New member

[Ghiavert72]

We are taking the plunge, my wife had a convertible Ghia in the 80's and wants another. Aquiring someone else project this weekend (74 convertible). Wish me luck, the best part about her wanting this car is maybe she will stop complaining about my non-running jeep collection.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.

[Glenn]

Luck.

Rust repair is a killer.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[John Moxon]

[Marcdeb]

Welcome to TheSamba Ghia forum. You won't find a better place for helpful support. Can't wait to see pictures of your 74 Ghia.
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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

[Ghiavert72]

We elected to pass on the restoration project as I already have 2 jeeps and a pickup in progress and she wants a driver. Pursuing the red 73 vert listed in the classifieds from Beverly Hills Car Club. Have an inspection scheduled for Monday and yes I saw the crap repair on the pans but that can be fixed. We could not see and end in sight for the projec car as paint jobs were above budget and the lead time too long.

Any feedback on dealer and vehicle is appreciated, I saw mixed reviews on Google.

[Era Vulgaris]

BHCC is hit and miss. They actually do have good cars in their inventory occasionally, but they also sell alot of crap. And their prices are really high. Inspections in person are mandatory with whatever they're selling.

Post the listing. We're more than happy to tear the car apart here in the forum and tell you everything that's wrong with it
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[Era Vulgaris]

This car?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2555741

I guarantee you those rockers are rusty and full of bondo. There should be two panel seams in the rockers under each door, as well as a small circle in the rocker in front of the rear wheels, which is the cover for the rear torsion bar access. The rocker panel seams and torsion covers are missing on both sides of the car, and that only happens when they get slathered with bondo, usually because they're rusty.
Properly repairing this requires welding in new metal, and that will also require paint, which it sounds like you don't want to do. The rockers are crucial to the structural integrity of the convertibles.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[Braukuche]

Turd venders.
They have a horrible rep in the Porsche world. They are flippers. I’d stick to buying someaning off the Samba from an individual.
_________________
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

[Glenn]

[Marcdeb]

I can't comment on the dealer, but the pictures of that car just don't look good. It doesn't take an in person inspection to see that something is just not right with the body. Take your time and be patient. Nice cars at reasonable prices do come around. But I really think this car has lots of hidden problems.
_________________
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

[Ghiavert72]

That's the listing. Thank you for the feedback, the car came out of PA. The points about the torsion bar access hole and seams being gone missed me completely.

MY step dad had a 73 or 74. He called it the pumpkin because it was orange and I remember the torsion bar openings were plugged with a black plug that I assume was rubber. He married my mom late in life so I never rode in the car, but I remember the black plugs. Both he and the car are gone now.

[John Moxon]

[Ghiavert72]

We hired Malcom Buckeridge to do a pre-purchase inspection that I will participate in via FaceTime. It's already paid for so I will see what he finds.

I ws a little leery about using an inspector that was recommended by the dealer but have limited resources in the area. I know the pan repairs are not the best but we can have that addressed if we decide to go through with the purchase. I have not committed anything except paying Malcom for his inspection.

Will keep you up to date on his report, according to the BHCC mechanics the only thing wrong is the license plate light doesn't work and the engine cover doesn't latch. Can anyone say bent body panels and use it in a sentence? I saw a lot of interior mods, shifter, window cranks, pedals and door panels that aren't stock but she wants a good looking driver, not a show car that lives in the garage and only gets driven to car shows.

[Braukuche]

This one looks pretty good in the few pix he posted, might be worth pursuing.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2519548
_________________
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

[Ghiavert72]

[PeteSC]

Here's a presentable orange '71, that so far is at a fair price (auction closes in 40 minutes).

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-volkswagen-karmann-ghia-27/

Personally I'd forgo buying someone else's project. Welding and paint is going to cost a good bit, and so will reassmebly, unless you're planning to do that yourself, then it'll just cost you lots of free time.

Buy the nicest car you can afford.

[Marcdeb]

As to the engine lid not latching, that is a very common thing with Karmann Ghias and doesn't mean anything. It's to prevent an accidental "lock out" situation. It happened to me and trust me, you don't want to be in that situation. Once you get a Ghia, you'll find several threads here with some different ideas on fail safe ways to prevent that from happening. The easiest of which is to just simply remove the pin on the lid so it can't lock. The lid stays down all by itself without having to be latched, but there are better options.
_________________
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

[Braukuche]

[Braukuche]

Another possibility. Desirable year, looks sort of half asses but without lots of pictures it’s hard to tell the level of the work.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2531262
_________________
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

[Era Vulgaris]