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Volksusername
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012
Posts: 19
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 Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject: What do you think of this Ghia? |
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The ad says:
1970 Volkswagen Karmenn Ghia
$3500.00
A fun car to finish restoration. We've ran out of time,
rebuilt 1.9 litter engine and
rebuilt Freeway flyer transmission; 4th gear is geared higher.
New Weber Carb 44 IDF
New Clutch, New muffler, Rebuilt starter
New windshield.
Body fairly staight some rust.
Is the price okay? How does it look? How much would it cost to finish the restoration on this if I were paying someone else to do the body work and paint? I'm probably going to get a completely restored Ghia and pay a lot more, but I just thought I'd see what your opinions are. Also, I am not sure if I have posted this in the right section or if I should have posted this in the Today in Ghia Hunting section. Please let me know. Thank you. |
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Basketcase
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2011
Posts: 636
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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| new to VWs but an old car guy nontheless. l'd say lt's well worth a look and a drlve. search here for tlps on what hldden rust or problems to beware of. at least wlth thls one you will know just how the body ls. fresh paint can hlde alot of slns. |
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scotty timmerman
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2010
Posts: 1050
Location: gigharbor W.A
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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14237
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:24 am Post subject: |
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From what you say in the other thread you have running I would give it a definite thumbs down...probably a bondo nightmare. That car will be a money pit if you are not doing the work yourself.
As was said in the other topic you should be looking to spend a fair bit more on a good runner in as near stock configuration as you can find.
Don't ever think you can buy cheaply, have the restoration works carried out by a professional shop and still come out ahead...I doesn't happen like that. The Samba classifieds are stacked with adverts that say, "I have over $12000 in this car will accept offers around $9000"...in the end they'll probably take $7k. That's where the deals are to be found.
Be patient, the right car will appear.
On posting in the right spot...I would advise tacking other posts onto your first topic until you buy your car...then you can start a new one on your Ghia ownership. 
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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jhuebner
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2011
Posts: 34
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| $3500 seems to high for the condition if you have the cash wait it out for a better car you may have to travel out of your location to get the right one, I live in Germany and while on vacation in Florida I lucked out and bought a complete Ghia for $2500 with very little rust. |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2815
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:07 am Post subject: Re: What do you think of this Ghia? |
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| Volksusername wrote: |
The ad says:
A fun car to finish restoration. We've ran out of time,
Body fairly staight some rust.
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"Some rust"...my ass! That is MAJOR rust. And as John said, probably a lot more hiding under the paint. Rocker panels rust from the inside out.
"...finish restoration". I would never use the term restoration to describe what's been done to that car. That's a hack-job, at best.
If you got this car for free and had the skills to do all the body, paint, interior and mechanical work yourself, it MIGHT be worth doing. If paying someone to do all that stuff, you'll put $10K into that thing and still not be finished.
Find a car that is already done to your liking, unless you really want a project to work on. And if that's the case, find a better car to start with.
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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berliner
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006
Posts: 440
Location: west coast canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:42 am Post subject: ghia |
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With these cars it's all in the body.All the mechanical stuff is easy to contend with.I got one shipped to Canada from California for what they're asking,totally solid body,needed engine repair.By doing it that way I saved a fortune on body work compared to anything I'd find where I live.Save yourself grief,find a better one.
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I'm part of the problem. |
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sactojesse
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006
Posts: 2655
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:18 am Post subject: Re: ghia |
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| berliner wrote: |
| With these cars it's all in the body.All the mechanical stuff is easy to contend with.I got one shipped to Canada from California for what they're asking,totally solid body,needed engine repair.By doing it that way I saved a fortune on body work compared to anything I'd find where I live.Save yourself grief,find a better one. |
Agreed. Buy the best body you can afford. The running gear is shared with a like year Beetle and readily obtainable.
To the OP: two years ago, I sold my extremely solid 1969 ghia coupe to a friend for less than the car you're looking at. It was a complete, running, registered car with a 1600 DP. It was a "bro" deal, but you get the point.
