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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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 Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:14 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Oh yeah, one thing I forgot to mention from back in Dec 2020...I learned an interesting thing about the first couple of months of 66 Ghia production, which it seems that from VIN 146 000 000 to VIN 146 276 509 the cars were delivered without a Volkswagen decklid badge. 1966 was the first year for the later "line through" Volkswagen emblem, and I guess the thought is that the new emblems hadn't arrived by the time production began, so the cars were shipped out without them.
My car, being in that range, has no signs that a Volkswagen emblem was ever on the decklid. More in this thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746841&highlight=
_________________
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 |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11229
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| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:51 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Liking this build, got me thinking about that rack and pinion set up.
_________________
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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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Braukuche wrote: |
| Liking this build, got me thinking about that rack and pinion set up. |
Thanks, I'm very much looking forward to trying it out. I'll definitely share my thoughts on it once I get some miles with it. I'm hoping to be driving by the spring. But I don't know if that's optimistic given all the reassembly ahead of me.
_________________
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 |
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Ian Godfrey
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2006
Posts: 1209
Location: Melbourne Australia
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| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Great to see your car, a very thoughtful restoration and great modifications to add joy and safety to the 'old' platform. your panel guys did great work, they are the hardest trade to find good help. |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Ian Godfrey wrote: |
| Great to see your car, a very thoughtful restoration and great modifications to add joy and safety to the 'old' platform. your panel guys did great work, they are the hardest trade to find good help. |
Thanks, yeah I definitely feel lucky to have a place like that so close by that knows these cars so well. I can handle mechanical, electrical, and interior work, but that level of bodywork is beyond my current skill level, so I couldn't be doing this without them.
But yeah, the vision for the car now is basically an improved car in every aspect that I can while keeping it looking as stock as possible. Safer with the 4 wheel discs, dual circuit brakes, electric brake light switch, and I have a period 3rd brake light that'll be installed as well (honestly with the amount of work going into this car I already have nightmares of some idiot on his phone running into me). Better handling with a lowered stance and the R&P steering. Better performance with the custom geared trans and bigger engine.
But all the while looking totally stock to the casual Ghia observer. Obviously Ghia experts will know the difference though 
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Some cool stuff has arrived in the mail so far this week!
I scored the faceplate for $80 from a guy in Germany. It had a couple small dents that I tapped out with a small drift, and it looks almost good as new now 
I still need to pick up a mounting plate.
The radio didn't come with knobs. Are they all the same regardless of brand, or are there Ghia Blaupunkt-specific knobs? The ones I see for sale in the classifieds look like Beetle dash knobs.
_________________
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 |
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HBGhia
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2021
Posts: 47
Location: Westminster Ca.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Cool faceplate. I'm curious if you have the dash trim. I have the alum repro trim. I was looking to get a similar faceplate but I would have to cut the dash trim. Much like the dealers would have done to fit the faceplate. Did you plan to cut the dash trim? Also, I couldn't find a mounting plate so I ended up making one with a radio delete block off plate. Probably not OG but it works.
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Can't have everything.....where would you put it? |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10696
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Excellent job with documenting your Ghia revival, and keeping momentum with the actual work!
From your '64 Cabrio:
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| I have the VIN tag |
My '64's is 62656xx. Was yours close?
Good choice with the 4.12 transmission final drive ratio. I have that in my '64 which is on a '70 pan. Versatile for 75-80 mph hours-long highway drive, with sprints to 90+ mph. The current engine is a stock-internals 1600 dual-port with slightly ported stock-valve heads, Weber 40 IDFs, and a nicely fitting old Gene Berg Ghia 1 3/8" header with single quiet pack.
What are you doing for your front blinkers? Those square patches don't have the holes for the original bullet blinkers. Will they be added prior to paint?
Your badge-less engine lid: Long-time local Ghia friend Vince is the original owner of a '65 Ghia Cabrio. His factory-original lid also does not have the emblem, though his would still have been the smaller, "upright" style letters. No sign of any holes ever being in the lid to mount the emblems... |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11229
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Era Vulgaris wrote: |
Some cool stuff has arrived in the mail so far this week!
I scored the faceplate for $80 from a guy in Germany. It had a couple small dents that I tapped out with a small drift, and it looks almost good as new now
I still need to pick up a mounting plate.
