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'59 Karmann Ghia 'Low Nose' topic
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Quintus
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:57 am    Post subject: '59 Karmann Ghia 'Low Nose' topic Reply with quote

Hello,

Hereby I am introducing my recent acquisition.
It's a '59 Karmann Ghia Lowlight (seller called it 'Low Nose', thought it was funny so that will be the nickname).

Seller imported it from the States, where it lived most of its life in Arizona and then in California (what the seller said).

As you can see there is plenty of work (paint, interior etc.). But the body is straight, engine runs perfect etc..

My plans are to swap the black for chrome (already started on the hubcaps), drop it and then we will see.

Let me know what you guys think Wink

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Quintus
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Already swaped the radio this weekend.
My brother had an old radio laying around, so that was a no-brainer.

Luckely the dash wasn't hacked to bad.

Before:
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After:
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One down, 10000 things to go! Cool
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LaurensM
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice brother!
Next year cruising to Wanroij and Spa?
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63Ragtop NZ
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder whats under the nasty white paint?
So much potential for improvement, good luck!
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Quintus
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks..

Still busy with the Ghia..
Slow but steady. Grill & Turn signals:
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But.. I need your help.
The newbee I am, I cannot seem to find the Engine No.

I know it's a 1600cc, but that's it.

Any ideas?
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Quintus
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 2:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any suggestions Laughing ?
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Abscate Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 5:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Someone has obviously removed the engine serial number. There are no reasons for doing this that are good. Suggest you check your VIN numbers on the dash and trans tunnel before you invest any more time or money.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Abscate wrote:
Someone has obviously removed the engine serial number. There are no reasons for doing this that are good. Suggest you check your VIN numbers on the dash and trans tunnel before you invest any more time or money.

Sinister indeed. Poor Quintus will certainly be incarcerated for a long time because of this. Wink
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jpjohns
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's kind of cool, the numbers on the bottom of the generator pedestal are showing the firing order. Weird the engine number is gone though.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 10:31 am    Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia 'Low Nose' topic Reply with quote

Quintus wrote:
...
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...

Wow! Those are some pretty crazy seat covers. Smile

You've got a nice looking Low Nose Ghia there.
Plenty of potential to have a nice original looking car with some relatively simple changes for sure.
On the other hand, I actually kind of like the current look and would probably just enjoy it as is for a while.

Good luck with it.
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oldbusboy
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't sweat the fact the numbers are missing from the motor. It may have been a stolen motor, but it isn't the correct motor for that car and if everything else about your purchase of the car is solid I'd keep going. Might be worth asking the PO for an explanation just for peace of mind.

Trevor
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Altema
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't worry about the engine number either, as long as the other numbers are ok and the paperwork is straight. I would be curious about it if it was mine though.

Since it's getting chilly, one thing to correct is the decklid seal on the engine compartment. It should be on the lower half of the opening to seal against exhaust fumes being pulled into the heating system. The upper half of the opening should have no seal, and the rain that falls in the gap is channeled around the opening by the raised lip.

Paul
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Quintus
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok guys. Thanks for the replies!
I hope I will not get arrested Razz.. But I believe everything is ok, since the car has been exported from the States and entered (and is registrerd in) the Netherlands. Besides all the other numbers are present..

But it looks like there has never been a number (no scratches etc.). A while something about that back in the days replacement engines were not stamped with numbers.. Don't know if thats true or someone (in the same situation as me) made that up though Razz

All I know about the PO's is what the seller (dealer) told me:
He said the car was bought new by a Hippie from Arizona who drove it until the late 80's and then it was sold to a lady in California. And she sold it this/last year to the dealer who sold it to me Razz

@Altema: Thanks, I will look at that. Like I said its my first Aircooled, so there are plenty of things to learn and fix (i know there are still more seals missing). Fortunatly I can keep the car in my garage, so its safe and dry. Cool
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have read the same thing about replacement engines many times. No numbers but I have no direct knowledge
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

From the 58-67 Beetle forum

Quote:
Tom Wilson (and others) are wrong about that. VW only stamped real serial numbers onto engines going into production line vehicles. Brand new engine blocks sold though the dealers, were sold blank. Remanufactured engines had the VW-Recycle logo on them, early on a 2nd number was stamped off to the side from the original number, later on the original number was milled off and an engine code was stamped in its place.


...but IMHO your picture shows an engine where the serial number has been removed, rather than shipped blank. Unless Im mistaken, it looks like it has been milled off rather inexpertly.
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Quintus
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah.. I took a closer look and cleaned it up a bit.. And it does show some filling or sorts..
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So grab the VIN off the tunnel and the dash, make sure they match, and make sure you have clean ownership. If you know it was imported from CA have a friend run the VIN for you. Don't worry about the motor.

If the dash and tunnel match, my guess is 99.9 you are ok. It's really bad VW Khama to drive someone else's Ghia...
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Quintus
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 5:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

He Guys,

When I bought the car, it came with a large box with a lot of parts. I finally had time to sort them out and I have identified plenty of (usefull) parts. But there are still a lot of parts that are unknown for me.

Can you help me identify them?

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Thanks!

btw in the meanwhile I have checked the VIN on the tunnel and it matched with the one in the nose. So that was comforting Razz.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quintus wrote:

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Chrome plate: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=614457
Sack-cloth sock: Original sound dampening sock usually over rear wheel arches behind interior & engine compartment side panels.
Chrome rings: Trim around Speedo and Clock.
Spiral Spring: Window winder trim tensioner.
Straight Spring: Throttle cable carb spring (possibly)
Tubes x2 (bottom centre): Bumper clamps for towel rail bars.
Vent trim x2 (top left): Padded Dash windscreen vent trim.

I'm sure others will chip in Smile
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quintus wrote:
...
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...

I can help with the more obvious stuff:
The radio antennae looks just like the one from my 1967 Ghia coupe - I'm guessing that the dealers probably used whatever style and brand antennae they got the best bulk deal on as I believe that all radios were dealer installed items.

The wooden shift knob looks to be some aftermarket piece that must have been added by a previous owner at some point.

The two roughly "C" shaped pieces near the small plastic box of nuts and bolts look to be door striker pieces, but I'm not certain that they are Ghia door strikers.

The two round rubber pieces look like the gaskets used between the base of the bullet style turn signal base and the nose of the Ghia.

I think I see a set of clock hands between the turn signal base gaskets and the door strikers, and it looks like the tip of the minute hand is bent downward. Not sure if those are Ghia clock hands, but I doubt it - they look more like pieces from a house clock rather than automotive clock hands.

Just above the clock hands I see a pair of chrome coat hooks that would mount on the roof just above the door post.
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