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1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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calexican
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 741
Location: El Paso, TX
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| I get a good feeling from the 71 green Ghia posted in the classifieds here on the samba, it's from Sacramento. I noticed you were looking for a later model. Good luck! |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14237
Location: Southampton U.K.
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NWGhiaGuy
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2005
Posts: 703
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| Definately keep looking around. I bought a car for parts last year and I'll bet the body is better that this one you're looking at. It's so good I decided to make it a runner, replace a few missing things, and put it back on the road. It's not real pretty, but a sold body none the less. I'd probably be happy to get $1500 for it! |
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Stonesrock
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2011
Posts: 110
Location: Bremerton, wa
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:19 am Post subject: |
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I made that mistake. I paid $2500 for mine and am additional $5500 into it now and my car was in better shape than the one you are looking at - not so much rust. Keep looking - offer $1000 and walk away if it is rejected. The motor is worth $1000 anyway. You may want a parts car if you find another 1970 "Fat Chick".
Here is my 1970:
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Volksusername
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Stonesrock- Very nice KG. Love to see that you're driving it in the snow! So apparently it can be done!
The green 71 looks to be a good car, but I don't like the color. I think I really prefer the pearl, tans, or the white colors or sometimes a really different color like pink or purple. I have family in Southern California who could help me out, but not up in Sacramento. My bro-in-law paints VWs on the side so he might know what to look for as far as rust goes. Although, I did notice there's a nice guide on here to show you where to look for rust.
John Moxon- Thanks for the direction on proper posting and letting me know what kind of money goes into these cars. I guess I will just have to be patient and wait for the right one.
Thank you everyone, your posts have enlightened me. It seems like KGs where I live are priced quite high, so I am going to focus on finding one in Southern California. It seems like that is where most of the deals are anyway. My best friend is in the market for a classic bug. I'm going to point her to The Samba.
Thanks again |
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70 140
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2002
Posts: 8471
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: What do you think of this Ghia? |
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| Volksusername wrote: |
The ad says:
A fun car to finish restoration. We've ran out of time,
Body fairly staight some rust.
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That car is a bondo nightmare. Where did the torsion bar access cap go? Why is the jack point higher than the bottom of the rocker. Rust is why. It looks like a $4-$500 shell.
A rebuilt engine that doesn't come with any sort of documentation or receipts might as well be cosidered an unknown engine. Worth maybe $700 tops if it runs nicely. It might last 10 years or 10 minutes.
Last edited by 70 140 on Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ovghiaguy
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2009
Posts: 848
Location: Orangevale Ca.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:56 pm Post subject: what do you think of this ghia |
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| "a fun car to finish the restoration " implies that "some restoration " has been done . dont see anything restored ! look closely at drivers side door, it has been over opened. you can tell by the dent by fender gap. |
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Volksusername
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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70 140- I did not know that about a rebuilt engine, of course it seems obvious, but I wouldn't have thought about it. Good thing to know and remember while I'm looking.
ovghiaguy-You are so right about the drivers' side door. I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out. I hope I can start to get an eye for this stuff.
I posted another car to look at on the bottom of my other thread. Thanks again.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=502816 |
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70 140
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2002
Posts: 8471
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Volksusername wrote: |
| 70 140- I did not know that about a rebuilt engine, of course it seems obvious, but I wouldn't have thought about it. Good thing to know and remember while I'm looking. |
Rebuilt is a term a lots of people define differently. In some cases the engine was degreased, the tin was painted and some tune-up parts installed.
In other cases engines come apart, internal moving components get machined. Lots of work is involved, costs are anywhere from $1500 and up.
Not all engines need to be gutted and totally rebuilt. Just make sure you know what you are buying, and what the previous owner has done. Like I typed before, no documentation or receipt, makes it an unknown engine. |
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John Moxon
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Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14237
Location: Southampton U.K.
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