Differences between 1970 and 1971 model-year KG's?

[sdebaker]

If there are any, what are they?

[SoCalJes]

Some of the most obvious are the front turn signals, rear lights, bumpers. I also think that prior to 71 they had single port heads and the engine blocks had single relief valves. I have a 71 and those are some of the things I’ve noticed.
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Jesse
71 Ghia
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Just because it didn't come that way, doesn't mean it shouldn't have.

[sdebaker]

[poorpaul]

I believe (but it seems even when I know), someone will contradict with great pomposity, but I believe that '71 was the only year that had interior door locks on the handle, leaving the space for the button near the rear just as a blank space.

[jwold]

Pre-67 ghias had the little lock tabs by the interior door release handle. At least my 66 has them.

[sactojesse]

I can only think of three differences between model year 1970 and 1971 ghias:

1) 1600 SP engine in 1970 ghias vs. a 1600 DP in 1971-74 ghias;
2) 4.125 ring and pinion in 1967-70 model year ghias vs. 3.875 R&P for model year 1971-74 ghias;
3) interior door handle, as noted above.
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1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible

[sdebaker]

[danielsan]

I've owned a 70 and 71:

1. 71 has larger front defrost vent and the dash pad is changed to accommodate. 70 has a one year only dash.

2. 71 The heater channel-to defrost vent tube is larger, removable and made of paper wrapped foil instead of paper

3. 70 has an easy to reach lever and cable system that open or closes the footwell vents. On the 71 you need to reach down to adjust the footwell vent.

4. 71 has a year only steering wheel

5. 71 has a year only turn signal switch

6. 70 carpet is a German squareweave wool mix. 71 is pergola.

7. 70 Upholstery is basketweave vinyl. 71 is leatherette.

8. 71 has a diagnostic plug in the engine compartment and related wiring

9. The 71 has unique doors -- like the 72 - 74 they use two felt strips and two rattle pads but they use the earlier style window scrapper rubber and trim. 70 used one felt strip and 8 (?) rattle pads.

10. 70 uses the 68-70 horn system / steering column bearing. 71 uses the 71- 74 horn system.

11. 70 uses a vacuum only distributor, 71 uses a DVDA.

12. 71 AE engine is an AS21 alloy with 10 mm studs. I don't know that vw called the alloy used in the 1970 B case.

13. 71 uses the later style glove box with and indentation that allows the larger defrost vents to work.

14. 71 colors are brighter, more sun-bug like.

and the differences other have noted . . .

[70coupyel]

[sdebaker]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[Ghiaddict]

I don't know about the pomposity part of it, but there are
enough very knowledgable Ghia people on this Forum who
will offer corrections to information that is sometimes
posted in error.
We all make mistakes, don't we?

BTW, very nice summary posted by danielsan.
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[crocteau]

Danielsan's note in this thread about '71 Ghias having a one year only steering wheel got me thinking about the steering wheel that was on my '71 Ghia when I bought it from the second owner. I had asked the po about it and we decided it was some after-market sport wheel that the original owner had installed. A samba search turns up several photos of the same type steering wheel, and it's interesting to note that they all have the same split in the plastic covering at the 12 o'clock position. One samba ad calls it a VW of America accessory steering wheel, another says it's for a beetle, and a third says it's a Porsche steering wheel. I like to think Danielsan nailed it, and if so I'll be filling that gap, cleaning it up, adding a wheel skin and going for the one year only stock look. What's the definitive answer?
Charley
my Ghia during refurb:

photos from samba ads:

[ssadaro]

Regarding the doors on a 70 vs 71, can you use a door with a late model door handle on a '71?

[ssadaro]

danielsan noted that the doors are not the same on all late model Ghias, I am asking the expert(s), what year(s) is each door from? reason I ask, they are both late model doors, both driver side, all outside trim holes match, the only variance I noticed is the top piece of the door. Any assistance is appreciated as the car is at the body shop now.

Door on the car - notice the top line by the mirror holes

Door off the car - notice the top line by the mirror holes

[danielsan]

crocteau and vince -- thanks for kind words! crocteau, looks like you've found a great vintage accessory -- nice way to keep it original while making it yours.

ssadaro --

Can't quite tell from the pics but the primered door looks like it takes the earlier style window scraper. I would have to see outer handle holes, the other side of the window channel, and the place where the plastic door lock thingie sits to make a good guess.

The holes in the window channel are for a the felt strips clips. Take one of the felt strip clips from your door and try to put it in both sides of the door. If the clip fits on the side closest to the driver, but not on the side closest to the outside of the car you have a 68-70 door (assuming it has an ice pick style door handle provision). If the felt clips fit in both side of the window channel, you don't have a hole for the door lock thingie but an a little provision for the window lock thingie, you have a 71 door.

Can you take a few more photos?

Also --

Not sure if this is what you are asking but you can take the internals from a 71 door and put them in a 70 door but you need every part -- the door pull / lock mechanism, the bar (the 70 is shorter), and the latch.

[ssadaro]

danielsan - I eyeballed the felt strips on both sides of the window, they appeared to be the same, maybe they are off slightly? I do not think it is a 71 door simply due to the outside window scraper. I do not have any other photos for now. What is the plastic door lock thing you are referring to?

[70coupyel]

House of Ghia has door shells listed as this break down
68-70
71 only
72-74
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[ssadaro]

Here is the door before clean up and primer - best photos I have for now.

[danielsan]

That looks like a 71 door to me.

Djkeev made a great thread on door differences:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=438734&highlight=door+difference

[Altema]

Rather than make a new thread, I though this would fit here:

It looks like the PO installed a 71 dash pad on our 70 coupe along with the late style defroster grills that are twice as long as necessary. Below is a pic I took during a recent speaker upgrade. Now, KGPR lists one dash pad for 68-70, but in this thread it is stated that the 70 dash pad is a one year only unit.

I've placed black tape on the blank area, and am still deciding on whether or not to re-install the grills. What are my options?

Paul