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hardtail13
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2011
Posts: 57
Location: Madison, WI
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 Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:47 pm Post subject: LowLight with late model front clip? |
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I have an opportunity to get a solid Lowlight with what seems to be Original paint. Okay, Original paint is a term I say loosely with this car because it has a late model front clip.
So my questions to the experts is besides the headlight, fresh air nostrils and the rear portion of the lower front fender metal, what is different about the clip. This website http://www.repuestossam.com sells all these metal pieces which are stated to be spec'd to factory shape and gauge.
i am tempted to pull the trigger on the car but I really want someone to educate me on what else I might be missing in the differences between the front clips. Besides the 3 items I mentioned what else should I be aware of. With the right guy welding in the new panels would I still be disappointed?
If I have overlooked a thread, in the forums, on this topic please steer me there.
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1958 Ghia
1964 Ghia
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Loren
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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| It all depends on how much of the front clip they used. Did they just use the fenders and nose? or did they cut it from the dash forward? What year clip was used? How well was they work done? What year is the low light you are looking at? |
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John Moxon 
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Location: Southampton U.K.
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CiderGuy
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hardtail13
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Joined: July 24, 2011
Posts: 57
Location: Madison, WI
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:15 am Post subject: |
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| It all depends on how much of the front clip they used. Did they just use the fenders and nose? or did they cut it from the dash forward? What year clip was used? How well was the work done? What year is the low light you are looking at? |
It is a '57 with what looks like a 60's front clip. The owner does not know where it was grafted and when it was done. He does say that he can find no place where it was welded; which makes me feel like it was the whole front clip.
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Pictures of the Ghia in question would be a major help.
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John. |
I'm trying to get some better pictures from the owner at the moment.
I don't believe these pictures are very useful in figuring out the story.
If I lived closer I would get my own eyes on it.
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John Moxon
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djway3474
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Joined: August 19, 2011
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Location: The Real NDK So Cal
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:06 am Post subject: |
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If your dash is correct it may have been just the headlights and nose section.
A friend of mine had a Ghia his father had purchased new. When the nose was crunched the dealership talked him into "modernizing the look" and put on the newer nose pieces. Around 1960 it happened. It was also black.
It was a very good job and really could not see what had been done without very close inspection. |
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hardtail13
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Joined: July 24, 2011
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Location: Madison, WI
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:15 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feed back guys.
The dash looks to be of a '57 due to not having the gas gauge or sending unit in the tank for that matter. So if the lower rears of the front fenders are of the LowLight era where would the grafting if taken place in your opinion?
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hardtail13
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Joined: July 24, 2011
Posts: 57
Location: Madison, WI
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| A friend of mine had a Ghia his father had purchased new. When the nose was crunched the dealership talked him into "modernizing the look" and put on the newer nose pieces. Around 1960 it happened. It was also black. |
djway, is it possible this is the same car?
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d5626
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Location: Pomona
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:45 am Post subject: |
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| Front hood spring supports are the correct early style so front clip wasn't replaced. Looks like rear of front wheel arch is correct. You'll need some photos of front inner tire wells to try and look for welds. You have a little movement on inner panel where id tags are attached, I'd want pictures of whole spare tire well area. Doesn't look that bad if only the nose needs replaced. |
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pbaptist
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:08 am Post subject: |
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An easy check is to look if the original body number is still there.
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Dutch Karmann-Ghia and coachbuild lover.
1* Karmann Ghia Coupe (1966 Teak)
2* Karmann Ghia Convertible (1958, 1971)
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Karmann-Ghia Lowlight page and registry
Karmann-Ghia Collectibles database |
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mfitzsimor
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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If the work was done so well (possibly by an actual VW body man) that you can't find a seam, you should also contemplate this question -
Should you even consider hacking a solid, nice looking, profesionally repaired, early car up to graft in parts that are at best inexpensive imitations of the originals?
Sorry, but I think its worth evaluating if you or someone else will be able to do a better job than the first one. If so, then hey - its only money!
Mark
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iowegian
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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Rhetorical question here--------------if a Low-light has newer front fenders (with the headlights up higher) is it still a Low-light? Or is it a 1957 Karmann Ghia.?  |
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hardtail13
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Location: Madison, WI
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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I talked to the owner and she said a knowledgeable VW guy came over and he believes the the grafting took place where the rubber seal lays for the hood. How far up they went from the front he did not say but it was hard for him to find.
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| Should you even consider hacking a solid, nice looking, profesionally repaired, early car up to graft in parts that are at best inexpensive imitations of the originals? |
No... and yes. If you can make it be more original then sure why not. As far as the aftermarket metal I would be curious if there are any success stories in using them. They are suppose to be exact repops. Inexpensive is a subjective term; I think to buy the fresh air inlets and the headlight repair metal it would run $900.
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An easy check is to look if the original body number is still there.
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I will check on this.
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c21darrel
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iowegian
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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That one looks like it has very low lights now. |
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KGCoupe
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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| iowegian wrote: |
That one looks like it has very low lights now. |
I believe that it's fairly common for headlights to sag and begin to point downward with age. |
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hardtail13
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Joined: July 24, 2011
Posts: 57
Location: Madison, WI
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| So my questions to the experts is besides the headlight, fresh air nostrils and the rear portion of the lower front fender metal, what is different about the clip. This website http://www.repuestossam.com sells all these metal pieces which are stated to be spec'd to factory shape and gauge. |
It would seem that the question from my first post was answered?
The lowlight droop in the headlight position starts only a few inches back otherwise it is the same shape fender as the 60's with exception of the nostrils and rear bottom of the front fenders.
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c21darrel
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hardtail13
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Joined: July 24, 2011
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Location: Madison, WI
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:46 am Post subject: |
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How many people would consider turning a solid LowLight with a seemingly certified 60's front clip repair back into a LowLight as opposed to keeping it a...
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| Rhetorical question here--------------if a Low-light has newer front fenders (with the headlights up higher) is it still a Low-light? Or is it a 1957 Karmann Ghia.? Confused |
??????
I know this question might get me blasted but what would the car be worth with the late model clip and most of the Original parts (no interior, scripts or badges)?
I would estimate $1k in metal at the very least plus the labor to get it installed correctly.
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