| Author |
Message |
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 8:03 pm Post subject: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
 |
|
| Been working on this project for a while. My goal is to have the best of both worlds. A Ghia hardtop in which the top will be removeable thus giving me a convertible as well. To do this project I will need a roof off a donor car since I want to cut off the roof with enough excess surrounding the base of the top, so that it will sit on top of the project car with overlap on the sides, back, and windshield frame. The quarter windows will stay with the roof. I will also be reinforcing the pan with 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 box beam (1/4 " wall). The box beam will bolt to the pan from behind the jacking points (which will be removed) to just behind the front beam, using the existing body to pan holes. I have a badly damaged '68 body on a perfect '73 pan. I also have a rough but straight '66 body. I will use the doors, hood, rear deck. and roof off the '68. I will be posting pictures. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Thanks for charing john, that's cool. I've been working on this project for over 6 months and it is essentially done, but never had the time to post along the way, so I'll start posting photos of the build.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tisius
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011
Posts: 1570
Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:05 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Looking at the pictures you're creating a removable body 
_________________
drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Gotta start somewhere. Once I get the white body on the '73 pan, I can cut the roof off. Of course, with the body off is the perfect time to install the weld in adjusters.
[/url] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bt
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 441
Location: chicago
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 4:44 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
There was an article a few years back in Hot VW or VW trends about making the top removable.
Ill see if I can find it.
I really like the looks of the white Ghia. It looks much more professional than trying to keep the 1/4 windows.
_________________
Most people think that they are thinking....... but all they are really doing is rearranging their prejudices |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Once I cut the roof of the white car, I closed up the top of the windshield frame with steel. Then I made a stiffening panel out of a two by four to reinforce the leading edge of the roof. Then I made steel dowels to locate the roof to the top of the windshield. Then I also welded up steel locating dowels on the roof under the quarter windows to holes drilled onto the body (also reinforced with steel plate).
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
I came across this information posted at http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=18688&page=50
| Quote: |
| The removable hardtop was created by the great skills of Andy Barry and Richard King (Of GCC and now Karmann Konnection) They decided to go wild and just chopped the roof off in 1987. They fabricated the rear lid area at the base of the rear screen, also added a lot of steel strengthening to the chassis and also to the A post and A pillar. So much so that it feels more solid and "together" than many modern cars. It certainly feels as though this has added a lot of extra weight which will blunt performance. (seems fairly sprightly though..) Was featured in Volksworld issue 2, if you can find a copy Also on the Bug Jam '88 DVD/video. They also reprofiled the lines along the side, look at a standard ghia to see the differences. Also shaved the bonnet badge and the ghia badge down the sides. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kurt912
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2014
Posts: 158
Location: The Woodlands Tx
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
This looks well executed...
_________________
1964 MG Midget MK1 Monte Carlo Replica
1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1972 Mercedes 250 Coupe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
carl4x4
Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2012
Posts: 679
Location: United Kingdom
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
I reinforced the pan using 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 thick wall steel box channel which bolts up using the same holes as those that fasten the pan to the body. I cut and welded in an angle near the front, so that it's one solid piece from the rear wheel arch to jut behind the front beam. Added about 40+ lbs, but didn't take any pictures. I also built the motor, a 1914 with a 110 cam, light flywheel, big valve heads and Kadrons, just enough for it to get out of its own way. My goal was also to keep the entire cost of the project to under $2500.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Got the seats out of a Hyundai at pic a part on half price day, $50 for both.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2004
Posts: 281
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 7:49 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
I like your progress. Please post pictures of the reinforced rockers/pan.
_________________
BUS BOYZ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Body work done, almost ready for paint.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
Damn, that looks like it will be a LOT of fun when it's done!
Great work so far - thanks for sharing it with us.
I'll be anxious to see how you intend to secure the hardtop in place.
For the front I imagine you'll be using simple clamps like those used on the VW Thing or Rabbit Cabriolet.
If so, check out the stainless steel versions offered by The Thing Shop.
For the rear perhaps you can use the hardware that Porsche uses for the Boxster's optional removable hardtop. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
| Thanks for the kind words, by the way Darrel, your car is awesome, beautiful job. Mine's basically gonna be a just a nice driver, a ten footer. I used 4 steel dowels that locate the top to the body. The front ones go in almost horizontally and the rears vertically. Then there's also 4 latches, two in front, two in back. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowbuck72
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Chino HIlls, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
My $100 paint job
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mellow Yellow 74
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 1615
Location: Sydney, Australia
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia with removeable Hardtop |
|
|
| lowbuck72 wrote: |
Body work done, almost ready for paint.
|
Very cool, best of both worlds!
_________________
1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
