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sclemens
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2020
Posts: 8
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 6:35 pm Post subject: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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Happy Sunday All.
I have a dilema in restoring my 1965 Karmann Ghia. So I bought the car fairly stripped down and I have been locating and trying to get the correct parts this VW. One issue that has me paused is the Ignition switch. I believe that orignally this car was installed with a Sperrwolf locking shifter & Ignition which I am finding are very unique and rare. At the moment, there is no hole on the dash for a ignitions switch nor was there one ever.
Here is my dilema, do I drill a new hole in the dash to accomidate a stock ignition switch? Anoter thought, (if even possible) is to see if anyone has ever tried convering the original KG steering column and shaft to a Beetle locking steering column and shaft. I cannot find anything on the Samba on if this was attempted or possible. This way, the dash stays original and I have a more secure car which can be chaged back down the road if I find a working Sperrwolf locking shifter & Ignition.
I welcome some suggestions to get me off the stick and moving forward.
This was what I was thinking as a possible solutions since it is a convertable. Not sure how adaptable this would be in a Karmann Ghia.
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3916
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 2936
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 2:29 am Post subject: Re: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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Hi! Nice color on your 65. I have a 65 too. Not yet worked on - on the body front.
I'd recommend that you not cut a hole for an ignition switch. The dash ignition switches used on our KGs are not reproduced and are not the same as the Beetle switch - though most vendors claim they are. The bracket/stand in the beetle switch is shorter and offset while the KG switch requires a taller one that is centred. Once you cut a hole, it will be a pain to close it up later. The correct ignitions when available are $$.
Go with the column one (I'm not familiar with it) and then if you find the right gear shift lock ignition, you can install that instead.
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1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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Ojai63dbl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 452
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Ojai63dbl
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 452
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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| of course I suppose you could mount an ignition switch in glove compartment for temporary cure. The gear ignition switch was found in europe on verts. |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9651
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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| Since we're tossing ideas around, how about installing the column, ignition switch hub, blinker stalk, and steering shaft from a '68 or '69 Beetle? Paint the whole assembly ivory to match the original color of the one in your '65. Benefit is that the column "should" use the same 2 mounting holes under the dash, they are plentiful, try to find one with its original key; and you can bolt on your '65 steering wheel directly... The bottom of the shaft has the webbed collapsible portion but it still bolts to your steering box the same way as your '65. You now have a new wiring harness for the ignition switch that you need to bring thru the underside of the dash though, but drilling a hole down there is out of direct sight. |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24757
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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| Rome wrote: |
| Since we're tossing ideas around, how about installing the column, ignition switch hub, blinker stalk, and steering shaft from a '68 or '69 Beetle? Benefit is that the column "should" use the same 2 mounting holes under the dash, they are plentiful, try to find one with its original key; and you can bolt on your '65 steering wheel directly... |
Dealing with a friends 1967 baja with 1970 steering column. Mounting holes for the ignition end of the column do not match. Holes were drilled thru the body to mount it.
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In Stereo, Where Available! |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9651
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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| OK, thanks for clarifying, E&B. Makes sense to have wider spacing on the '68+ column, for increased stability due to the locking column design (may need to turn wheel slightly against the lock spring pressure) as well as being part of the break-away design together with the front collapsible web segment. |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24757
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Guidance on a ignition switch |
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No problem. Still the collapsible steering shaft is a good idea for added safety. Does require some denting of the underside of the pre-1968 fuel tanks, but can be done.
Got to see the wreck of a nice late 1950s KG driven by the original owner around 1995. With stock shaft the steering wheel shoved into the interior, and the owner ended up having a breast surgically removed due to the damage. Think if she had been wearing a three point seat belt she probably would not have been so seriously injured, but even without three point having a not so solid steering shaft would have greatly helped lessen the damage to her body.
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