TheSamba.com :: View topic - The K_R_A_K_E_N_N : a 70 Ghia Convertible reinterpreted

Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:51 pm

I would like to introduce the (probably) newest member of The Samba Ghia family, the yet unnamed triplet.

She was casually lounging in GA with one of her sisters…

When she was very rudely abducted…

Had a hood thrown over her head to prevent her from disclosing her location if she should manage to get out an S.O.S.

Was transported south on I-75…

And now quietly rests in a garage in North Fl... with out the hood.

More pictures and details to come.

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:16 pm

I wonder if the owner knows it's gone yet.

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:23 pm

congrats .....but holy UHAUL???

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:23 pm

SHHH! Be vewy, vewy quiet.

Working pictures. Hope to have them up tonight or tomorrow.

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:29 pm

hope you stuffed another one in the box van ...

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:31 pm

67Vw2387 wrote: congrats .....but holy UHAUL???

That's what happens when all you have is a Honda CR-V with a 1500 Lbs. towing max. I could have used a tow bar but after sitting in storage for 23 Yrs. (the Ghia not the CR-V) I didn't want to risk bearings seizing at 70 MPH. :oops:

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:38 pm

they didn't have a Uhual PU to tow it ?
man , thats rough ...i can't imagine taking my 16 ft boxie on ghia hunts

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:43 pm

67Vw2387 wrote: they didn't have a Uhual PU to tow it ?

I tried. They only rent pickups for local use. The cost would have been about the same however. It still cost me less than shipping it. I drove the chase car.

Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:57 pm

well u got it done , all that matters :)

Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:16 am

EDITORIAL NOTE:
I purchased this Ghia from fellow Samba member vw.dodge. I cannot say enough good things about him as person, and a seller on TheSamba. He was completely cooperative with all my requests for information and pictures, details when requested, and went the extra step of pointing out defects that I failed to enquire about. He is very knowledgeable about these cars. I would not have any hesitation purchasing parts from him in the future.

Thank you “vw.dodge”

Now on to the fun stuff...

As far as can be determined I am the fourth owner of the car. The car was built on 2-14-70 in Bahia Red with a black interior and black top. It was delivered to Washington State on 2-20-70. From there it is believed the car went to Colorado, then Alabama. The previous owner purchased it in 1992 and it has been in dry storage in GA ever since. I picked it up on 9-19-15. The car is now in Jacksonville, FL.

Edit: I forgot to mention it is numbers matching. Previous owner provided the birth certificate.

On initial inspection the car appears to have a very solid body. The car is straight, free of collision damage(?), and mostly free of body rust. The car has rust in the battery area and luggage compartment. The floors are in rough shape but may not be a total loss. I am told the floor and luggage rust occurred when the vehicle was left out and the top deteriorated. The sale included good metal cut-out parts to repair the luggage and back seat support area.

Most parts, with the exception of tail and front signal lenses, door windows, and rubber parts were included. Carpet and interior are MIA. A full tilt restoration will most likely not begin until Fall 2016 due to pending possible relocation to Central Florida but I will work on it as time permits. Here are some pictures. I have tried to highlight the problem areas in order to elicit feedback and guidance.

Front

Spare well and Bumper brackets

Trunk Area

Under Dash

Doors – inside (Both sides are in the same good shape)
Driver

Passenger (Better detail on these)

Inner Front Lower

Inner Rear Lower

Floor Front Driver

Floor Front Passenger

Floor behind driver seat

Floor behind passenger seat

Floor under back seat – Driver

Floor under back seat – Passenger

Rear body/pan mount – Driver

Rear body/pan mount – Passenger

Rear arm rest – Driver

Rear arm rest – Passenger

Cargo area
Upper – Passenger

Upper – Mid

Upper – Driver

Lower – Passenger

Lower - Mid

Lower - Driver

Engine bay
Rear Lid

Battery Tray

Driver wheel well

Driver quarter drop-off (DOH! - picture got rotated when uploaded)

Passenger wheel well

Passenger quarter

Passenger quarter drop-off

Driver quarter drop-off – underside

Passenger quarter drop-off – underside

Passenger outer quarter BOND-OH NO!

That’s it for now.
As far as I can tell the only Bondo is in the rear passenger quarter and the passenger door. Once I get my floor jack fixed I will get it up in the air and take wheel well and underside pics.

Feedback is welcome and appreciated. I am not a total novice but I am not totally well versed in KGs either.

Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:23 am

looks pretty good from here.

Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:23 pm

^^ ditto. I love all the pics!!
Nice score!

Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:41 pm

Excellent post introducing a new car. That is how it is done!

Thu Sep 24, 2015 1:31 pm

Nice presentation.
Really pretty good condition overall. You can see in the door pics where the drains are compromised with dirt/debris but caused very little damage. Looks like a good purchase.

Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:34 pm

Some more pictures and an update.

Dash (I have a sash patch for the over-sized radio opening)

Floor under Driver seat

Floor under Paeesnger seat

Passenger seat cross brace

Passenger seat rail

I was hoping there may be a way to save some of the original floor metal but I doubt it at this point. Could some of the experts provide feedback on whether the seat rails may be salvageable? It looks to me like there is too much degradation of the metal.

Thanks
Emil

Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:58 pm

car is in great shape , nice find !

Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:59 pm

car is in great shape , nice find !

Wed Oct 07, 2015 5:30 pm

It's official - the unnamed triplet is no longer nameless.
My daughter has decided that "The unnamed triplet" shall henceforth be known as "The Kraken."

It's a good thing I like the name because I am outnumbered by my wife and two kids in thees matters. I am thinking of having a custom deck-lid script made replacing KARMANN with KRAKENN. \:D/

On the restoration side of the house I am building a "Duckman" hinged style dolly and will hopefully have the body off by this weekend. Pictures to follow.

Thu Oct 08, 2015 3:19 am

Evil_Fiz wrote: I have a sash patch for the over-sized radio opening
What's a sash patch and where did you buy it?

Evil_Fiz wrote: Could some of the experts provide feedback on whether the seat rails may be salvageable? It looks to me like there is too much degradation of the metal.
Three of the side rails look ok, one is a bit crusty at the bottom but you should be able to patch it. The cross pieces look like they are gone but you should be able to get some replacements made up.

Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:52 am

Mellow Yellow 74 wrote: Evil_Fiz wrote: I have a sash patch for the over-sized radio opening
What's a sash patch and where did you buy it?
My bad, I got my prom dress confused with my Ghia :shock:
In Ghia terms a sash patch is more commonly refereed to as a typo. As far as where to buy one, every QWERTY keyboard includes them for free. Stay tuned, I am a prolific typo artist.

Mellow Yellow 74 wrote: Evil_Fiz wrote: Could some of the experts provide feedback on whether the seat rails may be salvageable? It looks to me like there is too much degradation of the metal.
Three of the side rails look ok, one is a bit crusty at the bottom but you should be able to patch it. The cross pieces look like they are gone but you should be able to get some replacements made up.
That is good news. When you say "replacements made up" are you referring to custom/manual fabrication or a makeshift replacement piece? Another thing that is giving me pause is how to 1) properly brace them for removal and 2) how to properly line them up and locate them on the new pan. Any and all advice is welcome.

Thanks,
Emil