The radio didn't come with knobs. Are they all the same regardless of brand, or are there Ghia Blaupunkt-specific knobs? The ones I see for sale in the classifieds look like Beetle dash knobs.
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My 62 Ghia German delivery came with a Blaupunkt multi band and it has the mushroom knobs.
_________________
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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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:41 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| HBGhia wrote: |
| Cool faceplate. I'm curious if you have the dash trim. I have the alum repro trim. I was looking to get a similar faceplate but I would have to cut the dash trim. Much like the dealers would have done to fit the faceplate. Did you plan to cut the dash trim? Also, I couldn't find a mounting plate so I ended up making one with a radio delete block off plate. Probably not OG but it works. |
I have most of the original trim. The only pieces I'm missing are the small piece between the radio and glove box, and the very small piece to the right of the glove box. I'm not holding out hope for finding either of those though.
I have a set of aluminum repro trim, which has pieces to do both a radio delete, as well as have a radio. So whichever route you take, there'll be an extra piece or two.
But if the pieces for the radio cutout don't leave enough space, I plan on contouring the radio faceplate like on this pigalle, and setting the faceplate over the trim (at least that's what it looks like in this photo). The faceplate is only slightly thicker than aluminum foil, and would be easy to cut into and shape with a dremel. I think that would be easier than trying to exactly cut the aluminum trim to size.
_________________
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
Last edited by Era Vulgaris on Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:59 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:49 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Rome wrote: |
Excellent job with documenting your Ghia revival, and keeping momentum with the actual work!
From your '64 Cabrio:
| Quote: |
| I have the VIN tag |
My '64's is 62656xx. Was yours close?
Good choice with the 4.12 transmission final drive ratio. I have that in my '64 which is on a '70 pan. Versatile for 75-80 mph hours-long highway drive, with sprints to 90+ mph. The current engine is a stock-internals 1600 dual-port with slightly ported stock-valve heads, Weber 40 IDFs, and a nicely fitting old Gene Berg Ghia 1 3/8" header with single quiet pack.
What are you doing for your front blinkers? Those square patches don't have the holes for the original bullet blinkers. Will they be added prior to paint?
Your badge-less engine lid: Long-time local Ghia friend Vince is the original owner of a '65 Ghia Cabrio. His factory-original lid also does not have the emblem, though his would still have been the smaller, "upright" style letters. No sign of any holes ever being in the lid to mount the emblems... |
The 64 donor car's VIN is 61316xx, so a little earlier. Original Ruby Red paint.
Good to know on the 4.12 trans. I figured that would be a good choice!
Yes, the blinker holes have already been cut. Haven't snapped a pic yet. I'm actually going up to the shop today for a final inspection before color starts being sprayed. I'll try and snap some pics.
That's interesting about your friend's 65. Was it US delivery? And is it a very late 65?
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:56 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Braukuche wrote: |
My 62 Ghia German delivery came with a Blaupunkt multi band and it has the mushroom knobs. |
Thanks, that's what I'm finding searching through pics as well. Seems those were only available in white, from what I can find.
But it looks like, based on this 66 from BAT, that white mushroom knobs were put on radios with black pushbuttons like mine...if this is original.
_________________
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 |
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csc23
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2016
Posts: 66
Location: nebraska
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1939
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Yeah I've seen those. They'll be last resort. $65 per knob is oooof 
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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csc23
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2016
Posts: 66
Location: nebraska
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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I assumed it was for the pair. Yep that’s crazy. I got a 66 coupe with a very similar radio except it has silver beige buttons. But like yours no knobs.
In the last 6 months I have seen two “non tested” radios with those knobs asking around 80$. They seem to go pretty quick in that price point.
Didn’t Jon Copello? Re-pop these? |
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 4143
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11229
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:09 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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John made knobs for wipers, headlights, not sure about radio?
They are pricey, but my take anymore is that if someone is making a unique part they usually don’t make them for long and when they are gone they are gone and I end up kicking myself in the ass for not buying it when it was available.
_________________
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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csc23
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2016
Posts: 66
Location: nebraska
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11229
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Much better price!
_________________
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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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10696
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Era Vulgaris wrote: |
| ...That's interesting about your friend's 65. Was it US delivery? And is it a very late 65? |
Era, his '65 was definitely a US dealer delivery. He traded in an early '60's Ghia Cabrio for it. I don't remember when in the model year that he told us it was built. |
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