TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:59 pm

I am now the proud owner of this 1969 KG convertible. I have never owned a VW before, so I have a lot to learn. I have been lurking around the site for the last week and Love it. From the same owner, I also picked up a 1970 Fastback, that's alot closer to road-ready than the Ghia. As you can see, I'll have my hands full.

[/img]

Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:43 pm

Where's the top?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:17 am

Is that a real convertible? Almost looks like someone cut the top off a coupe? Do you have any more pics?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:56 am

Looks like its a good project. I have seen much worse!!
Good luck, My wife has wanted a ghia vert for years. The ones we find are either twenty grand or so far gone they are only good for parts. Looks like you found one in the middle. Good luck.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:38 pm

The P.O. took the top off, but I have it. I don't have any better pics right now. The Ghia is not at my house yet. I still have to clear a place for it in the garage. I see about more pics.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:17 pm

Loren wrote: Is that a real convertible? Almost looks like someone cut the top off a coupe? Do you have any more pics?

X2

Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:49 pm

Weld the roof back on?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:51 pm

Here are some more pictures. Does it look like a chop job? Or is it supposed to look this way?

[/img]

Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:29 pm

That is not a convertible. That is a coupe with the roof cut off.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:51 pm

Aww, that kinda sucks. Hope the PO braced it up real nice for ya. Honestly, I would have considered chopping the roof off a coupe before I found the Samba. Knowledge is a powerful tool in helping to avoid costly mistakes.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:14 pm

I guess it's gonna be a convertible now. I do have a top, the frame at least. I'll have to check on the bracing when I get to that point.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:35 pm

I would do one of four things with this car, in this order:

1. find a roof section from another coupe and weld it back on
2. sell it and find a real convertible
3. find a real convertible and use this one for parts and or sheet metal
4. run the car like it is and take out a life insurance policy, just in case things go wrong down the road

You can't just bolt a convertible top mechanism onto this car. There is a lot of extra bracing that is needed to not only attach the top to, but bracing to keep the body from flexing. There is a lot of extra bracing around the rear seat area and extra bracing in the rockers that keeps the body from flexing. Without this bracing there will be metal fatigue where the body flexes and eventually these points will give out. Your resale value will be much higher if you weld a coupe top back on. If you run the car as is you won't get much for it if you try to sell it later. Just look in the classifieds where you will find a cut coupe called "el giablo", with a price of $2000 and the ad was originally placed on October 30, 2006!

My vote is weld a roof back on and enjoy it!

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:51 pm

Thanks Loren, I'll see when I get to that point.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:52 pm

Looks like a nice project. I say put a roof on it and have fun

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:57 pm

I can possibly get a roof, but what years will fit?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:01 pm

This is sad if someone told you this was a convertible when you purchased it. You should have grounds to take it back and get your money back. You can do what Loren suggests which would be the cheapest and smartest route but if you are crazy like F4u5T and me, you could spend a lot of time and money on something like the cars in the thread below and join our little band of merry idiots :)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338895

Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:10 pm

Im not sure where you live, but in Texas at least I know you can return an auto or get out of a contract for your money in 3 business days even if the seller did not lie to you. Add in possible dishonesty and you probably have more of a window. If I were you (remember this is just my humble opinion) I would run like hell from a chop topped coupe. I can look at the cuts on it, and I would bet my firstborn that it is going to be a basket case and money pit even if you were given the car for free.

On another point, another difference between coupe and vert is the rear seat area. To make it correct, you would really need to source the rear seat area sheet metal and have some massive surgery.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:16 pm

I bought the car from a widow, selling off her husbands stuff. She didn't know about anything done to his cars, she just needed to clear it out. For the price, I have options.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:04 pm

it all depends on how you intend to use it. If the doors close well, I'd say weld some tubes to the rockers and run it. Maybe do a rattle can paint job and call it good.

If you intend to put a vert top onto it, you'll have to pick up a junk vert and blue print (copy) a bunch of stuff over. I know a guy who has done it. He's a professional and it took him a very long time.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:49 pm

This project is next in line, I'm working on a 1970 Fasty now. This will give me time to look for parts cars. Thanks for everyone advice, greatly appreciated. I'll post more pictures once I get Ghia home.