| Author |
Message |
JackBone
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2017
Posts: 1
Location: Oregon
|
 Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
 |
|
| Clearly the Porsche has greater value...so great that I can't offer the comparative experience of driving one. However, I do have a modified 1969 Ghia Coupe, and a stock 1990 Miata, and I can do anything handling-wise in the Ghia that I can do in the Miata--which probably puts the Ghia ahead of a stock 356 in that department. (Yes, there are some suspension changes to stiffen the frame). Engine is 1776 cc /110 HP (very similar HP to the Miata, so the Ghia doesn't have a power advantage--I think the Miata is rated at 114?--and that helps allow the Ghia the ability to do what it does)...Finally, I tried to upload a photo to the gallery-- it would not work at this time, I will try again later--but in terms of appearance (thanks to a really nice paint job and wheels and bumper mods--no credit to me), and comparative values aside, I will take my Ghia any day of the week. But I totally respect and appreciate 356 Porsches and their history. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Bones 53
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 661
Location: Reno NV
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
| I've since sold the Ghia mentioned above. Mine was a 73 with IRS narrowed trailing arms 6 inch x 16 Fuchs, 1" narrowed and lowered beam etc. It handled great. I also replaced the heater channels with 2x3" .095 tube. I think it really did stiffen the car quite a bit. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
| Braukuche wrote: |
| Era Vulgaris wrote: |
| CiderGuy wrote: |
| Braukuche wrote: |
| 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes. |
Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that. |
356 is a proper unibody. It'll always be more rigid than a body-on-frame car. |
Exactly. 356 has a boxed frame with the body welded to it.. The beam is welded to the box frame it's all integral vs bolted on like a VW. I wonder if it would be possible to increase the ridgidity of the Ghia if one was to weld the pan to the body and the beam to the tunnel. |
Another points to be considered is that Porsche 356's side members are much more bigger and sturdy vis-a-vis the side members of a Karmann Ghia which much smaller in construction. That would have been redesigned a bit larger to add rigidity and integrity to the chassis IMO.
_________________
'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11204
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
| Era Vulgaris wrote: |
| CiderGuy wrote: |
| Braukuche wrote: |
| 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes. |
Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that. |
356 is a proper unibody. It'll always be more rigid than a body-on-frame car. |
Exactly. 356 has a boxed frame with the body welded to it.. The beam is welded to the box frame it's all integral vs bolted on like a VW. I wonder if it would be possible to increase the ridgidity of the Ghia if one was to weld the pan to the body and the beam to the tunnel.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
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
1989 Westfalia |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1922
Location: Raleigh, NC
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
| CiderGuy wrote: |
| Braukuche wrote: |
| 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes. |
Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that. |
356 is a proper unibody. It'll always be more rigid than a body-on-frame car.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
| Braukuche wrote: |
| 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes. |
Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that.
_________________
----------------------
Cars Currently Owned:
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)
Timing is everything |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11204
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
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
1989 Westfalia |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
Two days ago in Bucks county, Pa. I saw a 356 convertible. Cream colored, it was a pretty car. Any type of car like that is very rare around here.
_________________
----------------------
Cars Currently Owned:
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)
Timing is everything |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stanthedog
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2006
Posts: 358
Location: Portland,oregon.
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
The only truly quick and fast 356 I've ever seen had a t-1 motor in it.
That porsche snobbery even extends to the 914, porsche snobs really hate hate them. I have a KG vert and a 914 and get nothing from REAL PORSCHE owners. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
| Mellow Yellow 74 wrote: |
| Dong is picking up from his last post after 8 years - lol |
Dong is picking up from his last post after 8 years - lol[/quote] It may looked like that, but, not really. I was just reviewing the other day this thread and it so happened that there has been a great comparison between Karmann Ghias and 356 Porsches (and that is pretty obvious), and even if this thread will not pick up, it is perfectly fine. 
_________________
'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mellow Yellow 74
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 1615
Location: Sydney, Australia
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 2:25 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge |
|
|
Dong is picking up from his last post after 8 years - lol
_________________
1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 9:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Bones 53 wrote: |
| From a purist's standpoint the 356's are really cool and I think they are beautiful cars, especially the 356 SC and speedsters. I have a 73 ghia convert with 150 HP dynoed HP that will outperform a 356 in every aspect. I have a lot of money in it though but I built it. It's a blast to blow the 356's and a lot of 911's off the road. It really surprises them. There is a real cool factor with a ghia. Most people under 50 don't know WTF it is and most think it's a porsche. A while back I pulled along side a guy I know (big time lawyer) with a 60's XKE convertible all redone and a very nice car. (he paid a lot to have it built) We jumped on it together at 55 and I left him in the dust (nice having a Berg 5). First words out of his mouth, " You got a porsche engine in that VW?" I laughed really hard. He couldn't believe it was a VW and probably still doesn't, priceless! |
thats awesome. With the looks of a karmann ghia and the potential of a vw beefed up engine, you wont go wrong on a karmann ghia.
_________________
'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5225
Location: Richmond, VA
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
Its subjective but I think a Ghia is a far better looking car than a 356.
I never really cared for the styling of a 356.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Paul_Revere's Ghia wrote: |
There are some very interesting similarities between that and our beloved ghias! I like it! thanks for posting-
 |
You are welcome!
When I saw this car on the net, there are more questions than answers that flooded by mind! It's pretty odd to see it! Though there are similarities with our KG! If someone amongst you there has some working knowledge on this beauty, please share it to us!
Do you think guys, this one deserves its own thread?
Thanks!
_________________
'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bones 53
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 661
Location: Reno NV
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| From a purist's standpoint the 356's are really cool and I think they are beautiful cars, especially the 356 SC and speedsters. I have a 73 ghia convert with 150 HP dynoed HP that will outperform a 356 in every aspect. I have a lot of money in it though but I built it. It's a blast to blow the 356's and a lot of 911's off the road. It really surprises them. There is a real cool factor with a ghia. Most people under 50 don't know WTF it is and most think it's a porsche. A while back I pulled along side a guy I know (big time lawyer) with a 60's XKE convertible all redone and a very nice car. (he paid a lot to have it built) We jumped on it together at 55 and I left him in the dust (nice having a Berg 5). First words out of his mouth, " You got a porsche engine in that VW?" I laughed really hard. He couldn't believe it was a VW and probably still doesn't, priceless! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bleyseng
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 4759
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Got a chance to compare this beauty to my 70 Ghia's ride last month. The 56 show winner is way more comfortable to ride, has good pep, steering is like a 56 era car. Sharp cornering is tire squeeling, with lots of body roll since is all stock.
My Ghia is smoother and more nimble the I would love to achive the level of finish in it like the Porsche...some day..
The best car as a drivers car is the 914. A restored or low mile one with some engine upgrades makes it a nice machine to drive. Add some HD Tbars, and shocks plus excellent tires and its a go kart with amazing handling and driving feel.
Fit and finish is not the greatest on a 914 so most restored cars are better than new.
_________________
70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles
Last edited by Bleyseng on Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Paul_Revere's Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2007
Posts: 973
Location: South Wales, UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5476
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
