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Fri Oct 11, 2024 3:03 am

EverettB wrote: I like the description they used to recently sell her home

Quote: Mid-Century fixer! This peaceful retreat in the Berkeley Hills was originally designed over half a century ago by Betty Saarni and her first husband - it was her home and joy until passing in 2023. A prolific and talented painter, one can see where she drew her inspiration from. Vaulted ceilings, clean lines and large windows beckon the verdant setting in. 2 original fireplaces keep winter evenings cozy and 2 sets of French doors to the deck welcome birdsong from the surrounding sun dappled maples and redwoods. Tucked away from the street on the driveway where Betty would back down her classic Karmann Ghia like a pro, you’ll find the main house that lives all on one level. A partial unfinished basement/workshop, an additional room with separate entrance and legal height ceilings on lower level could easily be integrated for more living space. This lil’ piece of history, this special home is ready for its new owner and vision!

Yes, Betty's niece Barbara who has been dealing with Betty's estate said last week "I am happy to report that, just this past week, I was able to sell Betty’s home in the Berkeley Hills. She would be pleased about the buyers; they like her 1960 (*) Mid-century Modern redwood house just the way it is. They plan to renovate it in keeping with its style." * Actually built in 1951.

Barbara has sent me a large package of the original documents to complete the history of the Ghia...it has led quite a life, fittingly, just like it's original owner.

More to follow soon.

Sat Oct 12, 2024 5:27 am

As I said previously, a couple of days ago I received a large package from Betty Saarni's niece.

Barbara has been dealing with Betty's estate since her passing last year and had, among her documents found a couple of folders with the untold history of Betty's and my Ghia. Not much of interest to most but manna from heaven for me.

There's a lot to get through so I won't flood the forum with a lot of the trivia but I thought I'd include a few interesting snippets here.

The original order form arrives in the "Oliver Imported Cars of Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley" envelope. The order form can be seen in my 10th Oct post above.

In an unusual move the car is ordered on The US Tourist Scheme, where the owner is flown to Germany to pick up the car but in this case Betty and her husband are lending the car to good friends Othmar Tobisch and his wife and they collect the car in Stuttgart, and take it on a 5 month extended tour around Europe.

This is the legal document drawn up to allow this to happen.

Would you do this? Nope me neither but who knows, they obviously liked and trusted their friends.

Sat Oct 12, 2024 5:45 am

Othmar Tobesch and his wife Margrit stood as proxy, they collected the car and set out on their vacation around Europe.

This is their route over 5 months, 13 countries and 9000 miles in Betty's new 1958 Karmann Ghia Coupe. Just reading this leaves me breathless. What a vacation...

I thought "Betty's Baby" was treading new ground when it arrived in England in September 2007...I was wrong, it had already been here in June 1958. :lol:

Sat Oct 12, 2024 6:02 am

At the end of their 5 months vacation in September they returned "Betty's Baby" to the Stuttgart dealership. Here the onward journey by rail and ship was organised...

The MS Travestein left Hamburg with its precious cargo on 10th September to arrive in San Francisco on 17th October 1958...

Pier 26 San Francisco Embarcadero, directly beneath the Bay Bridge:

Betty signed the receipt on 20th October and took her home to begin their 50 year relationship in 1434 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Berkeley.

Sat Oct 12, 2024 11:03 am

John Moxon wrote: Would you do this? Nope me neither but who knows, they obviously liked and trusted their friends.

A 5 month, 9,000 mile vacation on my new car? No.

If I'm buying a new car I wouldn't want to get it with 9,000 miles already on it.

Something much much shorter? Yes.

Sat Oct 12, 2024 4:37 pm

EverettB wrote: John Moxon wrote: Would you do this? Nope me neither but who knows, they obviously liked and trusted their friends.

A 5 month, 9,000 mile vacation on my new car? No.

If I'm buying a new car I wouldn't want to get it with 9,000 miles already on it.

Something much much shorter? Yes.

Huh? At 9000 miles the car is just run in.

When I bought my first VW Beetle (end 1970) the salesman told me to take it easy until the car had been "run in". Run in, apparently, meant the first 10 000kms. There was even a first service after 500 kms or miles - I can't remember which.

Sat Oct 12, 2024 9:41 pm

kiwighia68 wrote: EverettB wrote: John Moxon wrote: Would you do this? Nope me neither but who knows, they obviously liked and trusted their friends.

A 5 month, 9,000 mile vacation on my new car? No.

If I'm buying a new car I wouldn't want to get it with 9,000 miles already on it.

Something much much shorter? Yes.

Huh? At 9000 miles the car is just run in.

When I bought my first VW Beetle (end 1970) the salesman told me to take it easy until the car had been "run in". Run in, apparently, meant the first 10 000kms. There was even a first service after 500 kms or miles - I can't remember which.

I agree it would still be in great condition (hopefully) but it doesn't mean I want someone else to use it for 9,000 miles first after I paid for it.

Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:04 am

EverettB wrote: kiwighia68 wrote: EverettB wrote: John Moxon wrote: Would you do this? Nope me neither but who knows, they obviously liked and trusted their friends.

A 5 month, 9,000 mile vacation on my new car? No.

If I'm buying a new car I wouldn't want to get it with 9,000 miles already on it.

Something much much shorter? Yes.

Huh? At 9000 miles the car is just run in.

When I bought my first VW Beetle (end 1970) the salesman told me to take it easy until the car had been "run in". Run in, apparently, meant the first 10 000kms. There was even a first service after 500 kms or miles - I can't remember which.

I agree it would still be in great condition (hopefully) but it doesn't mean I want someone else to use it for 9,000 miles first after I paid for it.

I suppose none of us will really know the whole background story of this agreement but there's something I've omitted from the story, Othmar Tobisch was the Pastor of the church Betty and her first husband attended in Berkeley; Rev. Othmar Tobisch.

Whether that is an issue would be pure conjecture but seems to be an agreement from the outset as Othmar's name is mentioned on the original order form in August 1957.

On their final Postcard home reporting on the shipping arrangements he says "We delivered the Ghia to the shipping agent yesterday. Insured for $2200. It will board MS. Travestein, Hamburg 8th Sept arrive S.F. 17th Oct. Was washed lubed etc. at Zurich. Sorry to say at 9000 miles. However runs like new. Gas mileage consistently 35 miles/gal."

It sounds like 9000 miles had evoked some guilt in him...likely a lot more than originally expected. :?

Sun Oct 13, 2024 12:45 pm

Fantastic early documentation, love it 8)

Wed Oct 16, 2024 7:50 am

This is the receipt for collecting the Ghia from the dealership, "Hahn Motorfahhrzeuge Gmbh Stuttgart"

Fri Oct 18, 2024 10:37 am

Middlebridge Street, Romsey, Hampshire.

Sat Nov 16, 2024 8:12 am

Recently, after nearly 15 years running my Shorrock I find the throttle return spring on the Stromberg carb has lost it's snapback ability to close to the ideal idle setting. Time has called for a little more help in the name of a new bracket and spring...

Tue Nov 19, 2024 8:41 am

Betty used to insure her "Baby" with State Farm. She had a bumper decal saying so...

The '58 payment...

Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:40 am

I insure everything including the Ghia's through State Farm.
Now if I could just negotiate Betty's rates with my agent!

Tue Nov 19, 2024 12:30 pm

kingkarmann wrote: I insure everything including the Ghia's through State Farm.
Now if I could just negotiate Betty's rates with my agent!

They did get a nice 25% deduction as they had a second car, a 1950 Ford. :)

Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:40 am

A birthday drive last week to celebrate a birthday...my birthday, not the car's. :D

Thu Nov 28, 2024 11:37 pm

Happy birthday, John. Makes me wanna play guitar at you. Maybe a Beatles track!
Nicholas

Fri Nov 29, 2024 2:45 am

sputnick60 wrote: Happy birthday, John. Makes me wanna play guitar at you. Maybe a Beatles track!
Nicholas

What AGAIN! :lol:

Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:10 am

An old friend, now living in Auckland has just sent me a picture of his long gone Karmann Ghia. It's possibly the first Karmann Ghia I ever saw...around 1978. It was certainly the first I remember seeing.

He sent me this picture; the only one he could find at the moment. Back in the day when Ghias were still available from dealerships they were still a rarity in the UK.

I think it was probably a '71 still the blade Euro bumpers and that very striking Gold and Black paint...no wonder I remembered it. The roof rack was for a Surfboard.

Tue Dec 31, 2024 5:50 am

John Moxon wrote: An old friend, now living in Auckland has just sent me a picture of his long gone Karmann Ghia. It's possibly the first Karmann Ghia I ever saw...around 1978. It was certainly the first I remember seeing.

He sent me this picture; the only one he could find at the moment. Back in the day when Ghias were still available from dealerships they were still a rarity in the UK.

I think it was probably a '71 still the blade Euro bumpers and that very striking Gold and Black paint...no wonder I remembered it. The roof rack was for a Surfboard.

Nice color. One thing I've noticed with Bugs and Karmann Ghia's is that owners back in the day had these really small cars as primary transportation and managed to figure out how to bring along things like ski's, luggage, surfboards etc. They made these small cars fit their day to day transportation needs. Today, in the US at least, almost everybody has such huge SUV's. Most people I know are quick to defend their choice for a large vehicle because they "need" to haul lots of large stuff. I feel it's mostly just a part of our modern times.

By the way, I do see the front bumper blade in the photo which would indicate 71 or earlier, however, the open door shows a black cap at the top such as was found on 72 - 74 cars?? Might European cars have had a difference from US cars in that area? Or perhaps a modification/restoration?