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MiltonGhia
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2021
Posts: 32
Location: Toronto, Canada
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 Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 3:48 pm Post subject: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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Anyone running a fiberglass front clip on their Ghia?
This is mine below. Not ideal, but it’s how I got the car, so I’m working with what I have.
The hinge setup was a mess, but with some help from a buddy we came up with a solid, secure fix that I’m really happy with. Now I’m trying to figure out the best way to latch the front end to the body where the clip closes.
Any suggestions for securing the front clip when closed? I need something strong but easy enough for one person to open since I have to lift the whole front to fuel up. You can see in the photo I had straps on each side — they’re gone now, too flimsy and I didn’t like the look.
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RickS
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2005
Posts: 651
Location: Speonk, NY
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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| Dzus fasteners. |
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MiltonGhia
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2021
Posts: 32
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2025 4:51 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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| I tried Dzus fasteners and ended up scraping them. Anyone have experience with pins they would recommend? |
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RickS
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2005
Posts: 651
Location: Speonk, NY
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2025 7:03 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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| MiltonGhia wrote: |
| I tired Dzus fasteners and ended up scraping them. Anyone have experience with pins they would recommend? |
Why? This is what every racer uses, not to mention, airplanes. |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2854
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2025 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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Consider using a draw latch on each side. You'd need to come up with a mounting scheme on the inside for the catch, and if you're willing to add a cut-out just behind the clip's wheel opening and get creative, some styles might even be able to mount flush > Draw latches
They're available in a rotary style too > Rotary Draw Latches
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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MiltonGhia
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2021
Posts: 32
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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| RickS wrote: |
| MiltonGhia wrote: |
| I tired Dzus fasteners and ended up scraping them. Anyone have experience with pins they would recommend? |
Why? This is what every racer uses, not to mention, airplanes. |
The fasteners were installed before some additional fiberglass work that was needed was done on the front clip for better fitment, and the plates weren't welded on very well. More my fault then the fasteners but I do want to try something else. |
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MiltonGhia
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2021
Posts: 32
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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| rcooled wrote: |
Consider using a draw latch on each side. You'd need to come up with a mounting scheme on the inside for the catch, and if you're willing to add a cut-out just behind the clip's wheel opening and get creative, some styles might even be able to mount flush > Draw latches
They're available in a rotary style too > Rotary Draw Latches |
Thanks for the info and links — those look like they’d provide a really solid hold, definitely something to consider.
I’m now thinking about fitting the clip more semi-permanently and cutting it where the OEM bonnet would be, then adding hinges so it opens just for fueling. Then I'm not constantly messing with opening and closing the entire clip... Still not 100% sure though. |
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Steelz21
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2017
Posts: 164
Location: Ontario canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2025 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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Your car is looking good. 2026 is going to be the year it sees the road again.
Are you in Milton or are you Milton?
I am just outside Ancaster. |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10784
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Fiberglass Front Clip Help |
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How about 2 leather straps, such as what Beck offers for the Spyder kit's engine lid?
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