TheSamba.com :: View topic - My 1964 convertible

Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:06 pm

Hi again.

Here is an updated photos of this weekend works. If I find someone that could do the work of reducing the rear torsion bars by 3 inches each side in Puerto Rico, I could put my theory on the test. It will need some inner "tubing" work also.

Moldings and badges...

How 10 inches wheels look like with stock length axles....and what needs to be done...

Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:07 pm

HOT DAYUM 8)

Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:33 pm

So its going to be a dually? I would have done the tubbing before I painted the body :shock:

You could always do it up "Bigways" style; narrowed beam and wide rears :lol: :lol:

Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:09 pm

:lol: I can't find someone with a 10" wheels to fit and see how much it will need to be modified...so a roll of tape, two 5" stock wheels, and a lot of imagination....priceless... :lol: :lol:

I will need to be present on the cutting process for them not to touch the paint job... :evil:

Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:40 pm

Looks like a nice paint job!

Centerline will make any offset you want.

Have a pro narrow your torsion housing, or at least perform it youself under their direction. Dont muck around trying to perfect your welding skills here, maybe practice on something less critical.

Good luck and post up pics of your progress,
Nate

Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:31 pm

Quote: ...so a roll of tape, two 5" stock wheels, and a lot of imagination..

Haha... that sounds like something my Boriqua father would do...

Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:49 pm

:lol: Lets test your roots....hace cuanto tiempo llevas por Texas? De que pueblo eres? El Karmann Ghia azul es tuyo?

Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:31 pm

Man, my heart stopped when I saw the quality of the work done on your KG. Great job, man!

I read an article in the HotVW's when the bug's axles were shortened!

The inner wheel wells were dramatically modified, without however compromising the original dimentions of the rear fenders.

I think that can be applied to your awesome KG!

I'll try to look for the classic issue.

Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:08 pm

Hi, these are the new additions, top, front and rear disks, front bumper original rechromed, (rear one can't be found anywhere...). It is a good thing that your wife does not know the credit card password to access the account and see how much they cost .....Next are the engine assembly, receive the Pro Drag trans from Rancho, flywheel shield from Muffler Mike, wheels from Budnik and interiors. Still undesided if use 2 small intercoolers or 1 big unit....will see...

Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:48 pm

Hi, here is the latest arrival, Auto Meter Carbon Fiber instruments, fuel level is on it's way, Speedo, Tach and Boost. Also Rancho Pro Drag Turbo transmission with the race axles 3" shorter each. Now the fun beggins, cutting the rear to fit the trans and build the engine.

Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:13 pm

Ramon,

Check out this thread on KCW's website, they narrowed the rear and fit 18 x 10 wheels on a Ghia.

http://www.kustomcoachwerks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=367&start=0

This Ghia was never finished and is not listed for sale on Samba.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=494912

Check it out. This might help you. The car looks great, but you should have tubbed the rear end before you had it painted.

Ron

Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:37 pm

Ron:

Thanks for the link. I read it, it looks that they selected the path of building the car around the wheels...I will use a different approach, make it 3 inches shorter at the back, measure and made the wheels to fit the space available by purchasing customized ones such as Budnick or Bonspeed ($2500 without tires... :( ). From my initial measurements, it seams that a 9in could fit out back with negative backspace. I think that in 2 weeks I should have the work done out back, and your right, when is time for tubbing, will have to repaint the inside again, will try to make it look as stock as possible. 8)

Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:42 am

Photograph the process and post the results here.

Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:34 am

Ramon,

I have custom made wheels on my car as well. He only does a few styles, but he will build the offset to exactly what you want. I choose 17 x 7 for my car, but he will build them 9 inches wide if you want. You can check out his website. He is a nice guy an the wheels fit great. I did not go with shorter axles.

The website is www.esajianwheels.com
His prices are much less than the other two places you listed. The bolt pattern for my car is Porsche 5 x 130.

Ron

Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:05 am

Excelente Ramon, favor envía fotos cuando termines tu trabajo y sigue tu persistencia.

For the others :

Excelent Ramon, please send pic when you fisnh your work, and do not give up

Ivan

Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:58 pm

You 'vert looks hot man! Nice job!

Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:51 pm

Wanted to share some updates....

After purchasing Boxter chrome wheels, and put away (on hold) the 3 inches short axles SAW modification (found wheels that do not require for me to modify / narrow rear end) and order stock lenght SAW axles...only 2 of them arrived, so needed to send them back for a refound...but not before test them on my project. After measurements and fit test, 3/4 of the fender lip needed to be trimmed and some trim to the in the inside...but they would fit with a small spacer...now have to remove the disks kit and installed the drums again to use stock rims in the meantime... hera are some photos, enjoy...

Rancho turbo drag trans, SAW axles

7 front, 9 rear, and they fit with minor triming

test fit, later I installed the trans and fit the 9 in wheel with the disks installed, spacer was needed..

Interior almost finished since last weekend

Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:11 pm

Very nice! Really wanna see that thing sitting on the ground. Keep the pics coming!! :D

Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:38 pm

Thats a helluva nice car.

Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:48 am

Looking good! Keep us posted. Cool interior too!