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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4983
Location: Connecticut
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 Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2025 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Ha! Turn my back and the hoi poli take over the thread.
Our car thanks you for your kind comments!
Now where were we when we left off…?
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4656
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| EverettB wrote: |
| John Moxon wrote: |
| Marcdeb wrote: |
| Congratulations. Wow, I really like this photo. The lighting really works with the color and the angle really captures how beautiful the Karmann Ghia nose is. This is perfect for framing. |
Yep, it's a beautiful car and that beautiful Lowlight nose is what seduced me 30 years ago.  |
We should do a poll to see how many Ghia owners have nasophilia |
Snooty ? |
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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14258
Location: Southampton U.K.
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EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71895
Location: Phoenix 602
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
| Marcdeb wrote: |
| Congratulations. Wow, I really like this photo. The lighting really works with the color and the angle really captures how beautiful the Karmann Ghia nose is. This is perfect for framing. |
Yep, it's a beautiful car and that beautiful Lowlight nose is what seduced me 30 years ago. |
We should do a poll to see how many Ghia owners have nasophilia
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4656
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 9:59 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Great portrait 
In the words of the late great Gene Autry,
"I'm back in the saddle again..." Doo bee doo bee doo  |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14258
Location: Southampton U.K.
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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3267
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Congratulations. Wow, I really like this photo. The lighting really works with the color and the angle really captures how beautiful the Karmann Ghia nose is. This is perfect for framing.
_________________
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 |
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obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11778
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4983
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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On the road again!
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4656
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2025 7:38 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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And all before the snow flies!
Bravo  |
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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3267
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2025 7:09 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| Trylon wrote: |
Man, seems like I am becoming a full time mechanic!
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But it's usually fun, isn't it? Except sometimes when we have to fix what we just recently fixed. Looking forward to hearing about the 59 Ghia getting back on the road.
_________________
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 |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4983
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2025 6:21 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Man, seems like I am becoming a full time mechanic!
Did the rear brakes on my Fiat 500 — first time I ever dealt with disc brakes pads and rotors. They were down to the metal though I did not hear a peep out of them. That car is around 10 years old now! Would you believe that it failed to start in some mall parking lot?! I did not expect to have three classic cars to tend to. Well, the cable end on the battery terminal seems to have been made of tin foil. It cracked and the battery was no longer being properly charged. Installed a new cable end and battery. It starts now.
The 914 fix I did unfixed itself. I had replaced the part of the ignition switch the key turns (that in turn engages the switch) as it required too much pressure turning the key. It worked for a while but now no matter what I do with the key it will not start. And, as usual, fussing with the wiring has given me intermittent problems with the horn (which I had so carefully restored) and the wipers (which were working just fine). I know, all that wiring needs careful attention.
Meanwhile, we had left our car in a state of major surgery. With the help of ChatGPT and a newly found car buddy with decades of VW experience, I am happy to say that I think I fixed our transaxle woes and it and the engine are now back in the car! Will hook up the engine this week and see what I have wrought.
I think I am officially becoming a ‘car guy’ after all.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4983
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Well, had a little hiatus while I dealt with a CV joint in the 914 that came unbolted…
So, I am back to trying to get things back together and into our car. The next challenge seems to be that the rear wheel bearings do not fit tightly into their housings on their respective axle tubes. I can turn them freely in each housing by hand. It seems that the likely reason is that the housings have expanded overtime. Thought there was a bearing made for this problem that with an oversized outer race that will stay put in the old housing. I can’t find ‘em— am I missing something?
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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fedwards58KGLL
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2021
Posts: 60
Location: santiago, chile
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| Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 8:36 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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trylon,
I had to swap my original transmission of my 58 LL.
I went for a 1997 1.6 engine and transmission, had to build this piece as adapter and works fine.
maybe it helps.
BTW, what a beautiful house you've got... |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4983
Location: Connecticut
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4656
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2025 6:34 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Very cool
I think you could have taken them on the outside!
I had an opportunity to take a couple of laps around the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course with Sophia. Thirteen years ago 
Great memories.
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4983
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 9:53 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Now for something completely different!
Link
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Loren
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1896
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| There are few NOS mounts for various years for sale in the classifieds. This might be the better options than the new ones? |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11230
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 7:54 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Your car would have came with a split case trans and was converted to the later tunnel trans. You need the same style mount that was on the car (not a split case).
The new mounts suck. The rubber splits in weeks in some cases. I take my old mount, drill a hole through them and run a 10mm acros the flats bolt and nut through them. Never have a problem after that.
Other guys have started running mid mounts because the problem is so ubiquitous.
_________________
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 |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4656
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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The mounts look nearly the same as far as the studs and holes in the bracket goes.
The overall shape of the new bracket looks larger than the original.
I would think the new one could be used.
Maybe mount each bracket to the frame and take measurements to compare the overall depth of each. |
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