70 Ghia Vert project update

[off2wildblue]

As you may or may not know, my son and I are working on a 70 Ghia vert. This is the first of what hopefully will be many updates. We have been on the car about a month. Tearing it down right now. I swear it takes twice as much time to learn what to do than to actually do the job. A lot of reading and learning that is for sure. It is the first restoration project for both of us. He is 13 right now.

The car has a ton of rust but one major ding in the back engine compartment. This is a picture of it and I am not sure if it needs a new panel or if it can be bent back into shape. Suggestions welcomed. The Left third of the engine compartment is okay except for the molding slot is rusted away. The center third is higher on the right than the left and the right third is alright. Any suggestions?

Here it is body off. Hard to believe my 13 year old son, 11 year old daughter and I got this thing on the dolly. I just couldn't wait an hour for my wife to get home.

Dash and Luggage area? Do you sandblast this or what?

Day One:

Well any thoughts?

Hope you enjoy the pictures, I really enjoy seeing yours!

SAM

[off2wildblue]

Thanks, got the pics to work.

SAM

[69 KG]

Get in touch with Joey at All Around Restorations and Repairs.
http://www.allaroundrestos.com/
He just might have that metal you are looking for.
_________________
'72 Bus Safare Camper


"I've got amazing powers of observation" R.Waters
"Smile a little before you let it go" J. Edwards

[Frankie Pintado]

Looks like fun. I can tell by the research you're doing that you are going to do this right. Keep us posted on how it's coming. I read for about a month before I tore into mine, which wasn't nearly as needy as yours, thank god because I don't have a garage.
My knowledge is nowhere near encyclapedic, so I can't answer your questions.
If you haven't already noticed, there is a paint/body section on the samba where you can get some sound advice.
I have a question. Are you going to try to restore it to original? Or are you thinking about some customizing?
Have you ever seen type 1 headlights on a ghia? The way yours have rusted makes them a good candidate for that, although I prefer the original look.

[off2wildblue]

No, I am not sure what Type 1's even look like. Do you have a picture of one. I am going with the custom version. Too much is needed to get it to original. Maybe the next one. I will take more time and maybe get one with less work than this.

SAM

[sputnick60]

TYPE 1 , also known as Beetle

look here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/t.php

and further
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/

It is so rich with information

Everything I know I learned it on the Samba

Nicholas

[werka]

This thread may be of some use to you.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=293956

[off2wildblue]

Actually, now that I went and saw the beetle or type 1 lights, I do remember having seen a Ghia with those lights installed. I actually really like it and was thinking about that after seeing a picture a couple weeks ago. I can't find the car again but will have to keep looking.

I think it would be a good candidate for Type 1 lights as well. Do people fab the sheet metal or buy a patch panel? If it is a patch, which car do you use?

Thanks,

SAM

[sputnick60]

You could use this
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TAB%2D404%2D212
together with this
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D141%2D809%2D145

and keep it looking stock........you can reuse the rings and the lights

.....can you tell I'm not enthusiastic about the type one idea

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!

[hpw]

[DONGKG]

Sounds a lot of fun going on there! I remember whne we restored our KG '67 'vert. Wow, it was fun and headache!

But, it was worth the wait!

Just be sure to catalog all the parts left, place them in a box and store them safely. One missing part may spell disaster.

Your KG is pretty straight, though some body panels needs some serious TLC, but the overall appearance is well within the restorable state. You can opt to buy panels that are available on the market to replace some rusted areas, or you can fabricate these rusted parts, it will depend on the time and money that will be spent on your project KG. It may be costly!

Just be patient and you don't have to rush things out. Patience is an excellent virtue ~~~~ once seriously practiced and put into action, everything will follow smoothly.

