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Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:21 pm

The ad says:

1970 Volkswagen Karmenn Ghia

$3500.00

A fun car to finish restoration. We've ran out of time,

rebuilt 1.9 litter engine and

rebuilt Freeway flyer transmission; 4th gear is geared higher.

New Weber Carb 44 IDF

New Clutch, New muffler, Rebuilt starter

New windshield.

Body fairly staight some rust.

Is the price okay? How does it look? How much would it cost to finish the restoration on this if I were paying someone else to do the body work and paint? I'm probably going to get a completely restored Ghia and pay a lot more, but I just thought I'd see what your opinions are. Also, I am not sure if I have posted this in the right section or if I should have posted this in the Today in Ghia Hunting section. Please let me know. Thank you.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:39 pm

new to VWs but an old car guy nontheless. l'd say lt's well worth a look and a drlve. search here for tlps on what hldden rust or problems to beware of. at least wlth thls one you will know just how the body ls. fresh paint can hlde alot of slns.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:56 pm

look inside the nose, see if it has ever been hit. move the spare tire. looks like u will need new rockers, lower rear 1/4, and probably new heater channels. take a good look at all the lower areas

Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:24 am

From what you say in the other thread you have running I would give it a definite thumbs down...probably a bondo nightmare. That car will be a money pit if you are not doing the work yourself.

As was said in the other topic you should be looking to spend a fair bit more on a good runner in as near stock configuration as you can find.

Don't ever think you can buy cheaply, have the restoration works carried out by a professional shop and still come out ahead...I doesn't happen like that. The Samba classifieds are stacked with adverts that say, "I have over $12000 in this car will accept offers around $9000"...in the end they'll probably take $7k. That's where the deals are to be found.

Be patient, the right car will appear.

On posting in the right spot...I would advise tacking other posts onto your first topic until you buy your car...then you can start a new one on your Ghia ownership. :)

Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:02 am

$3500 seems to high for the condition if you have the cash wait it out for a better car you may have to travel out of your location to get the right one, I live in Germany and while on vacation in Florida I lucked out and bought a complete Ghia for $2500 with very little rust.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:07 am

Volksusername wrote: The ad says:

A fun car to finish restoration. We've ran out of time,

Body fairly staight some rust.

"Some rust"...my ass! That is MAJOR rust. And as John said, probably a lot more hiding under the paint. Rocker panels rust from the inside out.

"...finish restoration". I would never use the term restoration to describe what's been done to that car. That's a hack-job, at best.

If you got this car for free and had the skills to do all the body, paint, interior and mechanical work yourself, it MIGHT be worth doing. If paying someone to do all that stuff, you'll put $10K into that thing and still not be finished.

Find a car that is already done to your liking, unless you really want a project to work on. And if that's the case, find a better car to start with.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:42 am

With these cars it's all in the body.All the mechanical stuff is easy to contend with.I got one shipped to Canada from California for what they're asking,totally solid body,needed engine repair.By doing it that way I saved a fortune on body work compared to anything I'd find where I live.Save yourself grief,find a better one.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:18 am

berliner wrote: With these cars it's all in the body.All the mechanical stuff is easy to contend with.I got one shipped to Canada from California for what they're asking,totally solid body,needed engine repair.By doing it that way I saved a fortune on body work compared to anything I'd find where I live.Save yourself grief,find a better one.
Agreed. Buy the best body you can afford. The running gear is shared with a like year Beetle and readily obtainable.

To the OP: two years ago, I sold my extremely solid 1969 ghia coupe to a friend for less than the car you're looking at. It was a complete, running, registered car with a 1600 DP. It was a "bro" deal, but you get the point.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:24 am

I get a good feeling from the 71 green Ghia posted in the classifieds here on the samba, it's from Sacramento. I noticed you were looking for a later model. Good luck!

Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:37 am

calexican wrote: I get a good feeling from the 71 green Ghia posted in the classifieds here on the samba, it's from Sacramento. I noticed you were looking for a later model. Good luck!

Agreed John: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1276063

Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:15 am

Definately keep looking around. I bought a car for parts last year and I'll bet the body is better that this one you're looking at. It's so good I decided to make it a runner, replace a few missing things, and put it back on the road. It's not real pretty, but a sold body none the less. I'd probably be happy to get $1500 for it!

Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:19 am

I made that mistake. I paid $2500 for mine and am additional $5500 into it now and my car was in better shape than the one you are looking at - not so much rust. Keep looking - offer $1000 and walk away if it is rejected. The motor is worth $1000 anyway. You may want a parts car if you find another 1970 "Fat Chick".

Here is my 1970:

Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:09 pm

Stonesrock- Very nice KG. Love to see that you're driving it in the snow! So apparently it can be done!

The green 71 looks to be a good car, but I don't like the color. I think I really prefer the pearl, tans, or the white colors or sometimes a really different color like pink or purple. I have family in Southern California who could help me out, but not up in Sacramento. My bro-in-law paints VWs on the side so he might know what to look for as far as rust goes. Although, I did notice there's a nice guide on here to show you where to look for rust.

John Moxon- Thanks for the direction on proper posting and letting me know what kind of money goes into these cars. I guess I will just have to be patient and wait for the right one.

Thank you everyone, your posts have enlightened me. It seems like KGs where I live are priced quite high, so I am going to focus on finding one in Southern California. It seems like that is where most of the deals are anyway. My best friend is in the market for a classic bug. I'm going to point her to The Samba.

Thanks again :)

Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:56 pm

Volksusername wrote: The ad says:

A fun car to finish restoration. We've ran out of time,

Body fairly staight some rust.

That car is a bondo nightmare. Where did the torsion bar access cap go? Why is the jack point higher than the bottom of the rocker. Rust is why. It looks like a $4-$500 shell.

A rebuilt engine that doesn't come with any sort of documentation or receipts might as well be cosidered an unknown engine. Worth maybe $700 tops if it runs nicely. It might last 10 years or 10 minutes.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:56 pm

"a fun car to finish the restoration " implies that "some restoration " has been done . dont see anything restored ! look closely at drivers side door, it has been over opened. you can tell by the dent by fender gap.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:34 pm

70 140- I did not know that about a rebuilt engine, of course it seems obvious, but I wouldn't have thought about it. Good thing to know and remember while I'm looking.

ovghiaguy-You are so right about the drivers' side door. I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out. I hope I can start to get an eye for this stuff.

I posted another car to look at on the bottom of my other thread. Thanks again.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=502816

Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:47 pm

Volksusername wrote: 70 140- I did not know that about a rebuilt engine, of course it seems obvious, but I wouldn't have thought about it. Good thing to know and remember while I'm looking.

Rebuilt is a term a lots of people define differently. In some cases the engine was degreased, the tin was painted and some tune-up parts installed.

In other cases engines come apart, internal moving components get machined. Lots of work is involved, costs are anywhere from $1500 and up.

Not all engines need to be gutted and totally rebuilt. Just make sure you know what you are buying, and what the previous owner has done. Like I typed before, no documentation or receipt, makes it an unknown engine.

Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:27 am

OK I think that $3500 Ghia is dead in the water so I'll lock this topic. The search continues in "Volksusername's" original topic: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=502816