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Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:27 pm

Just saw this thread. Great Stuff! Can I ask how much it would cost for you to install a new top on a 68 ghia? What would you expect to pay for the materials for the job?
thanks,
Lori

Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:34 pm

Not really possible to give an accurate labor estimate
without first inspecting the top frame, wood bows, etc. for condition.
Materials cost varies according to what type cover is chosen;
vinyl vs. canvas. I'd guess materials would be about $600
for only a vinyl top cover, headliner & padding kit.

Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:11 pm

Thanks for the quick response. I am considering buying a ghia convertible. The top mechanism is all in good shape but I don't like the color. Am going to paint the car and change the color of the convertible top. Can you give me an estimate of what it might cost (I understand it is only an estimate) for a convertible mechanism that appears to be working and in good shape?
thanks,
Lori
PS. I am assuming this would be too much work for a do-it-yourself job???

Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:21 am

Now, we're all assuming you'd like Vince to include the cost of shipping your Ghia from California to Florida in the estimate.

Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:19 am

John Moxon wrote: Now, we're all assuming you'd like Vince to include the cost of shipping your Ghia from California to Florida in the estimate.

I was thinking air fare and associated costs for a trip to
the left coast. Have tools, will travel. :D

Thu Apr 29, 2010 5:10 am

Ghiaddict wrote: John Moxon wrote: Now, we're all assuming you'd like Vince to include the cost of shipping your Ghia from California to Florida in the estimate.

I was thinking air fare and associated costs for a trip to
the left coast. Have tools, will travel. :D

If you were also thinking of someone to manage the project too...Hello. :D

Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:41 am

Hey I would love to have some ghia experts come out and help me but I don't think I can afford it! Just trying to get some idea of what a quality replacement will set me back...right now I have no idea...
Lori

Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:11 am

lstyles wrote: Hey I would love to have some ghia experts come out and help me but I don't think I can afford it! Just trying to get some idea of what a quality replacement will set me back...right now I have no idea...
Lori

Don't worry Lori, we're just pulling your leg. :wink:

I think if you send a PM to Vince he'll give you an idea of what you should be paying.

Sun May 02, 2010 10:50 am

I know that you use the foam seal for the header bow that mounts under the top material instead of the external seal with the the aluminum inserts. I found that the external seal cannot be compressed to the 2mm speced dimension for the ends of the bow. As measured the external seal assembly with the aluminum bars installed measures 8mm!
I would expect you would want a max of 2mm crush on the seal so the end dimensions for the external seal should be 6mm.
Am I correct in assuming this?

Sun May 02, 2010 3:49 pm

chassisboy wrote: ...I found that the external seal cannot be compressed to the 2mm speced dimension for the ends of the bow. As measured the external seal assembly with the aluminum bars installed measures 8mm!
I would expect you would want a max of 2mm crush on the seal so the end dimensions for the external seal should be 6mm.
Am I correct in assuming this?

If you mean shape the ends of the header bow to obtain a
6mm gap to the windshield frame, the math sounds right.
BTW, I've seen 2 versions of that external seal that uses the
metal insert bars. One was obviously way too big to
fit in any fashion and I expect some parts house sent out a seal
that was not meant for Karmann Ghia.

Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:25 am

Ghiaddict wrote: We're installing a convertible top for a fellow Sambanista and
would like to illustrate some of the steps here in the Ghia Forum.
His 1970 Ghia arrived here with the convertible framework and wood bows already installed and in good shape.

Watch this space for updates as work progresses. Some select photos of
the fundamental steps will appear here as progress points are reached.

Scope of the work will include:
1. Adjust top frame with bows for proper fit to body.
2. Install headliner.
3. Install padding.
4. Install top cover.

What follows applies to all Karmann Ghia cabriolet tops
from late 1969 through 1974 with the glass rear window.

New header bow, corner plates, guide pins and boots.

New rear wood bow. Keep the glass window in place during the process.

Some adjustments needed here for better fit to body.

This is a great thread Vince.
Im getting ready to install a top and was wondering if you knew off hand what size screws were used to attach the metal frame connections on the ends of the front header bows. Or does someone sell them. The wood screws I found do not completely countersink into the tapered holes (stick up bout 1mm) Maybe not an issue once padding is added. The next size down have the tapered head but are designed for metal. Thanks

Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:40 am

Bill,

I don't have a size spec handy, sorry.
I usually just take an example of the hardware I need
over to my local Ace Hardware and they've never let me down.

If you have 1 mm or less "stick-up", that may be OK. Just
remember to cover the end plates with squares of vinyl as shown
early on in this thread. After that comes some foam padding
before the top cover is slipped on, so you should be good to go.
Good Luck with the install!

Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:10 am

Thank you! I'll be coming back frequently to this thread along the way.
Do you remember where you purchased the waxed thread & 1 1/2" strappng?

Also I need to install a new bow header & end plates. Think it would be better to install end plates to the top frame before installing the bow?

BTW for anyone looking for other Ghia parts Vince is excellent to deal with.

Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:53 am

72Ghia wrote: Thank you!
Do you remember where you purchased the waxed thread & 1 1/2" strappng?

Also I need to install a new bow header & end plates. Think it would be better to install end plates to the top frame before installing the bow?

BTW for anyone looking for other Ghia parts Vince is excellent to deal with.

I waxed my own thread using a candle. Just draw it along the
sides and it becomes waxed. :D Harkens me back to my fly-tying days.
Yes, front corner end plates install before the header bow.
The 1 1/2" strapping can be had from Sewfine, Chuck's or any other
VW cv top supplier. Locally, all I could find was 2" wide strapping
for American Iron but one trim shop had a hot knife (Made in
Germany, no less) and they trimmed some for me once.

Sun Jul 11, 2010 1:43 pm

I got my wax thread, extra foam, and Elastic strapping at JoAnn's Fabrics. They are a large hobby & craft chain store. Wood screws @ Ace or Lowes. Ok, Home Depot too.

I should finish my vert top tonight.

Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:39 am

by any chance do you have anything similar for march 68 convertible,

i am just about to do mine, and both the trimmer and i could do with some guidance, especialy where the rear the hood and headliner attach to the rear of the bodywork

thanks

Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:04 am

Question is there anyway to repair two small holes on both side of convertiable top/right/left of my 64 ghia or is it just better and cheaper to replace top

Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:07 pm

Volkstuning wrote: by any chance do you have anything similar for march 68 convertible,

i am just about to do mine, and both the trimmer and i could do with some guidance, especialy where the rear the hood and headliner attach to the rear of the bodywork

thanks

Sorry, I don't have this documented with photos and such.
Recent tops we've completed were all of the later version.
As noted earlier, as soon as an early one presents itself here, I'll show
the different details on the Forum.

Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:14 pm

INLANDGHIA wrote: Question is there anyway to repair two small holes on both side of convertiable top/right/left of my 64 ghia or is it just better and cheaper to replace top

Small holes can be repaired using various methods but that
would most likely be a temporary fix.
Yes, it's better to replace the top cover but I wouldn't
call it cheaper. Is your present top canvas or vinyl?

Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:38 am

The top is canvas...Ya dont just want temp fix so guess will have to replace it then