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rickpereira Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2010 Posts: 330 Location: Sydney, AUstralia
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:19 pm Post subject: Karmann Ghia Replicas |
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this video shows a guy making karmann ghia bodies out of fibreglass and selling the complete car for 30 000 euros??
that equals almost $38 000 AUD
or $40 000 USD
lot of money for fibreglass
Link
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13955 Location: Southampton U.K.
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Yellow_Submarine Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2011 Posts: 69 Location: Miami Beach
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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That's insane! Why would you buy a replica when you could buy an original for less? _________________ Check out my '72 Ghia build, nicknamed "Yellow Submarine" |
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Little Harry Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Marquez, Texas
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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They claim with Hack's reproduction you can actually drive it to work everyday. Mine is the real deal and I drive it to work everyday too. And I didn't pay somebody $40,000 for it either. _________________ 1973 VW Karmann Ghia - 1679cc, Kadrons, MoFoCo 041's, Tri-Mil Euro, Interstate Battery, and a little rust.
Zack1978 wrote: |
From my perspective vintage VW's are beyond being used for daily driver purposes. It would be best to have your car parked in a garage, and kept away from the elements on a daily basis. Zack |
Uhhh...yeah...I disagree |
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67ghiaTIV Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2004 Posts: 97
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:45 am Post subject: |
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I must admit I like the hardtop option.
Jamie |
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Greezy Joe Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2010 Posts: 1534 Location: Crawfordville, Fl
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:45 am Post subject: |
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Little Harry wrote: |
They claim with Hack's reproduction you can actually drive it to work everyday. Mine is the real deal and I drive it to work everyday too. And I didn't pay somebody $40,000 for it either. |
I guess it would be the same as wanting a 356 or 550 Spider kit car (would like one of those), I have 2 real Ghias and have 30 grand in the Vert and 16+ grand in the coupe. Vert is almost stock original but the coupe ain't. _________________ Current:74 Ghia Coupe w/ 2276
71 Ghia Vert w/ 1835
07 GMC Truck
12 Jeep Wrangler
73 Harley FLH 93 cid
89 Harley 883 Sportster (1200)
Owned before: 58, 69 Ghia Coupes, 64 Canvas Sunroof, 68, 72, 73, & 74 Bugs, 63 Single Cab, 65 Bus, 66 & 70 Camper
" Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it'll muffle the sound". |
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Altema Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2010 Posts: 2904 Location: Lower Michigan
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:52 am Post subject: |
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I would consider someone building these as a compliment. But, since it is using a VW chassis, I don't see how it would be a better driver than an original. I drive mine when the roads are clean and dry, even when it's well below freezing. The body would be rustproof, but you would still need to be concerned about the rest of the car.
In a perfect world where I had the money, I would make a replica from stainless steel and drive it year round, even in the snow.
Paul |
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NOVA Airhead Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005 Posts: 5221 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:19 am Post subject: |
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Greezy Joe wrote: |
Little Harry wrote: |
They claim with Hack's reproduction you can actually drive it to work everyday. Mine is the real deal and I drive it to work everyday too. And I didn't pay somebody $40,000 for it either. |
I guess it would be the same as wanting a 356 or 550 Spider kit car (would like one of those), I have 2 real Ghias and have 30 grand in the Vert and 16+ grand in the coupe. Vert is almost stock original but the coupe ain't. |
Yes but in the situation of those Porsche models the originals cost far more than the kit cars. It seems to be the opposit with the Ghia. _________________ Ghia Owner Emeritus |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13955 Location: Southampton U.K.
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Little Harry Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Marquez, Texas
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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John Moxon wrote: |
Personally I have no desire to own any replica; Karmann Ghia, 356, 550 Spider or any other classic based rip-off.
For me they offer little of the flavour of an original...you have to remember driving an original you're embracing the short-comings as well as the good. That's what makes an original a unique experience.
