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Steelz21 Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2017 Posts: 164 Location: Ontario canada
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 9:24 am Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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The attention to detail is incredible.
I like the spare spark plug holder. I looked at it too but it is a bit pricey now. |
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Steelz21 Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2017 Posts: 164 Location: Ontario canada
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 9:30 am Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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I made a riser for the rear seat to fill the annoying gap where it meets the backrest. The backrest doesn’t fold all the way but the glass window is back there most of the time. I also added a little strap instead of ripping off my finger nails every time a lift the seat. .
I made a little carpeted cover for the hard start relay.
I Wolfsburged the hub caps just for a change. |
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kingkarmann Samba Member

Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 4656
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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 6:29 am Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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Garage therapy is the best  |
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drdavo69 Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2025 Posts: 1 Location: Greenville SC
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2025 6:16 am Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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Getting started on a long dormant project. Bought a '69 Ghia coupe in Somerville, MA in '84 with 47K on it and some serious rust decay on the bottom fringes. It was running for a few years while my wife and I were away in Africa and my brothers-in-law used it as a "utility" (read "getaway" vehicle) in the Norwood/Dedham area. I did some initial welding of panels and have lugged this around and have had it in storage ever since. Fully disassembled and saved (and labeled) every part. I had rocker panels and pans replaced (body off) but still needs more panel welding.
My goal is to get the chassis and body in good shape with a pro paint job and then do the re-assembly myself. I have started in on the engine (stock 1500) yesterday. God help me and wish me luck. |
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3Bears Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2024 Posts: 3 Location: fairbanks alaska
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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took it to its 2nd show since getting back on the road, parked in 1999
fairbanks alaska |
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sputnick60 Samba Moderator

Joined: July 22, 2007 Posts: 4147 Location: In Molinya Orbit
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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I took mine for a drive after it's been sitting idle for a year. I poured a little fuel into the throat of the carb, removed the battery minder and after a few cranks she started right up and ran smoothly. This car sure is reliable. No oil leaks no smoke, everything running fine.
Here it is getting fuelled up with a few litres for the drive around town.
Nicholas _________________ '66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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John Moxon  Samba Moderator

Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 14258 Location: Southampton U.K.
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Steelz21 Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2017 Posts: 164 Location: Ontario canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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| That is one good looking Ghia. |
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kiwighia68 Samba Member

Joined: October 20, 2013 Posts: 2947 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
| sputnick60 wrote: |
I took mine for a drive after it's been sitting idle for a year. I poured a little fuel into the throat of the carb, removed the battery minder and after a few cranks she started right up and ran smoothly. This car sure is reliable. No oil leaks no smoke, everything running fine.
Here it is getting fuelled up with a few litres for the drive around town.
Nicholas |
Pity there's not a roll-on/roll off Ferry to Auckland. :lol: |
I've been telling our mutual friend to bring his Ghia to Auckland. I dream of going on long rides with him in front of me, nipping around the corners on the back-roads and stopping at way-out of civilisation places for coffee and a pie.
And our usual chats. My best friend in NZ. And Ghia guru. _________________ Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015 |
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ScubaPro Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2022 Posts: 4 Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2025 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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| Replaced not working fuel sending unit in my 68 with one from my local VW shop Polks / Wolfberg West. Great to have a working fuel gauge again. |
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Altema Samba Member

Joined: June 20, 2010 Posts: 2907 Location: Lower Michigan
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Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2025 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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| Yes, it's been a while. Our Ghia saw daily driver duty for about a month while a shop was locating a replacement trans for my other car. For wet days, the Ghia remained safe and dry at home, and my wife dropped me off at work. It was fun, and every time I drive it I fall in love all over again. My knees don't love it, but everything else does! |
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mikrobi67 Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2004 Posts: 50
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 9:43 am Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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I'm just enjoying autumn.
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rightrudder Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2025 Posts: 17 Location: CA
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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I did the Bowden tube washer trick today, and it really does help stop the clutch judder. I put two thick washers in, and now I might go for a third to really make it smooth.
Also, seat track modification on driver's side to get 2 in. more rearward travel. Thanks to all who have done this before...Dremel'd off the two prongs on seat rails and put a couple of machine screws per side (#10, 5/8" long) 2 in. back. Spacing between prongs is a nice neat 20 mm.
Really simplifies ingress/ egress, easier to work the pedals and my wrists fall right on wheel rim with outstretched arms..perfect spacing for me. |
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rightrudder Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2025 Posts: 17 Location: CA
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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Fixed an annoying rattle on my '70 coupe from the upper attachment point of the 3-point belts. Cut a big grommet in half and it's just the right width to take up the slack and eliminate the jangle. Also installed some different window cranks...needed chrome of some sort to go with shiny door release and escutcheon plate. Stocker is all black pebble grain plastic and belongs in a Vanagon, not a Ghia.
Also, does anyone know a source for the vertical trim piece that goes between the rubber seal and carpet in the door jamb? Mine's missing on driver's side....here's the passenger side. My suspicion is that I'll need to source a used part.
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69GhiaRat Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Wyoming
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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Got out and enjoyed the beautiful weather!
_________________ Richard
1969 Karmann Ghia
1969 Beetle |
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sputnick60 Samba Moderator

Joined: July 22, 2007 Posts: 4147 Location: In Molinya Orbit
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John Moxon  Samba Moderator

Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 14258 Location: Southampton U.K.
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rightrudder Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2025 Posts: 17 Location: CA
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Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 8:26 am Post subject: Re: What did you do to your ghia this week? |
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Front suspension refresh, and had lowering adjusters welded in. So sick of scraping crud and undercoating off suspension...it was so nice to reassemble with clean parts! Spindle ball joints were in great shape, so I just regreased and replaced the split boots. New tie rods, steering balljoints, steering damper, anti-roll bar bushings and attachment clamps, front shocks.
New front ride height is about 1.5" lower. So nice to easily put it back to stock height if desired. Now just have to wait for rain to end so I can drive it.
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rightrudder Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2025 Posts: 17 Location: CA
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2025 1:58 pm Post subject: Sump stud fix, new tach |
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Like a lot of VWs out there, mine came with six short sump studs, and was missing the long one and corresponding locknut to clamp down the oil pickup.
Fiddly job putting on that nut and tightening it down, due to limited clearance between the pickup and sump. A modified wrench made it easy.
Cheap thin 10mm wrench from Amazon. Make sure the box end is 12 point. Disc sander was really helpful in reducing OD of the box end, and notch clears pickup bracket and gives you a couple extra degrees of swing. Cut off other end. Very easy to apply proper torque to that nut.
Also, new tach from ISP that matches speedometer face pretty well. Naturally, clock was inop so easy decision to swap it out. Was really curious to see what cruising revs were...turns out 75 mph is a hair under 4K rpm.
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