1965 Manilla Yellow Coupe Project

[Braukuche]

Make sure your painter gets the bodywork right, otherwise you’ll regret it. The more he blocks it the better even if it is a PITA and expensive.
I wouldn’t sweat the pin holes in the pan. A lot of American car guys POR their thin floors and it seems to work fine, especially if you use quality soundproofing on the pans, like Luis sells, it will firm them up. Undercoating helps too.
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Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[Peter D.]

Thanks for the advice... yes, I'm going to the shop in a couple of days to check it out before it gets painted. He's already told me he plans on block sanding twice.
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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[Peter D.]

It's been a while since I've updated because there is little to report other than I finished the mechanical end of restoring the chassis. So that's done!

The shop is waaayyy backed up but I'm hoping to have it painted by the end of December. Or real soon.

https://youtu.be/CDrTD8MWoDM?si=1ldYfiYYyBdldrYc

My motor has been sitting for a while and ethanol gas did a number on my carb. It didn't run right and leaked. So I had to take that apart, clean, and reassemble with all new gaskets. You'll know it's bad when you see chalky white deposits all over.

I actually took it for a ride down the road! Lucky for me a live in an area where the cops seldom show up. I also discovered a phenomenon in physics called "inertia." The chassis turned left and my body kept going straight. Or rather I went flying over the funnel and barely kept control! But all is well, chassis and my body are intact.

Anyway, my problem now is I'm having doubts about Manila Yellow. I've seen a few online that look terrible and a few that look awesome so I don't know. Maybe it's the light and color saturation in these different pics. Maybe it's an old Ghia with faded paint. Or it could be the differences in how some shops mix the paint. I don't know.


I'm tied to my black and houndstooth interior so if I do change my mind, the color needs to complement the interior. I don't want to do red. Did anyone know that a gallon of VW Cherry Red is currently $1800? I've also been leaning towards anthracite and trout blue.

Any suggestions or should I just roll with yellow? It is the original color. If I don't use it I'm going to save it for a convertible beetle I'm working on.
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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[Teeroy]

If you already have the paint, have the shop do a spray out card with it and see if you like it or not
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Pres. Rivercity VW Club www.rcvwclub.org
Founder Derr Wheat Panzers (DWP)
ARR #3
www.autosportsnorthwest.org

[Rome]

Manila Yellow is a "cheerful" color which should look good on our Ghias. Since the actual paint is so expensive, once you/the shop orders and receives it you are mostly committed. How about getting a spray can mixed with the color code, then spraying out a test card yourself? A good auto body shop supply store should be able to do that for you. 3 years ago I had Levine Auto Parts in Danbury, Connecticut make such a can for me so I can paint some new replacement Ghia door hinges in my Cabrio's original color L87 Pearl White. The can is the brand U-Pol. Cost about $35. The car parts store could also make a can of Anthracite for you.

I personally think Anthracite is such an elegant color. The '64 Coupe which TheGhiaGirl sold a few years ago to Steve T (friend of Bill Silvestri) has a Pearl White roof- another factory color option- and it is my absolute all-time fave color combo. This is her photo-

You could adjust the color combo to your liking with the Anthracite, either with an Anthr roof, or a black roof. Though I don't think the black roof was a factory option, but it would maintain that portion of your Ghia's original factory color combination.

[crocteau]

[Braukuche]

What brand of paint are you buying? Glasurit?
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[csc23]

Certainly understandable to be hesitant on any color…

Here’s my 2 cents, I have a 66 coupe that was originally Cherry red. Someone along the way painted it a coral color. At some point it will be repainted.

I struggle with going with another color other than what it was delivered in. After seeing so many terrible Ghias painted in red may have ruined that color for me.

But if I did choose another factory color, I’ve always been fond of SeaSand. It would be on the lighter side of the Ghia factory color spectrum (similar to Manila) period appropriate and happens to look great with black interiors.

Google some images of seasand bugs, many have black interiors and look pretty darn sharp.

Another thing to keep in mind is that all factory colors will probably look fantastic if the car is done well.

[Peter D.]

Thank you for the suggestions! I will take a closer look at all those colors.

I do love red but it seems like every other Ghia gets a red paint job. So I think I'm going to pass on that. My painter also suggested looking at Ford or Mazda reds which would be very close and much less expensive.

I actually spent the day at the shop helping with some mechanical work on a '67 Beetle (exchanging some sweat equity to work off the 40 plus hours left to sand and paint my Ghia) and he did a spray out of the yellow on my fender.

Then we put down some spray can black to get an idea of the contrast.

Of course I was looking at it indoors under florescent lights so maybe not the ideal way to see it.

Right now I'm actually leaning towards Arcona White which is a color for 65 or Anthracite with a white roof. I think a black interior with houndstooth will go well with either of those colors.

