1974 Ghia Coupe

[ebhgmh]

I am looking at a 1972 Ghia Coupe that is a one-owner from Idaho (I am in Nebraska) and has all original equipment and never been wrecked. It is light blue and seems to run and shift well. Except for a window handle, I am told all parts/equipment are original (including gas heater in trunk on driver side). Interior has cracks on dash and some on passenger door. All instruments are in working order. It has approximately 80,000 original miles.

I am a long-time Karmann Ghia fan and have been looking to buy for about a year. I am not looking for a show car, but want one that is solid and can drive for fun on weekends. Any advise on a first-time buyer purchasing this kind of a car versus a restored Ghia?

Thanks

[jason_hamilton]

It's all about the rust...
Have you seen the car in person?
_________________
Jason Hamilton
The Online Karmann Ghia Resource

[EPETREA]

Also , check the inside of the nose , It is rare (not impossible) to find one without being hit at one time or another. Like mentioned above, RUST is the number one issue to deter you from a vehical. Misc parts . interior parts, engine parts... not all that unreasonalble, but start messing with body part replacment or repairing damage from wrecks and you can quickly get in over your head experience/money wise. I assume you got down and looked the ghia over yourself and didnt take their word for it when you said it has never been wrecked?? again. look in nose and under the rear and look for signs of impact. Rocker panels, and floor pans are anohter area of concern. Good luck.

[ebhgmh]

Yes, I have seen and driven the car. I checked out the nose, floor pans, rocker panels, et cetera. It appears to be pretty clean with no signs of impact. The driver door seems to sag about 1/32nd of an inch. That may just be the contact to the hinge. Also, there seems to be a little "play" with the steering wheel. That is to say the steering column and the wheel seem to not fit tightly together. It "wiggles" a hair. Any thoughts?

Thank again.

[djkeev]

If you've seen it, checked out the rockers for paint bubbles and made note of the torsion bar cover being there and not rusted away. What about the splash panels at the rear of the front fenders? Are they rusty at all? Above the headlights is another major rust spot on these cars. Check this area carefully as well.

If all this is good and you like the car and the price....go get it!

Dave
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o)

1974 Super Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=rust+repair

Creating a 69 1/2 Ghia Convertible out of a 69 Coupe and a 70 Convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

And the newest arrival!....... 86 Vanagon Westy!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

[EPETREA]

If the body is that solid and never been wrecked, better run out and buy a lottery ticket,,, cuz its your lucky day. Door sag is most likely from a worn upper hinge. Easliy fixed.

[Rome]

Loose steering can be an easy adjustment on the steering box, which is accessible behind the driver's side semi-round cover plate in the trunk behind the spare tire. Another more serious inspection area is to check the rubber+fabric donut/disc which connects the steering column to the steering box. There are 4 bolts which go through it. The rubber should not be cracked through anywhere.

Your title is "1974 Ghia", but you are looking at a '72. Was that a typo? Very few differences between them anyway.

Also check below the battery (next to the engine) for rot in the metal shelf where it sits. Very common, even on Ghias which would have otherwise very little other rot.

[ebhgmh]

Rome, you were correct about my typo. I am looking at a '74 not a '72 as I posted earlier. Is the area with the 4 bolts hard to get at or do i need to take it to someone to inspect?

Thanks.

[Rome]

If you turn the front wheels to the right, and you get behind the left wheel, then look up into the "arch" in the body. The disc is visible below the fuel tank. Take a good flashlight along, as well as a mat so you can lie on the ground and look in that area. Here's a photo of it as a new part; it's only about 4-5" diameter: http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=SSX0005&cartid=1230201125044225

It's not difficult to replace, though it's easiest to do it from above by first taking the fuel tank out of the trunk.

'74 do not have a back seat. Below the rear window ledge is an upholstered panel which flips down to reveal the rear luggage area. Otherwise the '74s are nearly identical to '72 and '73. When everything is in good condition and well maintained, they are very comfortable highway cars- they can do 75-80mph all day, have good safety belts (inertia reel) and you have lots of visibility due to the slim roof pillars. Though that feature is something in common with all Ghia coupes, since the window sizes never changed since production started.