Congrats, enjoy the restoration stage. Mind you, once you are already driving your KG, you'll be surprised with all the reactions and good comments your get from our co-motorists!

~~~~~~~~~ and that is PRICELESS!
_________________
'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20

[off2wildblue]

Thanks guys for the vote of confidence. I will keep you updated on how it goes. I appreciate the comments and those lights look pretty darn cool. I may have to check into those.

SAM

[DaveTrig]

Best of luck! I'm sooo very jealous of your garage space.

Do you have any pics of how you did the door bracing? I'm doing a body-off on my '72 vert this winter. My rockers and channels are so bad, I have to make sure the thing doesn't split in half when I lift the body.
_________________
DaveTrig
'72 Ghia Convertible
'71 SuperBeetle Convertible

=

[NOVA Airhead]

IMO you want to preserve as much of the original metal as possible. I would try fixing rusted/damaged areas first before resorting to complete replacement panels.

As for headlights, the type 1 conversion isn't for me but its your car.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus

[off2wildblue]

Need assistance. I know I have a few questions here but any help is greatly appreciated. We feel totally in the dark. Also, if anyone doesn't mind you can PM me or I would love to talk to someone that has done all this. Don't even get me started about the heater channel replacement.

Up to this point, my son Vince and I went through and removed just about everything and then took Aircraft remover stripper and took off all the paint on the outside except for the rockers which will no doubt be replaced. I have never had anything media blasted will it remove all the rust? For example, this is a picture behind my front right fender. Will this get cleaned up pretty well? At least enough to put POR 15 or another rust preventive product on it?

So now we are standing here saying...what now?

What are the preferred order of things?
Such as,

1. Media Blast then POR 15 or whatever you like, then epoxy then replace medal and panels then filler and finally prime and paint.

Or

2. Do panel and medal replacement then media blast then filler then POR 15 then epoxy prime and paint?

Or

3. Media Blast then POR 15 inside then panel and metal replacement then fill and then epoxy primer and finally paint.

I am considering number 3 but I am most worried about flash rusting.

Also, the rear of the car needs a bunch of panel replacements and we're not sure if we need a rear clip or not, what do you think? Price would probably be crazy high.

Last question, my rear luggage area looks good on the back of the fire wall but the main floor of it is really pitted out. What are the options here?

Enough questions for now so what do all you guys think?

Thanks for any help,

SAM

Here is where the car is now:


Outside after Aircraft remover:

Headlight areas need replaced and not sure what to do with the creases and lumps. Now have all the puddy off.

Back of firewall and rear luggage looks solid but the left and center thirds and rear apron need replaced.

Rear luggage is pitted through in a number of places and I am not sure how to handle this.

[grelland]

A lot of questions here, bot I will try to the best of my ability.

First to the order of blasting/priming etc, at least I started by removing all old paint/bondo etc, to get a good picture of the damage. I have stored my car indoors during the course of my restauration, so most of the time, I left the metal unprotected until I was done with the metal work, then I added the etch primer, epoxy primer, underseal and paint.
Many people have good experience with POR-15 too.

It seems to me that the inside of your front fender will clean up well with media blasting, but do you plan on doing it yourself, or have someone do it? Anyways be careful if you are using sand, as too much pressure and volume may heat the panels, and warp them. Some professional blaters use nutshells, soda or other less agressive media, so you may want to go that route.

As for the parcel shelf, here I am on thin ice.. but it seems to me that your best bet would be to find a replacement shelf. I know they make decent replacements for the beetle, but I dont know if they fit. Others in here may know that. I know the rear inner fenders are marketed as the same for beetles and Ghias, so there is a chance they fit. The other option is to go to a place like HouseofGhia and ask whether they have used parts.

Btw, a father-and-son project like this is great! My eldest son is only 9, but he is still very much involved in my restoration.

Keep the pictures coming.

[off2wildblue]

Thanks a bunch for the response. I am going to have it professionally media blasted. I was quoted $700 for a local shop and for $300 more they epoxy primer it.

There in lies the dilemma. It would be great to get it back already primed but I figured I should put a sealant on the bare metal (at least all over and underneath the car). The outside should be okay without the sealant I would think anyway.

I think I am going to look for a rear clip (Vert is tough to get) but that would make things a little easier and maybe cheaper in the long run as well. Then do metal work then professional media blast and then seal the inside with POR or equivalent, then filler and finally epoxy prime and paint. Does that sound like a descent plan for us?

Believe me I can hardly sleep at night about trying to figure out the best process to use to finish this thing. The actually work is a little scary but at least it will be fun.

Once again thanks for the reply,

SAM

[NOVA Airhead]

I would go with what you have described in italics. If you are concerned, clean up the lightly rusted areas and spot prime. If the car is inside, you should be OK until you get the metal work done and can have the car blasted.

Good luck and have fun! Also, get some sleep, it will all work out.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus

[off2wildblue]

Thanks Airhead, I do feel much better once again having some direction with the project. I appreciate the feedback.

SAM

[off2wildblue]

I just got the floor pans out and pretty much cleaned up the edges. I just have a couple questions.

1. I assume that we leave the "built in nut" on the original floor pan and put the new floor pan in around that section. Is this correct or do we cut it all out and use a through bolt mount?

2. Suspension Questions:

I want the car to be lowered but not in to the point it is in the dirt. I just want it to be obvious the front is lowered. I also want the car to perform well and ride well. So what do you guys recommend?

Manufactures and suggestions for:

Drop spindles, what about narrowing the beam (adjustable?), type of shocks (I like to see the coils), also any brakes and calipers you recommend. I just feel lost looking at all that stuff and need a little guidence to get me going.

Also, after looking at pic's am I okay or am I in big trouble and pretty much have to replace everything?

Thanks, I appreciate any help here you guys may have.

SAM