New Member 71 Karmann Ghia

[FunKar 71]

Happy New Year. I am looking forward to joining this form to kelp me finish the restoration of a 71 Karmann Ghia.

This car has been in storage for over 20 years and the pictures are how I first saw it at my brothers shop. I am not sure of all the details but do know he bought it from the son of his best friend who is deceased.

You can see they started putting in a wiring harness but didn't finish. The wiring harness is for a 72 and this car is a 71...will this be a problem? Where do I start!

I plan to vacuum the mouse dropping and wipe the car clean to get to know it better. I have both the Hannes and Chilton VW manuals. The instructions for the wiring harness are with the car.

I am from Kitchener Ontario Canada and if anyone knows any Ontario/Canadian vendors for parts etc that would be appreciated

.

Both front and rear lids cables are broken and this might be a good place to start. Any advice?

[SandHamwich]

Welcome! Looks like a great start for a nice project. The front hood can be opened by reaching your arm up through the horn boot opening and manipulating the latch. The rear might be a little more difficult if the engine tin is in place.

[kiwighia68]

[FunKar 71]

Thanks for the welcome.

I will give the front hood a try. I note the latch is in the glove box and doesn't work. Can I get to the wire if I remove the glove box.

The engine is out and I have a rag over the bottom catch so I can always open the rear lid. I was looking to buy and replace the cable and will try to source one or look into other solutions. suggestions?

[Braukuche]

[Marcdeb]

Welcome to the Samba. You'll get lots of help here. Make sure to check out the "Stickies" section of the Ghia Forum. There's lots of great threads there including some other 71 restorations. The Bentley orange repair manual is a must. Here's a link:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2539415
You can find them in the Samba classified or on Ebay as well as other online book sellers. As to the engine deck lid Latch, many Ghias, mine included, have them removed. The lid stays down just fine and you avoid the risk of getting locked out. Putting slots in the bolts as previously mentioned is also a smart idea.

CIP1 Is another VW parts supplier and they have a Canadian devision.
https://www2.cip1.com/#
Looking forward to seeing more pictures.
_________________
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

[NoDents]

A Canadian supplier for parts is www.cip1.com in Vancouver.

I got the bulk of the parts for my 71 Ghia Vert from there.

And don't forget to use the 1972 Ghia Parts Catalog available here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1972_...201972.pdf
_________________
No Dents

1963 Bug - Sold in 1980
1966 Karmann Ghia Convertible - Stolen in 1988
1971 Karmann Ghia Convertible, resto/mod COMPLETED 10/2020

[Braukuche]

CIP stocks mostly WCM products which from my experience are lower in quality.
_________________
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

[gorbur]

Concept1 in Calgary has been great. I know they do Canada wide shipping.
Looks like your well past needing body tin but if you do the Jopex brand they carry fits well. Good selection of Ghia specific parts too.
_________________
73 - Ghia Cabriolet, currently under resto
76 - Type1, 1776, full restomod

[rbsurfguy]

Welcome to the Forum, good to see another 71 convertible! As mentioned previously, lots of help here and topics of discussion that should help you with your build. Use the search tab at the top of the home page and type in keywords to find plenty of topics to read.

Keep us updated on your build and post pics as you progress or have questions!
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=

[ghiamanjc]

FunCar - Welcome to the fun world of KGs. I upvote all the previous posts.

One more suggestion - join the Canadian KG group on Fbook if you have any questions that demand a Canadian accent. There is a sub-group on there of KG owners in Ontario (I'm in Vancouver where we have about 80 x KGs).

DM me anytime. [email protected]
_________________
Join the 74 KGhia Registry - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O4MQepBrAnwCKn9EXzSVPUmVA_oUOJU-WrmFUxON-qQ/edit#gid=0

[Steelz21]

Welcome to the show.
Www.cip1.ca have been great to deal with and free Canadian shipping on orders over $100 (not hard to get there).

I have a 71 convertible too, so if you ever need to see one complete for reference just let me know. I am just outside of Ancaster. I can do detailed pictures for you too if you need them.

Andy.

[kingkarmann]

Welcome to the sickness
A few other places I like to check out.

https://vwnos.com/
https://www.bugcity.com/
https://aircooledartifacts.com/

None of the above vendors are Ghia specific but you can find some very nice quality parts.
_________________
"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”

Mike Gerson

What is your "Bespoke Reality"?

[FunKar 71]

I haven't had much time to work on the Ghia but did mange to open the trunk through the horn hole. I removed most of the rubber boot and was able to squeeze my arm up and locate the catch wire and pull it to the left. Here is what I found.

[FunKar 71]

I plan to short through the rest of the parts that came with the car and compiling a list of parts I will need to get it back on the road.

I believe that the former person who was restoring this car over 25 years ago and had a plan. I can see he was installing a new wiring harness and need to figure out where he left off.

Does anyone on this form have experience with rewiring a 71 Ghia and can mentor me through the process. You need to understand that I have limited mechanical experience but look at this as a great hobby for a 72 year old geezer!

[kingkarmann]

Nice parts stash!
If you broke into the boot you can rewire the car.
I wired my 67 coupe with a wiring diagram and some instruction from the Samba collective.
I have (had) little skill in that department.
Slow and steady. Ask questions her. We can help. Just ask Trylon😎
_________________
"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”

Mike Gerson

What is your "Bespoke Reality"?

[crocteau]

[FunKar 71]

Thank you for your advice . The VIN# 1412099696 is in my original post and when I looked it up it says for a 71 Ghia. I noted the package for the wiring indicated it was for a 72-73 Ghia . One of the members recommended getting the right wiring harness due to the difference mainly in the taillights. I looked at the way the taillights are wired and everything looks good with no extra wires and no splices.

I can't conceiver the original restorer would purchase the wrong wiring harness! Could the lower frame which has the serial # be a 71 with the body being a 72?

I really need to spend more time on this website to learn more about these cars. Unfortunately the car is a bit of a drive to get to and there is no WIFI..

[crocteau]

[Era Vulgaris]