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Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:34 pm

There were a couple of Ghias that made a showing at Speed Week Aug 12-18 in Bonneville. No records were set but they made some respectable speed. I would be happy if my Ghia did 140mph in the quarter mile. :)

#573 Qtr 139.667 Mile1 133.841 Mile2 140.417

#57 Qtr 131.600 Mile1 124.287 Mile2 129.995

Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:47 pm

No wheelie bars on either car. Very interesting.

Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:51 pm

What I found interesting is that both cars reached their near Max in the first 1/4 mile. Seems like they needed a few more gears.

Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:07 pm

thats pretty cool, i've always wondered just how fast a ghia can safely go.

Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:54 pm

A good question for debate: I figure with the correct suspension mods, wider tires, and discs on all 4. I would go up to 140-150kmh. I think after that you would run into aerodynamic issues that would be a lot harder to overcome.

Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:50 pm

70 140 wrote: I would go up to 140-150kmh. I think after that you would run into aerodynamic issues that would be a lot harder to overcome.

whoa whoa wait, don't you mean 140 MPH not KPH?

140 -150 KPh = 87-93mph, that's nothing 8)

But surely a 500hp turbo 2600 TIV could get it above 190mph, the Bader ghia can supposedly do 300kph (180mph) with it's 330hp 993 engine and a small spoiler under the nose, but iI kinda doubt those claims don't you?

Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:57 pm

maybe these areodynamic bits would help, i saw this car in the back lot of a used car dealership here in Houston, but "it no for sale senior"

however being fibreglass, it may just rip off @ 120mph

Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:31 pm

vwdmc16 wrote: 70 140 wrote: I would go up to 140-150kmh. I think after that you would run into aerodynamic issues that would be a lot harder to overcome.

whoa whoa wait, don't you mean 140 MPH not KPH?

140 -150 KPh = 87-93mph, that's nothing 8)

But surely a 500hp turbo 2600 TIV could get it above 190mph, the Bader ghia can supposedly do 300kph (180mph) with it's 330hp 993 engine and a small spoiler under the nose, but iI kinda doubt those claims don't you?

No I was thinking somewhere around 100mph tops. Thats it for me. The fun is all in the getting there.

Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:32 am

Hey, I know those cars! :shock: My father built them both!
My dad is Larry Monreal. AKA Laarry's Old Volks Home in San Bernardino.
(That's me standing behing the yellow car) We sold the green car about 8 years ago. The new owner is running a 2180, and needs to go over 175 MPH (hasn't come close yet) The yellow car is running class "H" size engine. Under 1500cc (1497) It has a water cooled Rabbit, de-stroked running an inter cooler, fuel injection and a Turbo. Dad's best speed to date with that size engine is 168 MPH :shock: Dad currently still holds 6 world land speed records. This year (and last :cry: ) we had some turbo problems. But there's alwasy next year :lol: Dad is 80 years old now and has been running at Bonneville since 1948.
Rodger

Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:07 pm

74 AUTOSTICK wrote: Hey, I know those cars! :shock: My father built them both!
My dad is Larry Monreal. AKA Laarry's Old Volks Home in San Bernardino.
(That's me standing behing the yellow car) We sold the green car about 8 years ago. The new owner is running a 2180, and needs to go over 175 MPH (hasn't come close yet) The yellow car is running class "H" size engine. Under 1500cc (1497) It has a water cooled Rabbit, de-stroked running an inter cooler, fuel injection and a Turbo. Dad's best speed to date with that size engine is 168 MPH :shock: Dad currently still holds 6 world land speed records. This year (and last :cry: ) we had some turbo problems. But there's alwasy next year :lol: Dad is 80 years old now and has been running at Bonneville since 1948.
Rodger

Way cool! Why are they both going slower at 1 mile than at a quarter mile? For record, all you need is speed, not acceleration, right? Why not some real long gears?

Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:22 pm

vwdmc16 wrote: The Bader ghia can supposedly do 300kph (180mph) with it's 330hp 993 engine and a small spoiler under the nose, but iI kinda doubt those claims don't you?

I have spoken with someone who has ridden as a passenger in the Bader car. By his testimony, at the equivalent of around 170 mph on the demonstration run, the car was reportedly rather - shall we say - sketchy. She'll do the magic 300 (km/h), but it's scary.

Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:09 pm

wow, that would be VERY intresting, i really wish there was a video of that, in fact more media on the Bader ghia would just kick ass

Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:25 pm

74 AUTOSTICK wrote: Hey, I know those cars! :shock: My father built them both!
My dad is Larry Monreal. AKA Laarry's Old Volks Home in San Bernardino.
.... Dad's best speed to date with that size engine is 168 MPH ....Dad is 80 years old now and has been running at Bonneville since 1948.
Rodger

Roger,

That is great...good to see your dad is still doing what he likes best.

Do his friends call him Fast Larry? That is incredible, 6 land speed records.

Is that him in the driver’s seat?

Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:28 pm

74 AUTOSTICK wrote: Hey, I know those cars! :shock: My father built them both!
My dad is Larry Monreal. AKA Laarry's Old Volks Home in San Bernardino.
(That's me standing behing the yellow car) We sold the green car about 8 years ago. The new owner is running a 2180, and needs to go over 175 MPH (hasn't come close yet) The yellow car is running class "H" size engine. Under 1500cc (1497) It has a water cooled Rabbit, de-stroked running an inter cooler, fuel injection and a Turbo. Dad's best speed to date with that size engine is 168 MPH :shock: Dad currently still holds 6 world land speed records. This year (and last :cry: ) we had some turbo problems. But there's alwasy next year :lol: Dad is 80 years old now and has been running at Bonneville since 1948.
Rodger

If anyone is interested, the green car

is currently for sale (although I'd be surprised if it's not already spoken for).
HERE is the link - just scroll about half way down the page and you'll see it.

