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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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 Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:40 pm Post subject: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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Hello All,
I have a 67 convertible Ghia that needs a total restoration. I've done a lot of work on the pan and suspension but the next stage is body work. This is my first convertible and to me it doesn't look like the top frame is lining up correctly so I'd like to find a local shop that can take a look before I sandblast and powdercoat. Can anyone recommend a shop in Orange County?
Thanks,
Jason
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55 ragtop bug
67 Ghia vert
85 911
18 GTI
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aa390392
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2007
Posts: 3602
Location: So.Cal
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| Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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Lenny Coop? In Fullerton.
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getting grumpy & less tolerant!
55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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| Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 11:24 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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Thanks for that. Any others?
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85 911
18 GTI
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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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How can I tell if I have an early or late 67? I think I read that an early 67 used a rear bow and the late used a cable. If that's the case I think I have an early because it looks like there is mounting holes for a rear bow.
Thank you,
Jason
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55 ragtop bug
67 Ghia vert
85 911
18 GTI
Some beat up British bikes |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11004
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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| aa390392 wrote: |
| Lenny Coop? In Fullerton. |
He sold the business.
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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 |
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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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Thanks for that Braukuche, it didn't help with my question but that is good to know.
Do you know if the shop is still specializing in VW's?
Regards,
Jason
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67 Ghia vert
85 911
18 GTI
Some beat up British bikes |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11004
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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| 55rag wrote: |
Thanks for that Braukuche, it didn't help with my question but that is good to know.
Do you know if the shop is still specializing in VW's?
Regards,
Jason |
No, sorry.
_________________
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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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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| 55rag wrote: |
| How can I tell if I have an early or late 67? I think I read that an early 67 used a rear bow and the late used a cable. |
This is correct. Based on the sheetmetal surrounding the rear seat, it looks like your car's an early '67. In place of the later car's cable setup, the early ones use a wooden tack strip that's fastened around the opening and the back edge of the top is then stapled to it. These tack strips are also available in plastic, but wood might be the better choice. It's said that wood holds staples much better than plastic.
You can see the partially-installed wooden tack strip here in my early '67 ↓
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'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
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obus 
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Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11069
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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Thanks Rcooled for the confirmation and the pic.
I'm shocked that classic vw was sold and is now out of state. Why would an out of state shop buy the name? Anyway I sold a notch to Lenny decades ago and without going into detail I wouldn't spend my money there anyway.
I was looking for any other shop in Orange County that knows ghia tops.
Thanks,
Jason
_________________
55 ragtop bug
67 Ghia vert
85 911
18 GTI
Some beat up British bikes |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11004
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:44 am Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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| 55rag wrote: |
Thanks Rcooled for the confirmation and the pic.
I'm shocked that classic vw was sold and is now out of state. Why would an out of state shop buy the name? Anyway I sold a notch to Lenny decades ago and without going into detail I wouldn't spend my money there anyway.
I was looking for any other shop in Orange County that knows ghia tops.
Thanks,
Jason |
Convertible Specialties used to be there but they are gone too, so I doubt very much there is a single shop in So Ca, that specializes in Ghia tops. The best you can do is find a shop that does classic cars. In San Diego there is OB Upholstery, I know they’ve done a lot of Beetles in the past and likely Ghias. A lot of classic car guys use them for interiors. They might be worth a try if yiu are willing to haul it down.
_________________
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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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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Thanks Braukuche, I will check them out. Truthfully I am a long way from interior and getting the top done but I wanted to have a shop look at the frame to make sure it was sitting correctly. I have no experience with convertibles but it looks like the top isn't closing far enough. I don't have a header but the frame is a few inches from the windshield.
Everyone is so knowledgeable on this forum I should get a couple pics on hear and I'm sure I could get my answer.
Thanks again Braukuche
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55 ragtop bug
67 Ghia vert
85 911
18 GTI
Some beat up British bikes |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:40 am Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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I have a 67 convertible.
The top was done about 10-11 years ago by
South Bay Auto Upholstery
619 Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach Ca. 90254
310-372-1200
The top is beautifully done.
The Ghia is now in Ohio.
Not sure where this shop is in relationship to you.
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55rag
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004
Posts: 256
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Orange County Ghia convertible expert |
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that is a nice looking car. It looks like South Bay is closed. I do have a few leads to follow of shops in Orange County. I'll check into those and report back.
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67 Ghia vert
85 911
18 GTI
Some beat up British bikes |
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