing the ghia handling with Porsche cars. The 69 body retained the early bumpers and the small glass rear tail lights. In 70 the tail lights went to plastic and doubled in size. Also in 70 the ugly 5 mph bumpers were installed. In 69, VW made 3500 four speed convertables and 1077 automatics. Ours is an automatic, but I am converting it to a 4 speed (keeping all the auto parts of course).
The ghia sits in the garage right next to my 951. I can't tell you how many times, when the garage door is open, people pass by (young/old/male/especially female), stop, come in, and say "A Karmen Ghia Convertible" cool! No interest in the turbo. Granted it is a brighter red than the 951. My wife had the painter use a "pure dye lot" Porsche guards red. The factory muddies up the guards red (adds a dose of another color) so that the paint can be matched. Dye lots can vary, so they are very difficult to match. Yes next to the ghia the guards red 951 looks orange.
Even in its current painted, but shell (and I MEAN shell, no electrical wires, interior, top, glass, nothing but tin) condition, the Ghia vert is a magnet. Go for it!
I am currently restoring one for my wife. VW made roughly 350,000 ghias, with 80,000 of them convertables. Ghias were manufactured from 1957 through 1976?, when the Jetta took over.
Ours is a 1969. My favorite year. 1969 was almost a one off year. In 1969 disk brakes were put on the front axel. The 1500cc engine came standard. The auto stick transmission was offered. 6 volt electrical changed to 12 volt. The suspension had a major redesign. It changed from swing axel to semi-trailing arms, torsion bar and CV joint axels (similar rear suspension to our 944). This improved handling so much that magezines of the time, were comparing the ghia handling with Porsche cars. The 69 body retained the early bumpers and the small glass rear tail lights. In 70 the tail lights went to plastic and doubled in size. Also in 70 the ugly 5 mph bumpers were installed. In 69, VW made 3500 four speed convertables and 1077 automatics. Ours is an automatic, but I am converting it to a 4 speed (keeping all the auto parts of course).
The ghia sits in the garage right next to my 951. I can't tell you how many times, when the garage door is open, people pass by (young/old/male/especially female), stop, come in, and say "A Karmen Ghia Convertible" cool! No interest in the turbo. Granted it is a brighter red than the 951. My wife had the painter use a "pure dye lot" Porsche guards red. The factory muddies up the guards red (adds a dose of another color) so that the paint can be matched. Dye lots can vary, so they are very difficult to match. Yes next to the ghia the guards red 951 looks orange.
Even in its current painted, but shell (and I MEAN shell, no electrical wires, interior, top, glass, nothing but tin) condition, the Ghia vert is a magnet. Go for it!
Last edited by Bill; 09-02-2004 at 08:32 PM.
09-02-2004, 09:34 PM
#22
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I learned to drive in a 63 Ghia. I would give almost anything to find one and restore it.
09-03-2004, 12:02 AM
#23
Three Wheelin'
cool project if you get it NZ951!! A 3.0l SC engine would be great but if you havent seen this already
914 engine and gearbox
i have a 914 4-spd transaxle but my stepdad has dibs on it though I dont know what he has planned for it
914 engine and gearbox
i have a 914 4-spd transaxle but my stepdad has dibs on it though I dont know what he has planned for it
09-04-2004, 07:24 AM
#26
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Thread Starter
lol, no thats how much its worth! It needs soooo much work. I offered about 3.5K
Which means when in restored condition will be a USD10-12000 expense.
Hey do you have an AC delete kit handy going cheap?
Which means when in restored condition will be a USD10-12000 expense.
Hey do you have an AC delete kit handy going cheap?
