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Ian Godfrey Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 1137 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 2:52 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Marc, i had a lot of trouble with mine as well. The steps i took were:
fitted the bumper without the deco covers, got it level, got the slots right in the bumper irons so the the gaps between the bumper and body were even.
I then marked the bumper irons with masking tape to show how they lined up at the body opening.
Then I took the irons off the bumpers, fitted them up with the deco covers and linished the deco covers to match the body contours.
then finally fitted the whole thing together. I had to further tweak the tubes that support the overriders to now fit with the covers and irons.
Pain in the arse but really satisfying when it all fits.
here are a couple of photos, I'm sorry they are not very closeup
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Braukuche Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 11005
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 7:33 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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I went through this with my 70. I had all my originals but one front which I bought new from Airhead. The Airhead one was identical to my other front one so I don’t think there is any difference other that the holes for the overriders tubes on the fronts.
I still ended up with gaps which the rubber mostly filled. In the more problematic rear I fitted the brackets and then the covers and then mounted the bumper itself. _________________ Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now |
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Trylon Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019 Posts: 4853 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 8:44 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Ah, I see the impetus behind your comment about things being put on multiple times! _________________ 1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 11:05 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Ian Godfrey wrote: |
Marc, i had a lot of trouble with mine as well. The steps i took were:
fitted the bumper without the deco covers, got it level, got the slots right in the bumper irons so the the gaps between the bumper and body were even.
I then marked the bumper irons with masking tape to show how they lined up at the body opening.
Then I took the irons off the bumpers, fitted them up with the deco covers and linished the deco covers to match the body contours.
then finally fitted the whole thing together. I had to further tweak the tubes that support the overriders to now fit with the covers and irons.
Pain in the arse but really satisfying when it all fits.
here are a couple of photos, I'm sorry they are not very closeup
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Thank you Ian for taking the time to write up such detailed information. Sounds like a plan. Just to be clear, what you call "irons" is
what I think I call the black thick steel "bumper brackets" right? _________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 11:10 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Braukuche wrote: |
I went through this with my 70. I had all my originals but one front which I bought new from Airhead. The Airhead one was identical to my other front one so I don’t think there is any difference other that the holes for the overriders tubes on the fronts.
I still ended up with gaps which the rubber mostly filled. In the more problematic rear I fitted the brackets and then the covers and then mounted the bumper itself. |
Thank you Braukuche. This is very helpful. I should have known better than to think it would simply line up perfectly!! What was I thinking!!
_________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 11:15 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Trylon wrote: |
Ah, I see the impetus behind your comment about things being put on multiple times! |
Yes sir. This bumper installation just might have been on my mind at that time!
With a little luck,I might have bumpers back on by 4th of July at this rate. Work is busier than ever which is good for the
budget but hard to find time to spend on the car. _________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Ian Godfrey Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 1137 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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yes, bumper 'irons' are the black brackets. Old fashioned term |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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One step forward, one step back! We all know how that is. Not much to update but things are progressing, even if it is slow. I had asperations of having lots of time to work on the car once the weather warmed up!! Not so much. There's also the lost time waiting for parts to arrive. Anyway, those are my excuses!
I'm still trying to get the bumpers squared away. I gave up trying to put the original style bracket seals on. What a pain, I coulnd't get them to stay on long enough to put the bumper in place. I'm sure the originals were better than these reproductions. I tried some door edge guard material which I thought was perfect. Looked really good however it wasn't soft enough and I didn't like the idea of having something too hard against the paint. Then I found a U Channel rubber seal on Walmart.com. It's perfect.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Universal-U-Channel-Rub.../837210655
It's 5mm high and 2.5mm wide. The channel is 1mm wide. It comes as a 10 foot length which is enough to probably do 3 or 4 cars. It's very soft so it will not damage the paint and it's not overly thick to where it would prevent the bumper from moving all the way forward. Best of all, it stays on without any glue and is able to completely hold it's shape on the turns. Great stuff and it looks awesome.
I now have a pair of Hella 70/71 Tail Lens that are as good as any NOS out there. I found one locally here in Vermont and the other just came from an ad on TheSamba. Both are in new condition. I have a pair of reproductions on the car now and they look great as well. The Hellas are so nice I don't know if I want to put them on the car??
_________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Trylon Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019 Posts: 4853 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Should’ve waited for you to put on the seals so I could find out a easier way!
Love you’re taillight jewelry— Wolfsburg might be interested in them. _________________ 1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Trylon wrote: |
Should’ve waited for you to put on the seals so I could find out a easier way!
Love you’re taillight jewelry— Wolfsburg might be interested in them. |
They are pretty aren't they? Too pretty to put on the car I think.
I can't imagine why those bracket cover seals are designed the way they are? I'm sure the factory had an easy process for installing them. _________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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obus Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001 Posts: 11071 Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8211 Location: San Dimas
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TRS63 Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017 Posts: 1000 Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Ian Godfrey wrote: |
my car was a 'bitzer'. I ended up sanding the covers on the belt sander until they conformed with the body better, then gluing the little seal on with super glue to keep it in place.
I got the bumper fitted up nicely, then took it out again, added the covers with their seals and refitted it. Very time consuming |
I have not gotten back to the rear bumper yet. Been mostly concentrating on the front. Had the same issues with the front bumper though: the bracket covers just do not conform to the body. I remembered this post from you Ian and as much as I hate to start modifying parts, I finally threw in the towel. I repeatedly installed the front bumper checking for high spots. Remove, trim, reinstall, and do again until they fit properly. So glad you posted your comment. And yes very time consuming but I think it was the only way to get it right. Touched up the paint on the bracket covers and hope to get some pictures up early next week. _________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Ian Godfrey Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 1137 Location: Melbourne Australia
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:28 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Marc, thank you for the kind words, yes it is a pain, but it does get a good result in the end. It would never surprise me if these covers were trimmed a bit in the factory to get then to fit properly. I am glad you were happy with your final result.
looking forward to a picture. |
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rbsurfguy Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008 Posts: 1757 Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:35 am Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Marc, I received my rubber trim for the bumper covers yesterday. Did a little pre-fit, and the trim went right on and stayed in place. Thanks for finding that stuff. Like you and Ian, I think I will do a little trimming as well on the edges. On the front I have one that fits real tight and one that barely touches, good idea.
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= |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3036 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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Seems like I have numerous projects started but not finished. I had the new tires mounted and balanced on these old chromes. I can't be sure how old they are but I was told by the PO that they are about the same age as the car. Two of them had minor surface rust from pitting here and there. They were not bad, but the other two looked much worse. I spent 4 hours scrubbing with "Bar Keepers Friend" cleanser which has Oxalic Acid, along with some scraping in the worst areas but the end result was amazing. This must be some very good quality chrome to still look this good after all these years.
Then I had to scrub the white walls with Simple Green to remove the black sealant that was splattered all over the white walls during the mounting of the tires. This was just sloppy work and I won't be giving this garage any more business.
BEFORE
AFTER
_________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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rbsurfguy Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008 Posts: 1757 Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: O Ghia's Restoration Journey |
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That's some awesome detailing Marc, can't wait to see them on the Ghia.
I have used Bar Keepers Friend for years, best cleaner out there. Using that and one of the Mr Clean cleansing sponges get's rid of a lot of crud!!!
Try getting a good Ceramic Sealer like F11 or Torque Detail Ceramic Shine. Used correctly, this stuff should keep the wheel chrome protected for a while...just something to consider, read up on it or check you tube.
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= |
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obus Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001 Posts: 11071 Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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