| Author |
Message |
95wvu95
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2015
Posts: 10
Location: United States
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:13 pm Post subject: Ghia - rockers repair |
 |
|
In general I'm a pretty handy guy. But when it comes to cars my technical knowledge is lacking. That said, I took my 72 ghia to a pro for body work. He stripped, blasted and epoxy primered the doors, hood and deck lid. They all look great. Then came the bad news. He started digging into the body and the rocker area has issues. The center divide looks like it's quite rusted. In fact, I'm worried about the whole area. I know to do it right I should have him replace the heater channels, center divide and outer rocker skin. Compared to other cars it seems like vw parts are fairly reasonable. But with labor charges I'm sure this will get expensive.
So here is my question - when do you pull the plug on a project like this? I see some nice looking ghias advertised all the time for pretty cheap. This project is going to add up quickly. If I was doing the repairs myself (if I was able) it might be different. Any advice???
If I decide to go forward how involved will the repairs be? Approximately how many hours would he have it the rocker replacement?
Thanks..Tony |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
motorhead364
Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2008
Posts: 715
Location: Amarillo Texas
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 2:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The bad thing about the ghias you see advertised is the rust is easily hidden or unknown by the owner unless a recent resto has been done. It will up the cost of the paint and body work but you will have piece of mind knowing it's right and will be for a long time. I wouldn't throw in the towel yet unless you were just building a car to flip. Stop where your at and sell as a project.
_________________
63 ghia coupe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3916
Location: In Molinya Orbit
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 5:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There is an active thread on this very topic that covers the matters in great detail. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598829
Have you looked through it?
You seem to have lodged a fair amount of money so far. If you are limited in funds then perhaps flipping it now is the best thing. However, doing the job of replacing the rockers is the ultimate good approach. Both those points have already been stated as the long term fix. It will not be a waste of paint.
So don't waste more money taking it further if it isn't going to be done right. As a project for sale, a buyer might just appreciate the work done thus far.
Nicholas
_________________
'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
95wvu95
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2015
Posts: 10
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 6:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks for the input and direction to the link. I will review it in detail. It's not that I can't fund the repairs. Fortunately, I have the money to do the work - and have it done right. And I don't have a ton of money in the car so far. I guess my concern was having more money in the car than it is worth. But I've had this car for almost 10 years. All that time it was a bit of a disaster and never looked very good. We finally got in running good but then the body issue hit. That said, my kids would definitely be upset if I got rid of it. My 15 year old already claimed it as his. Not that money is the ultimate factor but what would a properly done 72 ghia be worth? Say I had all the rust removed, new rockers, sheet metal put on and a really nice paint job. Plus it runs well and has a nice interior. Basically say I had a very nice restoration done without the body being taken off. Any idea? I guess I'd prefer not to have 18k invested in a 8k car. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4111
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 6:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 95wvu95 wrote: |
| .....what would a properly done 72 ghia be worth? Say I had all the rust removed, new rockers, sheet metal put on and a really nice paint job. Plus it runs well and has a nice interior. Basically say I had a very nice restoration done without the body being taken off. Any idea? I guess I'd prefer not to have 18k invested in a 8k car. |
You won't be as upside down as you think. If you can keep your investment at around $15k you should be in pretty good shape!
_________________
"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”
Mike Gerson
What is your "Bespoke Reality"? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mscdman
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2014
Posts: 562
Location: Denver, CO
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
To give you an idea. Haggerty lists values for my vert from 8k-40k based on condition. I've spent wayyyy wayyyy more than the car is worth. Probably hasn't made a lot of sense but I'm stubborn.