I do already own the gallon of manila yellow (forget what brand) but I can always use it on my 66 Beetle convertible. So not a complete waste.
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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[bnam]

I too have a Manila yellow 65 coupe that I am about to start the bodywork restoration on. I’m having similar thoughts on the paint. I’m torn between keeping it original or going with another factory combo.
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1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[obus]

I'm not usually a fan of red on any car but my Ghia came in Paprika Red and thats what it just got repainted in and truthfully i love the way it turned out. I bought it from a widow whose husband was working on it and got sick. Been sharing photos with her during the progress and she loves it. When its done she will get to go for a ride in it. I like to think im a caretaker of the car and hopefully the next person will do the same.
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July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
March 1956 Beetle convertible L41 Black

[Peter D.]

Okay, well now I'm leaning towards Ruby Red with a black roof. After thinking about Manila for a while, I don't think it will look great with a black roof. I just don't think this particular shade of yellow is saturated enough to contrast with a black roof.

The body has been sitting under a car cover for almost a year and the painter is ready to go within a couple of weeks, but I looked underneath and there's still old paint and surface rust in the wheel wells and under the package area in back. He explained that most of his customers aren't as picky and insane as me and he normally just treats with ospho and sprays undercoating.

The blaster in our area is all backed up and the dustless blaster guy wanted $1500. So to make a long story short, I went over to his shop and he let me use his portable blaster (holds a 50pound bag) to blast the under-body.

I spent the last two days in 40 degree weather, crawling on the ground in a tyvek jump suit blasting my brains out. The air going into the machine was damp so I clogged every five minutes. Did I mention that blasting on your back in the winter really sucks? Despite my PPE, I have dust in my eyes and ears. Anyway, my under-body is blasted and looking great. Miraculously, only surface rust, undercoating, and paint. No rot or holes. Going to probably spray with SEM chip guard and then paint.

No pictures because it's impossible to document and get the work done at the same time. But I saved $1500!
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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[Peter D.]

I haven't posted an update in a while but after meeting Trylon and MarcDeb at the Terryville show I thought I would share my progress on my project.

Here it is in primer after the body work was completed by Dennis Manning of Vintage VW.

So, Manilla Yellow is definitely out. I just couldn't fall in love with it so I decided to go with Ruby Red and a black roof. The trunk, engine compartment, interior and underbody were all jammed out.

I had to trailer my chassis about an hour from home on the interstate so my gasket is all taped down along with the carpet padding on the tunnel. I wanted to rear seat bar to go across and over just like it was from the factory.

Body and frame about to be re-united at last! The engine compartment wiring is already in place along with the tarboard.

I've had it home for about three months and have been picking at it here and there. Wiring wasn't as hard as I feared but space is very limited behind the dash. Getting the vent control mounted... absolute nightmare! The dash is mostly assembled with a rebuilt speedo from AirHead and a tach I put together. I'm still waiting on a rebuilt gas gauge from Orange Empire speedo. I got the glove box mounted with felt lining I bought on Amazon. The hood and decklid gaskets are glued on. I have four original smoothies and new white walls. I insulated the interior with a constrained layer from Second Skin. Instead of factory padding in back I put in their "luxury liner pro" product which is foam with a rubber layer glued on top.

The steering wheel is a really nice repro from AirHead. It came with a half moon horn lefer but I decided to use the original lever I had chrome plated.

The hood gasket came from CIP1 and is supposedly made in Germany. It fit very well and has cutouts for the drains in the corners.

I added a USB port in the glove box for my radio.

I used some high temperature adhesive for the rear gasket. It looks like yellow snot and is equally as messy. The corners of the gasket are screwed in with washers so they don't pop out.

I still need to bleed the brakes, get the doors on, assemble the door glass and hardware, figure out a custom mount for the battery under the back set, get the gas tank mounted, hood and declid bolted on, and then it's going back to the shop for paint. So stay tuned for all of that!

My son was in elementary school when I started this Ghia project and it is now the summer before his Senior Year in High School. I'm hoping to have this done before he hits middle age.
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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[DaveB9]

You're going to have to change the title of your thread! It looks amazing. As you say, there are plenty of dodgy red Ghias out there, but there are some stunners as well.

What was the thinking with painting the inside areas first and the outside after building it up? It is certainly unusual, but I can see one major advantage: you aren't going to damage your paint leaning in under the hood fitting everything up. I have been SO careful, even buying soft trousers (pants) with no buttons, zips or rivets, but I have still managed to create a scratch which will have to be polished out.

[bnam]

Looks great! I too have a 65 Manila Yellow coupe that I’m restoring and had been thinking about what color to go with.

More urgently though - my pans were all shot when I got the car with no traction the old seat rails. Could you take a measurement of the front edge of the inner rail from the Napoleon hat and the gap between the inner rail and the tunnel? Need these measurements rather urgently. Thanks!

Byas
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1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[Peter D.]

[Peter D.]

[Marcdeb]

Your car is looking great. A lot of tedious work but it will be worth it. Red coupes with a black roof is a very classic combination that works so well with this beautiful body style, and all the chrome just gives it a perfect finishing touch. What are you doing for bumpers? Good originals are getting very scarce and re-chroming bumpers is big money.
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Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc

[obus]

great progress! You must be excited as all heck
_________________
July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
March 1956 Beetle convertible L41 Black

[Peter D.]