57 Kab Reconstruction/Restoration

WrennMetallWerks

Hey folks…. Correct me if I’m wrong…. This Ghia has the supports behind the rear valance for the bumper support bar to be bolted to but is absent of the hole through the valance and the weld nut. I feel like that is wrong ?but then again this is a car/ model (earliest Verts) that I’m not familiar with so I’m looking g for some feedback.

In my experience I have only seen cars with no supports on the body if they are euro delivered. I believe this car’s original destination is in the US.

I appreciate any insight here. Thanks in advance.

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WrennMetallWerks

^^^ I feel like we need to add a weld nut and the hole , but then again im not 100 percent sure to be honest. Did they offer the LL with Euro bumpers and the support on the body ? ^^^
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WrennMetallWerks

So looking at this supports up close I’m seeing they are hand made and located in two different heights as well as bead roll positions and over all dimensions Rolling Eyes

One is all the way at the bottom of the valance and one is mounted at the top. The plot thickens Laughing

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Loren · Samba Member Joined: January 10, 2004 Posts: 1818

Has the owner ordered the birth certificate from VW? This should tell you where it was delivered. It could be a Euro model that was imported. With all the work that has been done to it it’s hard to tell what’s original.

WrennMetallWerks

^^^ Hey Hey Mr Loren ^^^

So I did ask when I was first commissioned to reconstruct it but unfortunately he said he does not have the BC yet. I think it’s safe to say it most likely never had the supports but like you say it’s very difficult to say with this one.
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VeloMikey

There is a lot going on in that engine compartment. I think they were added. If the rear valence doesn't have holes, they don't belong. We need to find a factory car that doesn't have holes but has supports to prove my theory wrong.
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'58 Ghia 2387cc with a Berg / Folts 5 Speed

Ghia Build Thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768748

WrennMetallWerks

I spoke with the owner this morning , he is going to get the BC on it.

I’m yet to see a Euro spec car that has the braces. I feel
like that was not a thing.

It will be nice to find out what is correct for this build. It’s safe to say the previous shop did not have a handle on it.
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TRS63

Wow, a lot was hidden..good to see this car finally getting in the right hands!

Antoine
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Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906
My 52 Standard Zwitter :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10086685#10086685

WrennMetallWerks

^^^ For Real ^^^ I’m doing my best not to point to many finger’s Rolling Eyes

.
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WrennMetallWerks

We are off to a great start resurrecting the chassis.
The new donor cap has been prepped and is ready to be got to the tunnel.

We installed a new fuel line and reinforced the clutch tube.

We use the lay out table to get the front and rear suspension points perfectly level to each as well as checked to make sure that the are square.

Next up I can begin to fit and weld on the donor cap.

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Rome

Since the tunnel is so conveniently exposed, do you/owner intend to add the mounts for the safety belts such as per the '62+ model year- the inboard mount for lap belts? Same with the ones on the door post on the body for an upper mount for shoulder belt; and figure out where to add the 3rd mounting point for the outboard belt mount. At this point you can easily add the nut for the SAE universal bolt size on a reinforcement plate and have sturdy supports.

WrennMetallWerks

Hey Hey^^^

The owner is opting to do seat belts for safety

So I have two chassis to do that are going to get this treatment.

I like these ones Washburn is offering and I think they are a real viable option

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2564872
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DaveB9

Work inside the tunnel looks very neat. I hadn't seen those Washburn ones before. I had the tunnel open on my 61 and wanted seatbelts so I used some made by OMP for building race chassis:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286512590742?var=0&...3c9db618cf

The 7/16 thread seems to match the bolts that come with all belts. I adapted the same plates to make the convertible upper mounts based on a 66 bodyshell I took measurements from.