Saving Emiko: 68 RHD Restoration in New Zealand

[kiwighia68]

We're 11 days into a total lockdown in New Zealand. I've decided to build a centre console for my Ghia from materials I have already. The hardware stores are regarded as non-essential and I can't make any purchases.

Step 1 is to make a template from cardboard.

The sides will be made of Texon board - reinforced inside with styrene foam and balsa wood, perhaps reinforced further with fibreglass.

The materials I have at hand are styrene foam, vinyl matching my seat covers, balsa wood, Texon board, heat resistant foam, carpet matching my car's carpets, seat insert matching my car's seat covers.

If TMI still offered a center console I would have bought it from them, but they now longer offer it on their website. What's the worst that can happen? I can make a mess of it. Been there and done that many times.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

[rbsurfguy]

Looks good and can't wait to see the progress, as I plan on doing this to mine as well.

Question, don't you think the materials you are using are too light weight? Or do you think using the multiple layers of mixed material will be strong enough, just wondering.
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[kiwighia68]

[rbsurfguy]

Gotcha. Still look forward to following your progress. Here the home centers are considered essential, I guess because people are stuck at home and need to make repairs and work on their gardens, though they have now reduced hours, so materials still available. I'm looking at using some pieces of an old desk that are already cut at an angle, but like you, want to make a template to match the curves.
Watching....
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[mcdonaldneal]

Looks like a good project Chris. (A lot more pleasant than stripping the underseal off a camper anyway)!
_________________
1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[kgj]

Great idea. Indeed, what’s the worst....
I must admit, the one novelty I sort of secretly like about this lockdown is the ingenuity and make do and mend approach many of us are forced into with most of our favourite shops shut.
I have some 4mm ply...

I’m watching.
_________________
1958 coupe

[John Moxon]

Good idea. Today I will be constructing a rear decklid spoiler out of a couple of Amazon boxes, a stapler and and a spare spray can of orange gloss paint.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[sputnick60]

[rbsurfguy]

Another question Chris I forgot to ask, I see you are running the consul to the front wall, realizing you have a RHD Ghia, but on the drivers side do you plan on having a cut out at the foot/pedal area, or solid to the front wall? I guess I should wait for pics on the drivers side. Looking to see what you come up with. Thanks,
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[kiwighia68]

[kiwighia68]

[kiwighia68]

[John Moxon]

[KGCoupe]

So you're already doing some home improvements and repairs, eh?
Perfect!

If you need some heavier wood for your center console project, here's a thought ...
Explain to your wife that the latest kitchen trend is to have a couple open style cabinets (no door) so that her lovely dishes and glassware can be showcased.

Not only will you end up with a couple cabinet doors that should supply you with all of the wood necessary for your new center console, but your wife will actually Thank you for being so kind and considerate for updating her kitchen for her!



Of course, if you are concerned about keeping weight down to insure maximun performance and speed then the balsa wood would be a great way to go.

[kiwighia68]

[KGCoupe]

[kiwighia68]

I've cut out the sides of my proposed centre console from my Texon board. As a matter of interest, that board is available in the US in different thicknesses and therefore differing torsional strengths. Good material to work with - and I've made a boot liner from it for the front luggage compartment of my Ghia. (As well as a set of door cards for a friend.)

The top template is for the left on my RHD Ghia and the lower one for the driver's side. There is a small, squarish cut-out where I've prepared a flap to accommodate the fuse box.

Here's an example of a centre console borrowed from the Samba archives. Having seen that, I may adapt my prototype a little.

Different strokes for different folks. My initial plan is simply to prepare the "box" without allowing for gauges and radio and such. I would love to have a full set of gauges from Tim Tracy.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

[kiwighia68]

I remember only 3 things from 1st Grade. My dog followed me to school one day and I was called to the principal's office. A boy walked in front of a swing and suffered a deep gash with lots of blood to the forehead. And I was most disappointed when the teacher gave me clay to experiment with while the kids in the next row were given a plastic spider to take apart and put together again. I just love puzzles and putting things together, hence this experiment.

Next step was to make a template for the front inner support of the console. From cardboard to polystyrene with a balsa wood support. (Don't worry, that cheap plastic tray will go, and not a moment too soon.

I was listening to R.E.M while working in the garage and it reminded me that good music might be appreciated, even in a noisy Ghia.

That's enough play for today. Front part of the console tomorrow.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

[kiwighia68]

After a lot of fitting, refitting and changing plans I have settled, more or less, on the shape of the sides.

It's very quiet here in NZ, with, so it appears, the Covid-19 virus in retreat. Only 29 new cases yesterday, and still only 1 death out of 1300 cases.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

[61karmann]

really nice ghia! great look for sure, I love the RHD too. New Zealand is a favorite spot of mine, I was hoping to see more vw's at the museum in Invercargill..
_________________
www.tonydegrazia.com
www.analogtattoo.com