Bumper-less Ghias...

[Deckard]

I have been looking for a KG to give to my wife as a surprise gift, and I am finding a disproportionate number of them with some sort of custom job where both bumpers are taken out and the nose cone and tail filled and sanded smooth. I am now looking at a very nice '67 with tiny "nerf" (I think that what they are called) bumpers. The owner does not have the OEM parts.

How difficult is is to source the original (or repro) '67 bumpers? Are all late Ghia bumpers the same, meaning can I use a '72 in a '67?

And finally, what's with the bumper-less look?

Cheers

[retrofive]

[-Zodiac-]

Bumpers aren't cheap, unless you find one local, or junkyard. They come up on the classifieds here and I'm sure they sell reproduction bumpers and stainless ones. The curve of the bumpers between late and early are different so I don't know if you could use some from a 72.

As for the look it makes them look a little more 'mean' like they have some bite. Same goes with removing the chrome trim, makes it look less pretty. I don't personally care for this look, but I guess if the nose gets smashed you won't have to worry about replacing the bumper
_________________
1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

[c21darrel]

There are lots of bumpers/bumper parts for sale in the classifieds here. $100+ starting with blades only.
67 would have had 67,68,69 rear bumper with divots for the reverse lights. The divots are on the corner pieces, the rest is the same. The front is basically the same for all years except 72-74.
67 style...

Front...

70-71 corner, note it does not have the reverse divot and the hole for towel bar is on the flat, the one you are after has the towel bar hole around the corner and has a divot for reverse light.

note where the side mounting bolt on the inside is. This is what you are looking for, the bolt hole is very close to the end. If its more than a couple inches in its an EARLY bumper corner.

here is a pic of some corners i had with the divot, look close and squint, should be clear as mud

_________________
GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[-Zodiac-]

And here's a picture of a late model, taken from the rear of my 73. Not many people like these, compared to the ones above, you can see why. Big ugly and mine of course aren't the best example I actually like the late model bumpers and tail lights.

_________________
1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

[Deckard]

Thanks to all. I am going to look at the '67 tomorrow.

[-Zodiac-]

Don't forget to post pictures for us
_________________
1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

[mlhsquared]

Check the stickies above for various Ghia facts, including some info. about bumpers:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563123

Also check the section in that thread about year to year differences. '67 Ghias have many one-year-only parts.
_________________
Mike
'67 Ghia Coupe

[NOVA Airhead]

[asbug]

My Jenny came with a bent and rusty incomplete set.
I think a Ghia just looks naked with out bumpers, so I went with the SS ones from Vietnam.
Long wait and a pain to install, but overall I would do it again.
Here are some before and after shots:

_________________
1969 Ghia Vert - Jenny.
2004 B5.5 Passat Wagon - no name yet.
2012 Routan - Urban Assault Vehicle.

[Deckard]

[quote="asbug"]My Jenny came with a bent and rusty incomplete set.
I think a Ghia just looks naked with out bumpers, so I went with the SS ones from Vietnam.
Long wait and a pain to install, but overall I would do it again.
Here are some before and after shots:

Thanks for the before and after. Are the SS bumpers the stainless-steel ones I have seen at evwparts?

Cheers

[didget69]

Here is another option if you want to go with non-chrome/stainless bumpers on a pre-'72 Ghia.

http://vwinnovations.com/index.php?option=com_hika...Itemid=191

This is direction I'm headed - painting them body color.

bryan
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[CiderGuy]

[c21darrel]

[KGCoupe]

[Deckard]

FYI I passed on the '67, the driver's side rockers were rusted so badly there was a fist-sized tunnel on the rear wheel wheel. The rest of the car had a lot of cosmetic fixes, but not what I am looking for.

[asbug]