Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly

[jpajya]

As Jeff mentioned earlier, Bug Out #86 was held today at Sumerduck Dragway, VA. Several members of the Capital VW Club cruised to the show together. Although you can't see his face, Jeff was smiling the whole way there and back. Based on spectator attention, was definitely a favorite at the show, and to top it off, Jeff received Top 20 recognition for his efforts. First of many, I'm sure.
John

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John
'70 Ghia convertible

[rbsurfguy]

Awesome pic, Thanks John! Yes, made Top 20, so 19th loser!!!!

Today I went to a local annual open car show in Fairfax Virginia, tons of nice cars, only a few VW's, friends in our group Mark with his 73 Thing, and Benny with his Crew Cab, a couple other buses/camper van's and a beetle. Of course, mine was the only Ghia. There was a nice young couple next to me with a 1970 Fiat 500 they brought back with them from Italy when returning from military service, they won Best Foreign.

When it got down to the end of the awards, my name got called for a People's Choice Award! So not bad moving from 19th place to a Trophy that the fans voted for!

Despite the almost 100 degree heat this weekend, it was really fun showing my car and talking with so many people. Some guy who owns maybe 6 Porsche's and a few other exotics was flipping out how my car looked. I said, dude, you have PORSCHE'S, he said yeah, but you just don't see many if any Ghia's.

Like John said, my face hurts from smiling so much this weekend, need to readjust the facial stretching's and rebuild my angry face, I need to deal with clients this week!

Having fun!
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[jpajya]

Wow - pretty big deal since that’s a large show.

Congratulations! You’re 2 for 2!
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John
'70 Ghia convertible

[rbsurfguy]

There were definitely way more cars there than at the Bug Out for sure. And thanks John!

I guess being new to the show scene I'm not up up on how the games are played when Judges aren't actually looking at the cars, many of us found it a little strange that all the 2020-2023 cars were wining trophy's over all the classics and muscle cars. Many surmised that their car groups were all voting for each other's cars and asking people to vote for them. Voting was done by scanning a QR code and then entering the show car number. I didn't ask anyone to vote for me, I had too much fun just talking with people and hearing their VW stories like we all do. Who care's, it was just a fun day with car people!

Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[Marcdeb]

Congrats Jeff. I would take a peoples choice award over a judging award any day.
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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

[rbsurfguy]

Thanks Marc, good attitude, I agree!

Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[jpajya]

I thought those who have followed Jeff's impressive resto journey over the years might enjoy an update.

So here's a photo of Jeff's midnight burgundy '71 Ghia that took 1st place in VW class today at the Sully Historic Site Car Show in Chantilly, VA. A few weeks ago, he took home a Top 20 award at the Bug Invasion at Sumerduck Raceway.
Well deserved recognition - congratulations, Jeff!

Since getting back on the road in the last 2 years, Jeff has been enjoying the heck out of his Ghia. If I hadn't helped him install the convertible roof, I would be skeptical whether he even had a roof under the convertible top boot. Rain or shine, hot or cold, I've never seen him out with the roof up. Always roof down and a big smile.

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John
'70 Ghia convertible

[rbsurfguy]

Nice! Thanks John for pointing out my failure to update my page!! He's right though, I have been having so much fun driving my Ghia since finishing it and hanging with my Capital VW Club crew that I've been forgetting to post.

So yes, The recent show I got 1st place in the VW category out of about 12 VW's. Our other Club member Jack got 3rd with his awesome mostly original 58 Beetle. It's a yearly open car show for anything pre 2000 with no major mods. They don't want hot rod types, so lot's of classic updated originals. I was literally sitting in my garage waiting for the drizzle to stop, because as John said, I HATE driving with the top up, plus it's getting harder to climb in and out of the Ghia with the top up, that's why I have a convertible!! John has a Really Nice red 70 Ghia convertible, but I can't always get him to drop the top!! C'mon John, Get TOPLESS!!!

Correction, at the Summerduck Bug Invasion I received Top 10, along with 2 other club members, Jack's 58 Beetle, and Mark's 73 Thing. Our Capital VW club has been doing pretty well at recent shows. This win for our club was really surprising as there are close to 100 or more AWESOME VW's at this event, so feel honored to get a Top 10 award

Bug Invasion

At the Fairfax Antique Auto show, I received Best Engine! That was really cool, and Mark also received an award for his Thing.

Jack's 58 Beetle, my Ghia, Mark's Thing

So yeah, have really enjoyed driving and attending event's with our crew. A great bunch of guys that help each other out and no snobs. We regularly attend other local VW clubs' get togethers and have a lot of fun with them at their events.

Get out there and enjoy while the weather is good, at least on the east coast mid-Atlantic area!
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[DaveB9]

Gorgeous car - I love that colour, it really changes in the different lights.

Did you sort out the vague steering in the end? If so, what route did you go?

[rbsurfguy]

Hi Dave, Thank you.

Yes, as for the steering, I ended up buying a "New" rebuild from a vendor here, I believe it was VW NOS (?) Someone can clarify. Steering has been much better, no drifting or struggling like before. I also had the front end aligned, which helped even more.
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[Steelz21]

Congratulations, well deserved awards for one seriously beautiful Ghia. I can’t get over how cool that colour looks in the sunshine.