TheSamba.com :: View topic - The fun begins..... 59 lowlight dream car! (just for whobba)

Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:02 am

Ok, so heres the story....

Several years ago I bought a fat chick with the idea of doing a bit of a kustom job on her- Hot rod VWs were quite new to the scene and I thought it might be fun. + she looked like a cheap easy resto. :roll:

Well, after some extensive work with the hot air gun and paint scraper I discovered her body was so full of bondo my driveway grew in height by 3 inches and the body was a lemon! I would post some photo's but it might upset the ghia heads amongst us- (Lesson No.1: don't buy from another continent having only seen photo's on the net)

The good news was the chassis was reasonable and it had IRS, so I set about restoring/ customizing it. I have got it rolling/ almost complete today for the first time-

She has, as you can probably see 4 wheel CSP discs in wide five, Chrome JGE raders, 2" narrowed beam, CB Dropped spindles & berg shifter is moved back about 3" for a better driving position.

Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:12 am

So the search began for a good body to bolt to the pan.....

I looked at quite a few from various different years but knew in my heart of hearts it had to be a lowlight-

I missed a good one here in the UK by a few hours about two years ago, it wasn't to be. Then, alas, 5 days before my wedding in May this year I found one on the samba(Thanks again Whobba).

She has now arrived in the UK and is patiently waiting to be fitted to the pan in the pics above.

(lesson 2; Do buy a ghia from another continent having only seen pictures on the net! :lol: :D :lol: )
I will keep you up to date with pictures as and when there is any progress made. Hope you all enjoy, and sorry to the purists amongst you. :oops:

one last pic before I sign off for today of some of the parts stash I have for her.

Massive thanks to Whobba for selling the 59 to me- She is a beauty and I hope you won't be disappointed when you see the finished? car. and thanks to the samba fo being great!!!!!

Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:38 am

SSUUUUUuwwweeeeeet! Can't wait to see the assembly of this baby. You should record as much as possible and put up a website.

Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:12 pm

The chasis is looking hot, hot, hot. 8)

I want to see the 2 together.......soon, this has been a long wait.

Mine only came in from California 2 weeks ago. :P

Keep the pics coming.

Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:50 pm

I am so glad you bought the '59 from me, Seth! The pan looks outstanding. I am truly excited that you're bringing her back ~! :-)

Here's some pics of the Ghia leaving California:

Up on the car hauler

Last goodbye..

All the way to the UK... God Save the Queen!

Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:13 pm

looking forward to seeing it on the road, seth. know its going to be cool

Sun Sep 16, 2007 3:23 am

Cheers guys 8)

Whobba, those photo's are really cool- I love the one up on the hauler!

Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:03 pm

Looks great so far. Keep up with the good work.

Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:34 pm

It's no stomper, but I couldn't resist posting a picture of the engine- I rebuilt it before the first car arrived and it has been waiting patiently in my father in laws garage ever since-

Its a 1600cc TP and will have twin carbs of some variety before it runs- still needs a few bits and pieces doing as you may notice, but the bulk of it is done. fingers crossed it will still be ok after its brief sabatical.

Sat Sep 22, 2007 3:22 pm

nice project,you beat me,my 58 has been waiting patiently to be done for 15 years now!
Look forward to seeing the progress with yours

Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:31 am

restoman wrote: nice project,you beat me,my 58 has been waiting patiently to be done for 15 years now!
Look forward to seeing the progress with yours

Cheers, Where abouts in West Wales are you? I remember seeing a lowlight for sale over that way a while ago?

Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:23 am

When are you going to do the same for my engine? :D

Looks sweet mate, I can't wait to help you fit this up.....

Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:55 am

Looking good Seth...another one saved :D Looking forward to the continuing story.

...are you sure you need all those '59 bits and pieces :lol:

Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:41 pm

Faux, As soon as you can keep your van off the road long enough! Maybe this winter? :wink:

John, Let me know what you need- I would be happy to use repro parts if it means a car as beautiful as yours with such an amazing history file gets restored properly! :D
You're not having my dash parts thou!!!!!! :wink:

Thanks Guy's :)

Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:05 pm

how much was the shipping cost from cali to uk? :?:

Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:17 am

Paul_Revere's Ghia wrote:
John, Let me know what you need- I would be happy to use repro parts if it means a car as beautiful as yours with such an amazing history file gets restored properly! :D
You're not having my dash parts thou!!!!!! :wink:

I wouldn't dream of raiding your stash Seth. :) The Ghia is nice but it's not going to be a top show car. I just don't have the mindset to be a concours guy.

Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:18 am

There has been a small amount of ghia action this weekend- Spent most of yesterday on the road completing the 500mile round trip to the workshop where they are doing my bodywork for me.

The plan was to drop the newly restored pan off and bring back a few panels to sell on. Whilst I was there we decided it might be as well to lift the body off the original pan.

Now you can see one of the reasons I thought this car would be ideal for a pan swap. I'm waiting for the old "That will polish out" gags!

And here is a shot of the body- The ride height I am going for will be a little higher than this!!

Having seen the body and new pan so close together I cannot wait to see them bolted together in a few weeks time. Some of the rust issues will be sorted by then too.

Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:11 am

will it go back to cardinal red?

Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:05 pm

DaveM wrote: will it go back to cardinal red?

I'm not 100% sure yet? I have never ever wanted a red car, but I am a sucker for OG paint colours especially when you see how good the paint is under all the grime!

Chances are that when it eventually gets a repaint it will be in Cardinal red, for the time being I am going to polish it to within an inch of its life 8)

Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:59 pm

Now I have the not so pretty floor pan in my garage!

My new welder wants to practice on it though. :D

Looking good mate, I can't wait to see the shell on that bit of VW porn you call a chassis.