Nothing else does it, a good original gives a warm glow of pride you'll never get with a replica. |
I agree completely. _________________ 1973 VW Karmann Ghia - 1679cc, Kadrons, MoFoCo 041's, Tri-Mil Euro, Interstate Battery, and a little rust.
Zack1978 wrote: |
From my perspective vintage VW's are beyond being used for daily driver purposes. It would be best to have your car parked in a garage, and kept away from the elements on a daily basis. Zack |
Uhhh...yeah...I disagree |
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calexican Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008 Posts: 730 Location: El Paso, TX
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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Little Harry wrote: |
John Moxon wrote: |
Personally I have no desire to own any replica; Karmann Ghia, 356, 550 Spider or any other classic based rip-off.
For me they offer little of the flavour of an original...you have to remember driving an original you're embracing the short-comings as well as the good. That's what makes an original a unique experience.
Nothing else does it, a good original gives a warm glow of pride you'll never get with a replica. |
I agree completely. |
Speaking of warm glow.....Merry Christmas John, and thanks for all you do here on the forum. Happy New Year! |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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if you don't want rust ever and don't know or care about the original feel, then it's the car for you.
I think the shape of the Rudolph roadster is pretty spot on, well done for a kit car, and the quality seems high too. It's a new old car, nice kit car. I rate it in the same category as the Porsche fiberglass kit cars.
I wonder if the individual fiberglass parts like hoods and doors will also fit on the original full steel VW Karmann Ghia convertible. _________________ drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13955 Location: Southampton U.K.
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jhuebner Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Germany
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2012 10:09 am Post subject: |
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Just shows what the market is over here in Europe, I think I need to buy a cheap Ghia $300-$1000, ship it over here for $1500 do nothing to it and flip it. |
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Altema Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2010 Posts: 2904 Location: Lower Michigan
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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I just thought of something... If all they are doing is replacing the body with a fiberglass shell, I don't think it would be very well off in a collision. Ghia's are not noted for exceptional crash-worthiness, but I'd rather be surrounded by steel! I had the misfortune if having someone pull in front of me a few months ago, which left a small dent behind the right headlight. The body shop just bumped the ding out and repainted since there was no bondo, but I would not expect fiberglass to do as well.
Paul |
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Zack1978 Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2006 Posts: 544 Location: NJ
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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It's interesting that they claim to put the new bodies on Bug pans. The Bug pan is narrower than a Karmann Ghia, right?
Zack _________________ 1972 Coupe |
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Little Harry Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Marquez, Texas
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Zack1978 wrote: |
It's interesting that they claim to put the new bodies on Bug pans. The Bug pan is narrower than a Karmann Ghia, right?
Zack |
I think you are right Zack. If I am not mistaken the Bug pans are also a hair shorter. From what I recall the Thing and Ghia have the same size pans but the Bug is smaller. I could be wrong though, it has happened before _________________ 1973 VW Karmann Ghia - 1679cc, Kadrons, MoFoCo 041's, Tri-Mil Euro, Interstate Battery, and a little rust.
Zack1978 wrote: |
From my perspective vintage VW's are beyond being used for daily driver purposes. It would be best to have your car parked in a garage, and kept away from the elements on a daily basis. Zack |
Uhhh...yeah...I disagree |
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Altema Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2010 Posts: 2904 Location: Lower Michigan
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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If they are using bugs, then they are either modifying the pans or compensating with the body mounts being moved inboard. |
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bugninva Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2004 Posts: 8858 Location: sound it out.
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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the chasis is type one whether bug or ghia(or even thing). the pan inserts are different. as Altema said, if they are using bug "pans" they can be compensating in the body, since it is "custom". _________________
[email protected] wrote: |
With a show of hands, who has built over 1000 engines in the last 25 years? Anyone? |
GEX has. Just sayin |
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swhitcomb Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 5673 Location: Inwood WV
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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I think they're pretty cool. Fwiw, bug pans are narrower, not shorter. If you out Ghia pans on a bug chassis it it exactly the same as a Ghia. _________________ My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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