TheSamba.com :: View topic - Karmann Ghia – Essential Guides for Beginners & Experts.

Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:33 am

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Learning how to search The Samba Forums effectively will pay you back 10 fold in time saved. Most of the questions you have, have very probably already been asked and answered.
Learning to search the forum topics is still the best way to learn about your Ghia.

Know Your Karmann Ghia.
Ghia FAQs
The 1953 Ghia prototype
The Idiot's Guide to Original Karmann Ghia Interiors
Karmann Ghia Progressive changes 1955–1974
Ghia Blue Print
Decision tree for identifying Ghia year
'55-59 Karmann Ghias -The Differences
Karmann Ghia Door Differences - 1955-1974
Door Latch Differences - 1955-1974
Identifing Karmann Ghia Type 14 Interior Mirrors
The Correct Air Cleaner for your Karmann Ghia
Hub Cap Help
Headlight-chrome-rings different Euro to sealed beam Type 14
Ordering Your Karmann Ghia's "Birth Certificate"
Reproduction vs Original Lowlight Parts- 1955-1959
Front turn signal lens 10/58 up to 10/63
Repro Side Trim - A study
Repro Stainless Steel Ghia Bumpers *
Ghia bumper differences by year
Factory RHD Model?
Special edition ghia's
Pigalle interior
Antenna Placement
Stamped numbers for Inquiring minds
Guide to Ghia Hoods Or Bonnets
Ghia Information on the Internet
List of all 1974 KGs still on the road (1974 Ghia Registry)

*It seems over the course of this topic the quality and fit of these replacement bumpers has improved.
More weight should be given to recent opinions of those who have actually fitted them to their cars.

Ghia Information in The Samba Archive
Sambanistas Karmann Ghia Location Map
& Location Map Topic
VIN Numbers
M-Codes
Paint and Upholstery combinations
Karmann Ghia floor pan and chassis measured drawing (Metric)
Wiring Diagrams NOTE: Your 1969 may be wired like the 1970 diagram!
Production Figures
Brochures/Literature
Manuals

More useful Information on VW Parts ID
The VW Part Numbering System
ANATOMY OF A VW PART NUMBER
Part Number System

Mon Sep 27, 2010 12:36 pm

very nice and organized. thx

Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:04 am

So I have taken the car to the shop for new pans and paint.. It being a 71 convertible, many of the original rubber components when I removed them were dry rotted and torn. So I bought new rubber for the car and there are no instructions on how to install the new rubber when I got them. Any advice besides drink a lot of cold ones? Is there a source book, video, or photos with instructions out there to help out?

Thanks

Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:10 am

DanapointRock wrote: So I have taken the car to the shop for new pans and paint.. It being a 71 convertible, many of the original rubber components when I removed them were dry rotted and torn. So I bought new rubber for the car and there are no instructions on how to install the new rubber when I got them. Any advice besides drink a lot of cold ones? Is there a source book, video, or photos with instructions out there to help out?

Thanks

Well you're in the right general area, i.e. The Stickies...but you need the "How To" stickies: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=433752

Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:57 am

When I replaced the gaskets on my 1971 Ghia coupe, the instructions said to 'thread' the gaskets in the channels to install each. Atleast around the top window edges of the body, I found it much simpler to use a very dull knife(butter) edge to compress the gasket to insert without having to unsuccessfully 'thread' the gasket completely around into the gasket slot for a good seat.

Tue Mar 19, 2013 7:09 am

Hello, I'am restoring a 66 ghia.
There was a topic where you can see the different types pop-outs.
But I can't find anymore.

Tue Mar 19, 2013 7:15 am

weckhuysen bert wrote: Hello, I'am restoring a 66 ghia.
There was a topic where you can see the different types pop-outs.
But I can't find anymore.

You'll find it in the "How To" Sticky: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=433752

Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:04 am

John Moxon wrote: weckhuysen bert wrote: Hello, I'am restoring a 66 ghia.
There was a topic where you can see the different types pop-outs.
But I can't find anymore.

You'll find it in the "How To" Sticky: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=433752

I know that topic, but still can't find anymore ???

Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:04 pm

Does the VIN chart needs updating?

My low light's VIN is 1 788 491 and the VW AutoMuseum certificate shows a build date of January 16, 1958, leaving the factory on January 31st.

For 1958 the VIN chart here on the site shows:

July - 1 774 680
Aug - 1 774 681

my car is:
Jan - 1 788 491

... which is a VIN higher than those listed but has an earlier build date.

So this begs a few questions:

1. Are VINs sequential?
2. Can VW AutoMuseum be considered the official source of authority?
3. Do the other low lights above have certificates? Or, what's thier source of authority?

Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:15 pm

noslzzp wrote: Does the VIN chart needs updating?

My low light's VIN is 1 788 491 and the VW AutoMuseum certificate shows a build date of January 16, 1958, leaving the factory on January 31st.

For 1958 the VIN chart here on the site shows:

July - 1 774 680
Aug - 1 774 681

my car is:
Jan - 1 788 491

... which is a VIN higher than those listed but has an earlier build date.

So this begs a few questions:

1. Are VINs sequential?
2. Can VW AutoMuseum be considered the official source of authority?
3. Do the other low lights above have certificates? Or, what's thier source of authority?

Your Birth Certificate is correct...the charts in the Archive need to be revised. You can check how your Ghia fits in with other cars here: http://www.kglowlightregistry.com/

Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:40 pm

John Moxon wrote: noslzzp wrote: Does the VIN chart needs updating?

My low light's VIN is 1 788 491 and the VW AutoMuseum certificate shows a build date of January 16, 1958, leaving the factory on January 31st.

For 1958 the VIN chart here on the site shows:

July - 1 774 680
Aug - 1 774 681

my car is:
Jan - 1 788 491

... which is a VIN higher than those listed but has an earlier build date.

So this begs a few questions:

1. Are VINs sequential?
2. Can VW AutoMuseum be considered the official source of authority?
3. Do the other low lights above have certificates? Or, what's thier source of authority?

Your Birth Certificate is correct...the charts in the Archive need to be revised. You can check how your Ghia fits in with other cars here: http://www.kglowlightregistry.com/

Any new data is welcome.

The Ghia listing is sort of wacky as I have not seen an "official" Ghia listing like the Bus/Bus/Type 3 ones.
When in doubt, refer to the Beetle VIN listing.
It appears correct for what you said above.

Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:32 pm

Generally, during the "Lowlight" period, Karmann got stamped chassis from Wolfsburg with numbers co-inciding Beetle production, but after shipping them to Osnabrueck, and Karmann production/QC, their numbers lagged behind finished Beetles by a month or sometimes more.

The data from the VW Stiftung Automuseum is usually quite correct as to dates. Once in a while, they have been known to make mistakes as to reporting factory options specified to cars, or have mistakenly called out the wrong car, but usually they do a fabulous job of exhuming the old production data (on microfiche of dubious condition, or on the earlier Beetles, from large leather-bound register books), and reporting back to owners.

Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:22 pm

63 ghia. I had a front wheel bearing go out. Ordered new bearings from Wolfsburg. They are roller tapered pin bearings. My old bearings are ball bearing. Inner and outer. Does this matter. Most. Mail order places supply tapered bearings. Does anyone know why there are two types ( ball and tapered pin bearings)? And can I change to roller tapered bearing on the same axil that had ball bearings. ???