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lstyles
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 246
Location: Oakland, Ca
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 Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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Just saw this thread. Great Stuff! Can I ask how much it would cost for you to install a new top on a 68 ghia? What would you expect to pay for the materials for the job?
thanks,
Lori |
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Not really possible to give an accurate labor estimate
without first inspecting the top frame, wood bows, etc. for condition.
Materials cost varies according to what type cover is chosen;
vinyl vs. canvas. I'd guess materials would be about $600
for only a vinyl top cover, headliner & padding kit.
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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lstyles
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 246
Location: Oakland, Ca
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the quick response. I am considering buying a ghia convertible. The top mechanism is all in good shape but I don't like the color. Am going to paint the car and change the color of the convertible top. Can you give me an estimate of what it might cost (I understand it is only an estimate) for a convertible mechanism that appears to be working and in good shape?
thanks,
Lori
PS. I am assuming this would be too much work for a do-it-yourself job??? |
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John Moxon 
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Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
| Now, we're all assuming you'd like Vince to include the cost of shipping your Ghia from California to Florida in the estimate. |
I was thinking air fare and associated costs for a trip to
the left coast. Have tools, will travel. 
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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John Moxon
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Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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lstyles
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 246
Location: Oakland, Ca
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Hey I would love to have some ghia experts come out and help me but I don't think I can afford it! Just trying to get some idea of what a quality replacement will set me back...right now I have no idea...
Lori |
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John Moxon
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Joined: March 07, 2004
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chassisboy
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2006
Posts: 153
Location: CT
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 10:50 am Post subject: |
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I know that you use the foam seal for the header bow that mounts under the top material instead of the external seal with the the aluminum inserts. I found that the external seal cannot be compressed to the 2mm speced dimension for the ends of the bow. As measured the external seal assembly with the aluminum bars installed measures 8mm!
I would expect you would want a max of 2mm crush on the seal so the end dimensions for the external seal should be 6mm.
Am I correct in assuming this?
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| chassisboy wrote: |
...I found that the external seal cannot be compressed to the 2mm speced dimension for the ends of the bow. As measured the external seal assembly with the aluminum bars installed measures 8mm!
I would expect you would want a max of 2mm crush on the seal so the end dimensions for the external seal should be 6mm.
Am I correct in assuming this? |
If you mean shape the ends of the header bow to obtain a
6mm gap to the windshield frame, the math sounds right.
BTW, I've seen 2 versions of that external seal that uses the
metal insert bars. One was obviously way too big to
fit in any fashion and I expect some parts house sent out a seal
that was not meant for Karmann Ghia.
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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72Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2007
Posts: 1253
Location: Baltimore Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:25 am Post subject: Re: 1970 Convertible Top Replacement |
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| Ghiaddict wrote: |
We're installing a convertible top for a fellow Sambanista and
would like to illustrate some of the steps here in the Ghia Forum.
His 1970 Ghia arrived here with the convertible framework and wood bows already installed and in good shape.
Watch this space for updates as work progresses. Some select photos of
the fundamental steps will appear here as progress points are reached.
Scope of the work will include:
1. Adjust top frame with bows for proper fit to body.
2. Install headliner.
3. Install padding.
4. Install top cover.
What follows applies to all Karmann Ghia cabriolet tops
from late 1969 through 1974 with the glass rear window.
New header bow, corner plates, guide pins and boots.
New rear wood bow. Keep the glass window in place during the process.
Some adjustments needed here for better fit to body. |
This is a great thread Vince.
Im getting ready to install a top and was wondering if you knew off hand what size screws were used to attach the metal frame connections on the ends of the front header bows. Or does someone sell them. The wood screws I found do not completely countersink into the tapered holes (stick up bout 1mm) Maybe not an issue once padding is added. The next size down have the tapered head but are designed for metal. Thanks
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Bill
WTB- Billet center caps with Wolfsburg logo
72 Ghia Vert project
Bodywork http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=303542&highlight=
Re-assembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4762737#4762737
72 Beetle Weekend Driver, restored in the 90's
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=353424
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:40 am Post subject: |
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Bill,
I don't have a size spec handy, sorry.
I usually just take an example of the hardware I need
over to my local Ace Hardware and they've never let me down.
If you have 1 mm or less "stick-up", that may be OK. Just
remember to cover the end plates with squares of vinyl as shown
early on in this thread. After that comes some foam padding
before the top cover is slipped on, so you should be good to go.
Good Luck with the install!
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Convertible tops installed. |
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72Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2007
Posts: 1253
Location: Baltimore Maryland
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:53 am Post subject: |
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| 72Ghia wrote: |
Thank you!
Do you remember where you purchased the waxed thread & 1 1/2" strappng?
Also I need to install a new bow header & end plates. Think it would be better to install end plates to the top frame before installing the bow?
BTW for anyone looking for other Ghia parts Vince is excellent to deal with. |
I waxed my own thread using a candle. Just draw it along the
sides and it becomes waxed. Harkens me back to my fly-tying days.
Yes, front corner end plates install before the header bow.
The 1 1/2" strapping can be had from Sewfine, Chuck's or any other
VW cv top supplier. Locally, all I could find was 2" wide strapping
for American Iron but one trim shop had a hot knife (Made in
Germany, no less) and they trimmed some for me once.
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Convertible tops installed. |
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Scooterboyd
Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2009
Posts: 342
Location: Rancho Cordova, California
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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I got my wax thread, extra foam, and Elastic strapping at JoAnn's Fabrics. They are a large hobby & craft chain store. Wood screws @ Ace or Lowes. Ok, Home Depot too.
I should finish my vert top tonight.
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President of "Society of Unappreciated Overachievers"
62 - 23 Window Bus
60 - Karmann Ghia Convertible
59 - Convertible Raceable Baja Bug
63 - Dune Buggy
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Volkstuning
Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2010
Posts: 3
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:39 am Post subject: |
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by any chance do you have anything similar for march 68 convertible,
i am just about to do mine, and both the trimmer and i could do with some guidance, especialy where the rear the hood and headliner attach to the rear of the bodywork
thanks |
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INLANDGHIA
Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2010
Posts: 383
Location: moreno valley
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| Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:04 am Post subject: help |
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| Question is there anyway to repair two small holes on both side of convertiable top/right/left of my 64 ghia or is it just better and cheaper to replace top |
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Volkstuning wrote: |
by any chance do you have anything similar for march 68 convertible,
i am just about to do mine, and both the trimmer and i could do with some guidance, especialy where the rear the hood and headliner attach to the rear of the bodywork
thanks |
Sorry, I don't have this documented with photos and such.
Recent tops we've completed were all of the later version.
As noted earlier, as soon as an early one presents itself here, I'll show
the different details on the Forum.
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: help |
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| INLANDGHIA wrote: |
| Question is there anyway to repair two small holes on both side of convertiable top/right/left of my 64 ghia or is it just better and cheaper to replace top |
Small holes can be repaired using various methods but that
would most likely be a temporary fix.
Yes, it's better to replace the top cover but I wouldn't
call it cheaper. Is your present top canvas or vinyl?
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Convertible tops installed. |
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INLANDGHIA
Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2010
Posts: 383
Location: moreno valley
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| Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:38 am Post subject: vert top |
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| The top is canvas...Ya dont just want temp fix so guess will have to replace it then |
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