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Hello Everyone, got my first Ghia today!
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F4u5T
Aircooled Idiot


Joined: April 11, 2009
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Location: Bristol,VA
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:24 pm    Post subject: Hello Everyone, got my first Ghia today! Reply with quote

Hey Everyone,
I bought my first Ghia today! Ive wanted one since I was 14 - restoring a 71 super beetle ( my first car) now 17 years later I have somehow found the opportunity buy one. the body is perfect, very little rust! the problem is someone cut the roof off! Still I couldnt pass it up @ $800
Ive found some pretty good lookin "roadsters" , I think I may keep it this way and finish it, but Im worried about "flex" in the chassis.
What should I do

Any suggestions?


Last edited by F4u5T on Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:29 am; edited 1 time in total
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karmann57
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You either need to replace the roof or put in new rockers with the extra convertible support rail.

Pics would be nice too. Wink
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rzepko6194
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

a vert is fine, if you reinforce the chassis but what are you going to do for a top? Probably not an issue if you live in Arizona but there's no guarantee you won't get caught in the rain in most other places.
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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karmann57
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are the doors welded shut?

If it's as solid as you say I would just replace the roof, probably less work than replacing both rockers and the value of the car will be higher in the long run.
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I dont care about rain..
I actually bought another Ghia with this one with a good top for parts, that I could put the top back on it with.
Im not sure I want to anymore though. I dont need a daily driver and it would be a easy project to finish as a vert
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, they are welded shut. Guy said he did it to keep the body together when he replaced the floor pans.
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1badghia
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

looks to be a really good starting point for what could be a super nice ride.....my opinion,"which to most means nothing more than....say a bug on the windshield" bat anyway,if you want a vert i would say find one,as i would think that by the time you replaced the rockers with the rite ones smoothed out those seems,and got it to look rite the $$$ you would have in it would have bought a regular vert body....fix what you have,then find a vert.....thats just my thoughts.....dont mean i'm rite,its jsut what i think.
NOW that being said if you do forge on with your plan by all means keep us updated,we all have some help to contribute....i for one will support you eather way
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swhitcomb
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a roof section for sale off of a 70 or 71 coupe in the classifieds.
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Lair
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I looked at that car on a recent trip through SC. It's a shame that it got hacked, because it looks like it was a really solid car. The seller was asking $2200 or some ridiculous price when I saw it.

Did you get the donor car also?
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

going tomorrow to pick em up, ill either take the donor or cut the roof off and leave the rest.
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MRRAGPICKER
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Hello Everyone, got my first Ghia today! Reply with quote

F4u5T wrote:
I think I may keep it this way and finish it, but Im worried about "flex" in the chassis.
What should I do

Any suggestions?


Try talking the the guys at ReVolks. They say that they have a way to stiffen a Ghia without using the rockers. They were going to make a video of it to sell, but haven't done so yet.
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

k, its done
left the donor, she was dead - somebody needs to bury her.

Got a good deal, and the body is SOLID.
Gonna keep it as it is, I can correct the "flex" with some steel - no prob
Thanks for the referral

I'll be at Circle yer Wagens next weekend and
I have ALOT of parts that I dont think Im gonna need (rear pop out windows, side windows, great dash pad,etc ) let me know if you need something
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Lair
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can't say that I blame you for leaving the donor behind. I remember thinking it was a POS.
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dude, I been stripping it down - about to go to sandblast. This thing is in great shape!
I absolutely love the thing, I waited 17 years to buy one - now that I have I dont care so much about the roof, Though I will have to weld some reinforcements on the frame but hey I bought it to have fun with, thats what im gonna do
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Lee.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The door gap looks pretty straight with it welded shut. It might sense to keep it that way until you get the new roof welded back on.
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F4u5T
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah, about that - it wont be happening. Im keepin it chopped.
I decided I like it the way it is, I can fix the "flex". More steel- no big deal
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gregmporter
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Since the car is chopped, I'd recommend this... Don't worry about the "correct" stiffeners for a vert. Just cut out the heater channels (not the outer skin just the inner heater section) and replace it with square tube (14ga or so). Weld it to the rear wheel well, the support 1/2 way between the well and b-pillar and all the way up to the a pillar and fender well support. You should also run a brace from the wheel well to about 2/3 of the way up the b-pillar to keep it in place.

Guys will tell you that there are "correct" pieces of sheet metal to use for this etc. If you make the new main supports strong and stiff, you won't have to worry at all. You'll probably add about 50 lbs to the car, NBD...

If you need pics or further detail, just let me know.

Good luck.
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snookerdude
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:25 pm    Post subject: can't resist Reply with quote

just drill a 3/8" hole in each rocker and pop in a viagra....seal it back up.
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Lair
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

F4u5T wrote:
yeah, about that - it wont be happening. Im keepin it chopped.
I decided I like it the way it is, I can fix the "flex". More steel- no big deal


I have a bunch of convertible body parts - including the windshield frame and rear top mount structure.

Let me know if you need anything.
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