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Thu Apr 23, 2020 1:41 pm

I've been lurking on this forum for years. With all the casinos and such closed due to the Covid-19. I have extra time and money for this never ending project. I will post some more pics and info in the future on some things I've done to the Ghia. Not a big fan of the fat chick ghia's or the yellow color. However could not pass it up for the price. $2600. Yes it runs and drives. Unlike others on this forum who paid ten times as much and got screwed. It is very sad indeed the prices people want for these cars.

Thu Apr 23, 2020 2:32 pm

I like the yellow----- and the fatness is not a problem. :D

Thu Apr 23, 2020 4:13 pm

Thanks for your kind words. My issue with the yellow color is it reminds me of the last place I worked at. Every thing was painted yellow. As far as the fat part, I really like the 1969 and earlier towel bar bumpers and small taillights. The car has an old 1990's so called restoration according to the PO. It is in pretty good shape except the front clip area. Which I'll show pic's in the future. I get a lot of thumbs up and what kind of car is that? When I take it on the road or at the gas station.

Thu Apr 23, 2020 4:30 pm

It's cool !
From here it looks like a deal 8)
The Porsche-style wheels look great on a '72 as does the yellow.
Tint makes sense for a Vegas ride :!:

Fri Apr 24, 2020 7:02 am

For that kind of money (and from an european's perspective), it was a steal. Lookin good!

If you ever decide to "restore" it (and maybe change the color), and have some $$$ to spare and don't care TOO much about the resale/originality, maybe consider back-dating the look?

I did that to my 72 fat chick, with old bumpers, front signals, and rear lights :wink: If you want, check out the 2nd page on my story (see link below), there you can see some of the conversion work 8)

Best regards!

Fri Apr 24, 2020 7:39 am

That's a sharp looking car. And a steal for that price even in the US.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:35 am

Congratulations on your Karmann Ghia find - IMO even if it didn't run, youd've gotten a great deal at that price!
I see you're in Las Vegas - did you by any chance learn your negotiating skills from the owner of the Pawn Stars shop? :wink:

If you do end up going through all the effort of a full color change, may I suggest a color from the 1965 through 1967 Karmann Ghia model years - L 544 Roulette Green.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:55 am

dc wrote: It's cool !
From here it looks like a deal 8)
The Porsche-style wheels look great on a '72 as does the yellow.
Tint makes sense for a Vegas ride :!:

Thanks. it does look cool with the yellow and dark tint. It soon will be over 100 degrees here in LV.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:00 pm

Vladiiiii wrote: For that kind of money (and from an european's perspective), it was a steal. Lookin good!

If you ever decide to "restore" it (and maybe change the color), and have some $$$ to spare and don't care TOO much about the resale/originality, maybe consider back-dating the look?

I did that to my 72 fat chick, with old bumpers, front signals, and rear lights :wink: If you want, check out the 2nd page on my story (see link below), there you can see some of the conversion work 8)

Best regards!

Thanks Vlad. I checked your thread. Quite an undertaking on your 72. My condolences on your loss. Looking forward to seeing it back from the body shop.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:06 pm

Braukuche wrote: That's a sharp looking car. And a steal for that price even in the US.
Thanks. I found it on Craigs list. I was'nt looking at the time to by a Ghia. I knew the value of VW's and thought it was a steal. I could of easily flipped the car for twice as much.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:19 pm

KGCoupe wrote: Congratulations on your Karmann Ghia find - IMO even if it didn't run, youd've gotten a great deal at that price!
I see you're in Las Vegas - did you by any chance learn your negotiating skills from the owner of the Pawn Stars shop? :wink:

If you do end up going through all the effort of a full color change, may I suggest a color from the 1965 through 1967 Karmann Ghia model years - L 544 Roulette Green.
Thanks. Interesting color. Roulette green in LV with real roulette tables in the casinos. I guess yellow is better than primer gray. I was thinking of 3 options with the paint color. 1. Plasti dip (removable) 2. Vinyl wrap. Which I did some trials on. (removable) 3. Single stage paint. (not removable easily). The color change would be a long way down the road. PS have you seen the show Counting Cars? It's here in LV. Since you mention about Pawn Stars.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 1:16 pm

Why was the price such a steal? For one thing the transmission would not shift into reverse or stay in reverse. No big deal the car still drove. I did the normal adjustments, shifter , coupling, clutch. No good. Replaced old Empi trigger shifter. Had I know better I would of sold it on the over priced parts classifieds. Replaced the shifter with CSP. Replaced shift rod coupling with heavy duty one. No good. Fine, time to pull the engine and transmission. I did it by myself in about an hour. Here are some Pic's. Enjoy.

Fri Apr 24, 2020 4:37 pm

Fatchicks are Superbeetles...

bnc

Sat Apr 25, 2020 8:50 am

didget69 wrote: Fatchicks are Superbeetles...

bnc
Yes, A Super Beetle is a Fat Chick. My definition is any VW with Fat box looking bumpers, large taillights and front turn signals. This is the Samba definition:

Fat Chick, Slang term for most air-cooled VW's that use 4 bolt wheels, such as 68 and newer Standard Beetles, Super Beetles, Bay Window Buses, 1970 and later Ghias, and later Type 3's etc..

Sat Apr 25, 2020 8:57 am

didget69 wrote: Fatchicks are Superbeetles...

bnc
The term "Fat Chick" is r@cist. :evil:

Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:41 am

iowegian wrote: didget69 wrote: Fatchicks are Superbeetles...

bnc
The term "Fat Chick" is r@cist. :evil: Ha, Ha, everything is ra@cist in this day and age. If you don't like something or it does'nt fit your narrative etc... The word no longer has any meaning, it is used so often.

Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:04 am

I ordered a new Pro Comp close ratio transmission from Rancho. If I knew it was going to take 3 months to get it. I would found another shop. While waiting for the transmission;
1. Cleaned 40 some odd years of dirt, oil, grease from the under carriage. No rust. Looks like yellow was the OG color. Pan looked good. Small patch in battery area.
2. Painted frame horn. Replaced transmission mounts.Replaced body to transmission seal.
3. Inspected and repacked CV joints. They looked good no wear or galling.
4. Replaced Clutch with Kennedy 1700. New German throw-out bearing.
The transmission finally came in; Some pics for you to enjoy.

Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:55 am

Even with the costs of the trans....it's still a steal!
I like the color, it's an actual color unlike all the various tinted versions of grey out there with modern cars.

Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:28 am

iowegian wrote: didget69 wrote: Fatchicks are Superbeetles...

bnc
The term "Fat Chick" is r@cist. :evil:

As the owner of a '73, I don't care for the term either. I look at it as a classic VW that hasn't been made in 47 years, nor will one ever be made again.

Yes, there are snobs that will look down their nose at the bumpers and large lights.

Just consider the source.

It is disappointing that the later models tend to get overlooked. The bright side is that it makes them more affordable for those of us who know what we have!

Your car looks GREAT! It's the exact color of one that an old female friend of mine received brand new for High School graduation back in the day...

David

Sun Apr 26, 2020 7:14 am

LVGhia72 wrote: iowegian wrote: didget69 wrote: Fatchicks are Superbeetles...

bnc
The term "Fat Chick" is r@cist. :evil: Ha, Ha, everything is ra@cist in this day and age. If you don't like something or it does'nt fit your narrative etc... The word no longer has any meaning, it is used so often.

Bingo.

Nice project -

bnc