I can vouch for the dealer, as I purchased my car from Bill a couple years ago.
I know he has had that car for a bit (not 8 years though), and I believe he has made at least one run at El Mirage with it.
There is a couple paragraphs about it on their "Lobby" page - again, just scroll about half way down the page.

If anyone does end up talking to Bill about the car, please be sure to tell him that Daryl (the guy that bought the yellow '67 Ghia coupe from him) sent you.

Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:54 pm

Just thought I would let the Ghia contingent know a Ghia class has been added to the 36hp Challenge. You can also race Ghias for top speed in the USFRA 130 Mile Per Hour Club in September on the salt. If you like high speed and Ghias, check out the information found at www.saltflats.com and follow the link to the 130 Club and if you like 36hp Ghias in particular, go to www.burlyb.com .

Additonal contact information is available at both sites..........

Burly

Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:48 am

36hplandspeedracer wrote: Just thought I would let the Ghia contingent know a Ghia class has been added to the 36hp Challenge. You can also race Ghias for top speed in the USFRA 130 Mile Per Hour Club in September on the salt. If you like high speed and Ghias, check out the information found at www.saltflats.com and follow the link to the 130 Club and if you like 36hp Ghias in particular, go to www.burlyb.com .

Additonal contact information is available at both sites..........

Burly

Sweet! finally something in my neck of the woods to go to :D see you at Bonneville 8)

Thanks for the post BTW :)

Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:40 am

I would think that if you got the nose as low as practical and added a front airdam then the Ghia would do ok. I would say that a couple of degrees of nose down rake would be a good start. Also fill in the area between the bumper and the front sheetmetal. 13" front wheels would probably help get the nose down to the surface.

Some sort of rear spoiler would also be good if allowed by the rules. Something like what an NHRA Pro Stocker has.

IMO, the 1000cc classes and the 1500cc classes are the only ones that an ACVW would have even a tiny chance. In the 1500cc classes you have lots of DOHC 4valve motors to contend with.

Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:13 am

I'm surprised there are not more Ghias running in the 36hp Challenge. OK the KG is a heavier car than the Beetle but this is more than offset by the slick Coupe shape plus its greater stability at speed.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:52 am

Friends of the Ghia

We hope you can come to the Bonneville Salt Flats this September to watch your Ghia brethren race down the long black line. Both big block VW's and 36hp Challengers will be on the salt competing. Below is some of this years happenings:

1st---RK Smith from HOT VW's has just announced in the April issue of the magazine that he has scheduled a visit to Bonneville this year to cover the 36hp Challenge and other VW's racing at the World of Speed event in September. Be sure to have your VW's looking great as they may get caught on film(O.K., on a digital card, but you know what I mean). In the past I have provided Bonneville coverage to HOT VW's and the 2010 year event's story should soon be included in a summer issue of the magazine. Having HVW's on site in 2011will mean better photography and more timely publication of your efforts and their interest is truly appreciated.

2nd---Weber 48 IDA(and IDM) Carburetors are now legal in the DSS36 categories of the 36hp Challenge. We have recently received confirmation by way of published reports showing these carburetors were available in 1964 on Shelby Cobra's making them pre-65 and legal to run in DSS. This should open up more carburetor possibilities for many DSS Challenge participants that have been unable to locate good performing components in the used market.

3rd--- Wolfsburg West has offered a $1000.00 contingency award to 36hp Challengers racing in the Bug, Ghia and Bus DSS (pre 65 dual carb) categories. To win this award, it is not necessary to use the complete Okrasa replica kit they now manufacture. You only have to run the WW dual port heads supplied in the kits and also sold separately. These heads can be modified and used with the aforementioned Weber 48 IDA carbs if you choose. Details on this generous offer from Wolfsburg West has been sent to you in a separate specific email earlier today.

4th---The Australian version of Bonneville kicks off this years 36hp Challenge with as many as five or six 36hp entries participating. The DLRA Speedweek starts later this month with Steve Muller and his Team Ratmuller Racing leading the charge with both big block and 36hp racers being assembled as we speak. In addition, Mark Holyoak will again return with his big block Super Beetle to make their Speedweek the biggest down under VW land speed event ever and coverage will be provided by VolksWagen Magazine Australia (VWMA). These mates from OZ will be great competitors to us above the equator folks so do not be surprised if some 36hp Challenge records get bumped up before the Maxton, Mojave, Texas, Maine and Bonneville events.

This year is already shaping up to be even better than 2010 when we had over 13 36hp Challengers on the salt along with another 11 VW air and water cooled racers. If you think you will be racing your 36hp Challenger at Bonneville in September or at any other venue around the world this year, please get in contact with me and supply both photos and details of your effort. As you know, I maintain a history of VW land speed racers and want to make sure your efforts are included.

I would like to take this moment to personally thank both HOT VW's and Wolfsburg West for their support and encouragement in our 36hp efforts. Be sure we return the support to their repective efforts.

Take care till next visit and may the Speed be with you.....................

Burly

Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:05 am

I just got word the the 2010 World of Speed story on VW racers is in the May issue of Hot VW's magazine hitting the stands now.

It includes lots of photos of the racers should you like to see the Ghias, Bugs and other VW participating.

Burly