The Idiot's Guide to Original Karmann Ghia Interiors

[mikrobi67]

[mikrobi67]

all original 1971

[

[mikrobi67]

pearl white 1964

[mikrobi67]

roulette green 1967

[mikrobi67]

all original
barnfind
1968
regatta blue

[sputnick60]

[mikrobi67]

this is a original Europe car..
from Germany

see here
https://www.vintagecarparts.de/artikel.php?session_id=&set_lang=2
https://www.vintagecarparts.de/artikel.php?set_sho...saltpepper


all photos, was i uploaded are from Europe....

[c21darrel]

[bruehoyt]

I saw the lever on the side in front of the door and wondered what it was. So I referenced the 1971 owners manual. I see that it is the control for the footwell heater. However my first car that I owned in 1985-1986, my third car I owned in 1987 to 1992, and a car I currently own are all 1971 ghias. None of them have this lever. They all had a lever on the vent at your foot. I also owned a 1970 karmann ghia. I can't remember for sure, but I believe it also had the lever at the foot. I am pretty sure my 1967 ghia also had from 1991 to 1997 the lever at the foot. I am getting senile, so I cannot swear to these"facts" other than the fact that I do not ever remember levers on the side and the car I currently have does not have levers on the side.

The car I bought 1987 was 100% stock in excellent condition when I bought it from the original owners widow.

Please explain

[mikrobi67]

another photo

[c21darrel]

[Lori_S]

New to VW and Samba, I recently came across a ‘68 coupe that caught my eye. I haven’t purchased it yet, but am hoping to make an offer on it soon. Body looks straight and rust free, but the interior is a disaster and needs to be completely redone. IMO this would be the bulk of what needs to be done. Not trying to build a show car- just a cool driver so nothing custom. Any ballpark guesses how much this might cost? Posting on this forum since it is focused on interiors. Sorry if it’s a misstep...

[Peter D.]

Top end materials from West Coast Classic restorations are over $3500 not including installation. Check out this link: http://www.classicvws.com/ghia-1_interior.htm

Sewfine https://sewfineproducts.com/ can also make a really nice interior. They might be $500 to $1000 less depending on the vinyl and options you choose.

You might also have to have your seat frames sanded and painted and or replace the rear wooden frames (yes the rear seats are made of wood!). You'll need new padding too. And unless you do the work yourself you'll be paying for installation.

Also, don't assume your Ghia is rust free! That's what I thought when I bought my Ghia. Famous last words.... pull back the carpet, look behind the mud guards, look underneath, do a thorough inspection so you know what you're getting yourself into.

Good luck!
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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[Lori_S]

Thanks for the info and resources. I’ll def check them out. My brother who owns a body shop and restored a ghia is going to check it out as well. Fingers crossed- I’m getting hooked on this car and I don’t even own it yet!! LOL!

[Peter D.]

I've switched up my project and I'm working on a '65 Ghia. I decided to paint it the original color, Manila Yellow with a black roof.

SMS sent me some fabric swatches but none are a perfect match to the original interior. They say the can make proper color if I send them a swatch.

Does anyone know a source for the slate square weave or have a swatch? A good place to look is on the underside of the back seat where it does not fade.

Here's a page of the brochure from the archives:

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2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress

[kingkarmann]

1967 Convertible.
All original "one year only" interior.
Yes, rubber mats were replaced with carpet.

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"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”

Mike Gerson

What is your "Bespoke Reality"?

[nize]

Just a thought as I am about to tackle this job soon...
Looking at the picture below posted earlier in this topic it seems like the rear interior panels went in before the carpet on the wheel wells and so on...
I would have thought they did it the other way around...

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----------(VW)----------
1954 Kombi
1957 lowlight ghia coupe
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[Trylon]

[Braukuche]

Trylon is right. With aftermarket carpets you will likely have to leave the edge unglued so you can bend the carpet edge back and seat the panels behind the carpet
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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

[Marfa61KG]

Did not see much on early 60s headliner materials. Here are two scraps pulled from 1961 and 1965 Ghias. Both untouched since 1981 or so. probably original. I have not been able to find any material like the 61 with larger holes on 4mm spacing.