DJ's Oct '58 Coupe - Motor '57

[63 vwnotch]

LOL !!! I just read through the thread and think it's hilarious you thought the heater channels on your 71 were not in your skill set !!

after I saw your nose fab I was besides myself
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BUS WANTED: 13 window BUS any year considered..

[sputnick60]

I love this car! The colour is fantastic.

Karmann used so many lovely Glasurit metallic colours in the 50's and Dupont only in the 60's came out with its metallic shades which became very fashionable. Yet from the 60's Karmann used only non-metalic colours. Such a missed opportunity.

Another reason to love those Low-lights

Nicholas
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'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!

[djway3474]

[djway3474]

[djway3474]

Well fellow travelers, the journey is essentially complete. Just waiting on a few pieces of chrome and that is it.
I hope to have her insured and registered soon and get her on the road to shake out the bugs (get it? bugs LOL)

It has been a long difficult journey but I made it. I hope I inspired others out there to tackle their restorations.
Thanks for the encouragement along the way.

[sputnick60]

It looks lovely in the sunshine. You've finished it within four years. Well done!
Now go out and enjoy her and I hope the check runs don't come up with much that needs fixing. I'm replacing the generator on mine after only 1000 Kilometres. So we want nothing like that going with yours. Fingers crossed!

Nicholas
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'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!

[John Moxon]

Dwayne...that is without a doubt one of the best restorations we're ever likely to see.

You are a Top Ghia man too, not just for chronicling every step but for finding, making and above all sharing solutions to missing parts. For those who have forgotten there were Glove Boxes, Grab Handle Seals, Door Felt Retainer Strips and what a triumph were the '58/'59 Waffle Visors. I'm sure there are other items I've forgotten but this restoration topic will go on giving help and inspiration to those who need it in the coming years.

Just go out and bask in the glory that's due to you. Thanks mate
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John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[myghiarocks]

Beautiful Ghia. Congrats. Enjoy it as much as possible.

[PeteSC]

Beautifully done! Congratulations on reaching the finish line, and thanks for sharing the progress along the way. Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of her!

[swavananda]

[giraffeinbath]

I've just read through this again from the beginning, it's a fantastic restoration thread and a beautiful ghia, you must be a very happy man
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:: www.karmann-ghia-forum.com
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[Loren]

Your Ghia looks great! Now if you could just get the chroming issues resolved...

[d5626]

Wow DJ, good job! Looking back on the past pages to remind myself of the four years of your hard work. Real happy for you and hope to see it in person soon.

[djway3474]

Thank you all for the kind words. I just hope to get the final chrome parts on the car and go for a drive before my time is up
If you want something, there is only one thing you need to get to where you want to be. Persistence. 95% of this project was actions I had never undertaken before.
When someone told me the part was not available I called someone else and guess what, it was available, the first place I called just did not carry it. VW used parts of the shelf for other vehicles, look at them all.
If the part truly is no longer made, or hard to find, I would research how it was originally made and then figure out how to do it on a small scale and by extension help out as many other VW lovers as I could.
If it was done before, it is possible.
As Ringo says "Peace and Love"

[djway3474]

Well, I am still waiting on the last bits of chrome but I could not take it any longer and I took her for a spin.
First I put the Fuchs on, which have tires that are from this century.
The car rode amazing and was very quiet. When I set up the suspension it I set it slightly lower than stock although the rears seem to have some positive camber, I have not measured the angle so just eyeballin it. There is also an oversized sway bar up front. Oil shocks front and gas shocks rear. Kumho smart car tires up front. Love the feel.
After the complete rebuild all that I found to fix was the turn signal cancel mechanism, and intermittent ground problem with the wipers which would also run past park home, and the fuel gauge was not reading.
Got all those things fixed.
All I can say about the motor is WOW it is SLOW. It feels rough under acceleration but I measured the exhaust temp on each cylinder and they are all the same so I am guessing that is just how it feels. I have not driven a 36hp since I was learning how to use a clutch so it has been a while The whine of first gear brought back some memories.
Once she is finished I will take her out for a longer drive to see what the temps run et cetera. Happy so far

[djway3474]

Finally got the last of the pieces installed. I took her out on the open road today
This combination of suspension and tires is the smoothest riding VW I have ever had. Down the highway it was as smooth as glass. Air noise around the window was the loudest contributor to noise. Everything is very solid feeling when closing doors, hoods etcetera.
The lil 36er took a while to get up to speed but once she was up to speed she was very smooth. I was surprised how well it pulled from 65mph and up. If it had greater compression it would probably be pretty good. The trans shifts very tight. Brakes, well lets just say I give a lot of room to the car in front of me.
Little touch ups needed here and there then a final clean up.
For a garage restoration I am very pleased.
Now - More Power

[John Moxon]

Brilliant...love it Dwayne.

The fact that it rides and drives so well won't come as a surprise to anyone who has watched this restoration over the last 4 years...your meticulous attention to detail is a glowing example to everyone.

The ride height looks perfect.

Soooo...Vintage Speed or DKP?
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John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[paul_round]

Love the colour!
Bernina blue?

[John Moxon]

[auto_vagabond]

Okay, I cheated and started reading the build thread at the end...you have me hooked now.

Great job, Derrick. You have great skills and patience. Now back to page 1...
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1971 Ghia Coupe