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Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:48 pm

I have a 1974 ghia. What is the difference between the 1973 and the 1974 ghia. Many vendors seem to sell parts that only go to 1973. Also, what is a California Ghia? Is that a paricular type? :D

Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:30 am

73 and 74 are very similar. There are a few differences. What part specifically are you looking for?

There is no special model that is a CA Ghia. Some people refer to ghias that spent there whole lives in CA as CA ghias. Mine is a CA Ghia. Usually a benefit to this is that there will be little to no rust.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:53 pm

Some refer to what is called a Cal look Ghia. The fron windsheild rubber and rear glass rubber is replaced with a rubber that doesnt accept the chrome trim . Hey i live in Toms River also.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:15 pm

74 "had no back seat" but early ones did.

74 is much, much more rare.

In fact, a 74 coupe is twice as rare as a 56 coupe!

Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:44 am

fastinradford wrote: ... 74 "had no back seat" but early ones did. ...

That's absolutely correct. :wink:

And only TWO people are allowed :!:

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:03 am

fastinradford wrote: 74 "had no back seat" but early ones did.

74 is much, much more rare.

In fact, a 74 coupe is twice as rare as a 56 coupe!

I thought '73s and '74s both had no back seat. I thought '72 was the last year for a back seat.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:20 am

Not totally certain of all the differences between 73 and 74 but they are slight. The biggest problem, with my 74 coupe at least, has been locating correct parts. As the 74 was the last year the Karmann Ghia was to be manufactured, sometimes the part for the 74 was unavailable and, it appears, that they used whatever they had available to finish the build. I have seen many diffferences between various 74 coupes.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:36 am

NOVA Airhead wrote: ... I thought '73s and '74s both had no back seat. ...

The reason was, that in some U.S. states from 1974 seat-belts on the rear seats were required. But because the fastening of seat-belts for the rear seats was technical too complicated, the seats have been eliminated.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:23 am

Any differences in bumper mounts? My 74 doesn't seem to have the machine-gun tubes. Can't seem to see any signs of nose replacement (original paint underneath). Were they different state by state also?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:48 am

It was mandates from the DOT (Federal) that caused these
changes for 1974 models so there was no state-by-state variance.
Also, the front bumper tubes and the deleted rear seat
happened during 1973 model production. This is why
some 1973's have the tubes and no rear seat.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:40 pm

Think late 74's have a smaller diameter steering wheel shaft.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:46 am

74's also have the seat belt interlock. I gave away my 74 only dash indicator a few years back! Maybe the bug was the same..?

74's also have an alternator, not a generator.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:42 am

If I remember correctly about mine, the red/orange brake warning light on the middle of the dash also has the seat belt warning light above it. The gas gauge in the clock requires the stabilizer/vibrator because it had a different type of sending unit.
Also, the clock will only have one light for the turn signals, an alternator indicator symbol here instead of the generator symbol, no parking light indicator.
The rear bumper will be about 1" further away from the body then prior models.
Did I miss anything?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:43 am

74s have only one turn signal indicator in the clock, 72 and 73 have one for each side. The bezel on the clock and speedo on 74 is black, 72 and 73 are chrome. 74 is the only Ghia that has a combo brake-seat belt indicator. The steering wheel in late 74s has a different sized spline. There are other small things I can't remember right now.

Alternators started midway through 73.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:45 pm

'74 autosticks were the only ones to have 'park' (that may have started with the other changes in '73?)

-sam (happy owner of two of those rare '74s heh)

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:29 am

did 73 also have the t4 style gauges?

Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:30 am

superman73 wrote: did 73 also have the t4 style gauges?

If by "t4 style" you mean...

...this version started in 1972 and carried through 1974 to end.
As noted above, chrome trim rings at first, then dark anodized.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:32 am

Ghiaddict wrote: superman73 wrote: did 73 also have the t4 style gauges?

If by "t4 style" you mean...

...this version started in 1972 and carried through 1974 to end.
As noted above, chrome trim rings at first, then dark anodized.
yes. i have a 70 parts car with the flat beetle style gauges.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:21 am

A 70 Ghia shouldn't have beetle gauges. It has it's own style gauge.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:29 am

swhitcomb wrote: A 70 Ghia shouldn't have beetle gauges. It has it's own style gauge.
i know that, just saying beetle style because they are flatter, not deep like the 72-74 ghia's