50 Years Ago It was available in ........

[Rome]

Dave and Ian, thanks for a very interesting, colorful and well researched topic!

Owokie, congratulations to being a lucky owner of such an original Ghia!

Dave, have you come up with this (and so much other on other posts) info "on your own", or do you share notes with Mr. Troy?

Roland in NY
'64 Ghia coupe, originally very pale "robin's egg blue/turquoise" but now gaudy orange with white top
'64 Ghia cabrio (L87 pearl white) with brown vinyl top

[Broadacus]

Hi Dave,

Sorry to rub this in, but am getting ready for the trip tomorrow to Germany. I will scan the article when I get back and e mail it to you.

I am also interested in finding out about the seat material found in the early cars. Most early Lowlights have the leatherette / cord material combination, however from the early literature, pictures of all leatherette seats are shown. Do you have any information on how the interior could be factory ordered.

I was also told by the owner of a 1959 ( non lowlight, three slat grills) that all rubber mats could be ordered for countries with wet conditions. Were there options on the carpet combinations?

[retrowagen]

Let's see, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the color selection widened in January of 1956. From what I gather, the interior materials changed in the same month--with what chassis number or date I have yet to discover (factory documentation only says, "January"). Any rate, the change was from all-leatherette upholstery to leatherette + corduroy on door panels and seats. I would surmise the new interior corresponded with the new colors.

Also note well that the full rubber front firewall cladding was added with this new interior materials. Prior to this, the Karmann Ghias had carpeting on the front firewall (except for an area behind the pedals comprising roughly the bottom half of the flat firewall surface). Here's what the earliest version looked like:
http://karmannghia.org/sales_lit/other/1955/page_11.gif
http://karmannghia.org/sales_lit/other/1955/page_7.gif
and http://karmannghia.org/sales_lit/other/1955/page_10.gif
Here's what the second version looked like (picture credit to Broad):

It's my understanding that the 1960 model year cars (OK, the late, August 1959-on, first non-"lowlight") cars had interiors quite similar to the 1959's, excepting the new steering wheel, column, and turn signal switch. Also, there was a reversion to carpeting for most of the front firewall, and well as the central "tunnel" and side heater channels. The removable rubber mats on the floor surfaces were retained (and remained so, through--what was it? 1966 or so?). I don't believe Karmann ever offered a "tropical" interior. But with removable (one "unbuttons" them) rubber floor mats with loose asphalt sound deadening insulating panels beneath, whay would one need full rubber (which was seen by some as too austere for a "luxury" car!)? One could easily remove them to dry out a moist Ghia's bilge. What with the sieve-like window seals (especially in advanced age), it puzzles me why anyone would wish to glue carpets to the floors, guaranteeing rust after a rainy day!
_________________
David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club

[Broadacus]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the information above. I have an English version of the 1955 literature that you feature. In English the booklet is called "Attention All Service Stations" The booklet was sent out to Volkswagen dealers before the launch of the Karmann Ghia. In the booklet the car is not named as a Karmann Ghia and only referred to as a Ghia- Karmann. The photographs are black and white but I think features a Gazelle Beige car. The full leatherette seats and door panels are clearly shown in one of the photo's. The front mats are clearly shown in another photo and are not all rubber as the later cars are.

Also note that the heater outlet on the early 1955 cars, is towards the front of the car, where as the position on my 1957 is more towards the back of the car.

[retrowagen]

[pbaptist]

The englich version on the 1955 brochure from broadacus can be found on my internetpage: see: http://www.karmann-ghia.nl/folders/folder_voor_1955%20effen%20zwart%20engels.htm

Unfortunately for me Broaducas outbid me in the last seconds, but the sellar was nice enought to sent me a kopie of the brochures.

Greetings

Patrick

Broaducas: See you in Gerorgamarienhutte
_________________
Dutch Karmann-Ghia and coachbuild lover.
1* Karmann Ghia Coupe (1966 Teak)
2* Karmann Ghia Convertible (1958, 1971)
4* Rometsch Lawrence (nr 534, 555, 558 and 561)

Karmann-Ghia Lowlight page and registry
Karmann-Ghia Collectibles database

[swanlakers]

just to add another data point - my recently purchased 1956 ghia was factory lizard green. VIN 12737xx, body 79xx. Currently in primer, there is ample evidence of the metalic green paint in nooks and crannies. The color appears as a sort of mild avacado color, and the metallic is very fine grained and understated.

[swanlakers]

The fabric on the right is the original from my 1959 ghia, which had black paint

the fabric on the left is what I used to re-upholster. It looks a little lighter but the final result is very similar to the original

code on the back of the new fabric: M87 044,
I think it was used on older Mustangs.

[Jimmy Perez]

Anyone know the mixing (formula) for 58 Lowlight Ghia L281 Grey/white the Goes on Aerosilver paint, the formula, from PPG , Glasurit , any good paint as long as formula is correct. Thank you In advance Jimmy
_________________
Single Cab, Swapmeet Mafia$

[calexican]

dear moderators, such a nice thread...anyway to repost the photos without the photo bucket logo?

[EverettB]

Yes, I can move the photos to Samba and update the links so they do not have the Photobucket logo.
I will work on it in a minute...

Edit:
Done, fixed all the Photobucket links so they link here instead.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[calexican]

Very nice!! Thank you Everett.