I could have frittered the money away on other things or a hobby. I chose the hobby. I think the cars value will increase over time |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2015 7:45 am Post subject: Re: Ghia - rockers repair |
|
|
| 95wvu95 wrote: |
In general I'm a pretty handy guy. But when it comes to cars my technical knowledge is lacking. That said, I took my 72 ghia to a pro for body work. He stripped, blasted and epoxy primered the doors, hood and deck lid. They all look great. Then came the bad news. He started digging into the body and the rocker area has issues. The center divide looks like it's quite rusted. In fact, I'm worried about the whole area. I know to do it right I should have him replace the heater channels, center divide and outer rocker skin. Compared to other cars it seems like vw parts are fairly reasonable. But with labor charges I'm sure this will get expensive.
So here is my question - when do you pull the plug on a project like this? I see some nice looking ghias advertised all the time for pretty cheap. This project is going to add up quickly. If I was doing the repairs myself (if I was able) it might be different. Any advice???
If I decide to go forward how involved will the repairs be? Approximately how many hours would he have it the rocker replacement?
Thanks..Tony |
Unless someone can show photos and receipts of the work on the rocker/heater channel area its pretty difficult to find cars that do not have at least some rust issues in that area. I would say you are better off continuing with what you have.
At this point you know what you have. While it may be expensive to repair the rust your cost should be somewhat predictable at this point in the process.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
J1
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014
Posts: 698
Location: SoCal
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:38 am Post subject: Re: Ghia - rockers repair |
|
|
| 95wvu95 wrote: |
| I know to do it right I should have him replace the heater channels, center divide and outer rocker skin. Compared to other cars it seems like vw parts are fairly reasonable. But with labor charges I'm sure this will get expensive. |
I'm the owner of the "average joe" thread referenced above. My lesson has been that channel repair is not just channel/divider/skin... you liklely will need to replace the lower fender sections and also maybe the dogleg and bulkhead (which could require body off and more money of course). You should get a full assessment (which is very possible by looking at strategic places) before cutting.
| 95wvu95 wrote: |
| In general I'm a pretty handy guy. |
You sound like the type of guy that I started my thread for  Though I am not a success story (yet), I have fully enjoyed this process so far and am learning so much and falling in love with this thing more than I could have by being just a spectator. I did not set out to do this level of work and frankly was upset at first, but I am trying to make lemonade out of this lemon and it has been quite a positive experience. Good luck!
_________________
1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
95wvu95
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2015
Posts: 10
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 8:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Still trying to work this issue out. If the center divide is rusted around the heat vent does that mean the rocker is unstable? Still trying to determine if the center divide just controls air flow or if its structural? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djway3474
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2011
Posts: 2582
Location: The Real NDK So Cal
|
| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 9:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Structural |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
J1
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014
Posts: 698
Location: SoCal
|
| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 10:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 95wvu95 wrote: |
| If the center divide is rusted around the heat vent does that mean the rocker is unstable? Still trying to determine if the center divide just controls air flow or if its structural? |
Short answer: Structural. From your other threads, I gather you have a coupe like me, not a convertible. If that's the case, what you are calling the "center divider" is actually the outer wall of the channel. In this cross-section, it's the wall in the middle to give you a sense of how it provides structure...
And this pic shows you what that outer wall of the channel might look like...
Btw, here is how my 71 looked around the heat vent if you want to compare it to yours...
_________________
1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Karly
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2002
Posts: 641
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 3:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Also remember that most ghias have this issue (unless they've been restored and done properly). Even ones that look great still have it lurking inside as once it bubbles on the outside it looks like the pictures above.
The upside is if you do make the investment then you know that yours is all fixed and should last you another 50 years. Buy another one and you could face the same issue. Is your car for keeps? Then yes I think its worth the investment- they aren't making any more of these cars and good examples are hard too find!
What does your body guy estimate for time for repairs? My take is do it once and do it properly but I don't plan on selling my cars soon and they are a hobby for me not an investment.
_________________
1960 Beetle ''Heidi" daily driver
1964 Karmann Ghia project |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
95wvu95
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2015
Posts: 10
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 10:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks for the comments. Just so I understand completely - the heater channel panel (complete unit you can buy from KGPR or Cip1.com) is not the same as the rocker? I know I'm showing my ignorance but is the rocker a separate part that that heater channel sits on? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
