Wind Lacing?

[willow204]

Hi I've just got a new carpet kit for my 1960 Ghia. the carpet is not very neat near where the door hinges are and I've been told I need wind lacing or something!
Does anyone know what this is or can someone send me a pic? [email protected]
It's hard to get good advice in Australia so any help would be appriciated. Thanks

[Ghiaddict]

The windlace is the vertical beading strip (vinyl)
installed along the front and rear edges of the
body door openings. Often found missing or in
terrible shape, so many Ghias no longer have them.
Not sure when they were introduced into production,
but OG back to 1960 for sure.

Here are some pics of the windlace install on
a recently restored 1969 KG cabrio:

Not sure how much they'd help with your problem, since
they are properly installed underneath the carpet (and the metal
edge bracket in the front).
_________________
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[coad]

Go to any good upholstery shop and tell them what you need. They can sew you 10 feet or whatever it takes for next to nothing. Basically it is just a piece of round rope-shaped foam with vinyl that matches your carpet sewn around it, and then it has a lip.

Then you just cut what you need and glue it on with the lip under the carpet. It gives a nice finished look to the edges.

They'll know what you want. If they don't then go to a different shop.

[Bones 53]

I bought a length about 8 feet long from sewfine. Nice job on it easy to install and reasonabel.

[willow204]

Thanks heaps guys that was great!

[1958ghia]

I also wanted to comment that if the carpet isn't finished on the rear edge of that piece, it was probably because you need the metal strip that attaches to the sheetmetal kickpanel, then "pinches" over the rear edge of the carpet. That is how my '58 was, but I dont know about '60. Anybody know what year they stopped installing these dang things? Pretty hard to find, and you can see them as a light beige strip between my windlacing and carpet here:

[Ghiaddict]

Yes, I mentioned those metal edging strips previously.
They are pictured (black) in the first image above.

AFAIK they continued to be used through the end
of production in 1974. For those in need, send me a PM.
_________________
****************************

Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[1958ghia]

Hmm, you learn something new everyday.. I thought you were talking about a vinyl piece, not the metal piece. I must have missed the black metal piece in the picture. I was under the impression that the carpet was supposed to be clamped into that, not installed in front of it. But maybe that just has to do with whether your carpet has the finished edge or not. Thanks!

[Gary]

[Ghiaddict]

Just to clarify;

Vinyl windlace first on the body panel.

Metal edging strip on top of the windlace.

Carpet on top of both,
with the rear edge tucked into the lip of the metal strip.

Naturally, you can tuck more carpet into the lip if
there's no finished edge on that particular section.
_________________
****************************

Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[Buggeroff]

I'm not clear on what, if any changes were made to the style of these trim pieces.
My 57 has the vinyl wrapped and stitched around what appears to be a fairly stiff piece of rubber hose which is brittle with age.
It should pretty straight forward to obtain some fresh hose and wrap it with nice new vinyl, but for the newer car owners would this method be correct ?
Chris.
_________________
"Chris of the Ozarks"

Headlinerless 57 Ghia
Thread deleter extrordinaire.

[Ghiaddict]

These trim pieces basically stayed the same
throughout the Ghia production run.
Making your own out of fresh materials
would work, no matter if for lowlight or fatchick.
_________________
****************************

Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[coad]

[KGCoupe]

Anything will work - the question is, which one will give off that proper odor that we all know and love as it ages? (Ode d' VW Vintage)

[The aussie Trimmer]

[72Coupe]

Thanks Willow. I was looking for this same info... guess I didn't ask politely enough... Or maybe since my daily driver isn't up to the fanatical standards of some here, I didn't rate a reply. Either way, I have been looking for this windlacing for our car and have not been able to purchase it. Guess I'll take their advice and try to get someone to make me some.

Best Regards...

[Ghiaddict]

72Coupe,

Saw the other posting of yours with the photo. Just figured you'd see
this thread and it would provide some answers for you.
BTW, your daily driver is much nicer condition than the '74
that is my current ride! Nice work and keep it going.
_________________
****************************

Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[72Coupe]

[Cobey]

I've been wondering what those were! Thankfully, I didn't pitch them with the rest of the old interior. Picked up some new vinyl for them tonight and started "rebuilding" them and the hinge cover plates. I'll have to pull the front carpet up enough to install them, but, oh well!
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(0)(=|=)(0) 68 Ghia Vert - Gina
N.A.G

Home Solar Power

[pkane]

I had to ask previously about the metal frames in the past. I thought I would add this photo to the thread, so people can see what they look like (unrestored). My carpet has a finished edge, but I still plan to insert under the lip.

_________________
Pat Kane
71 Ghia Vert