Dorian's 1971 Ghia restoration blog

DorianL

Right off the bat, I apologize. No pics. Only tomorrow. Predictably my iPhone crapped out just when they delivered the 71KG. Very predictably.

This evening, somewhere in Belgium, I took ownership of a matte black 1971 Ghia. They were a great bunch of guys. Twenty-some, hip and they all piled into a beetle when they left. Very cool.

As for the KG, I did not have much time to look it over, but it looks the part.

The interior, as expected, is very shoddy. Lots of bits and pieces will need sandblasting and repainting, reupholstering, you name it... Looking shoddy. Steering wheel is damaged, off and out. Missing rubber seals. Windows not rising and lowering properly...

On the flip side. the body (tho' it has three layers of paint on it - yellow, red and now black) is clean. Straight. No rust that I could detect. We'll see if this holds out when I start sanding.

The floor pans are new, heater channels, all look solid. I'm really impressed.

Engine fires up right away - tho is needs a tune.

Handling. My, the KG feels pretty stiff. One could make a pretty good handling machine out of this... The steering however is very slow. Brakes are also slow!

Overall, I am VERY pleased.

DorianL · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 1:28 pm Post subject:

Mmmm, I think one of the first couple of things I'm going to do is replace that steering box with a faster one - this one was almost scary. Then improve the brakes...

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:16 am Post subject:

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DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 6:30 am Post subject:

Kinda trying to figure out where I want to go from here... what the priorities are.

The Missus says she'd like the car in metallic silver... but flat black is all right. So I could delay painting.

I do however want the car weather proofed since this is outside in my drive way.

The window mech is not wroking well. Windows will not go all the way up. Pretty much all seals need to be replaced. Rust free but rain can get in...

Shifter bushings need to be replaced. It is a pain to shift.

Engine seems to be running fine. I'll leave that alone for a while.

Upholstery is shoddy and can wait.

Hmmm, I am tempted to get is into decent running state first - fix seals and window mech. Shifter. Tighten brakes and steering - then do (the more expensive and time consuming paint.)

But I also want to prevent rusting - and it seems silly to install seals only to have to yank them and paint... hmmmm, what do you guys think?

This would be lifting the body off kinda thing and POR-15 the rolling stock...

KGCoupe · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:01 am Post subject:

Would a car cover protect it enough from the weather to delay replacing the seals?

DorianL · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:12 am Post subject:

Yes - a car cover for sure. I don't have a garage....

I think I am going to first drive it for a bit to get a sense of what needs to be done. This will also allow me to register it for the road as well.

Basics to include seals (not fully glued yet) and window regulators, shift bushings, brakes, steering, etc. Tune engine.

Clean up front seats and interior so Missus is ok to drive.

Then lift off body and paint.

Then seriously tackle the interior...

danielsan · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:44 am Post subject:

You are right to hold off on paint. Prepping for paint will open a hornet's nest that I don't think you want to tackle. The flat black looks good. My vote is to get it in reliable driver condition and then tackle the looks.

Things to add your driving resto:

1. Get a rain tray for the engine lid. You don't want water on the coil / distributor. Will mean getting a new air filter for carb.

2. Replace the bug style rear view mirror for a ghia one. Safety issue: the angle is wrong you will have a hard time seeing what is behind you.

have fun Smile

c21darrel · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:36 am Post subject:

Here are a few ideas for you.
You need this piece to keep water out. Widows are not intended to roll to the roof.
http://www.karmannghia.com/viewDetail.asp?strMasterCat=1329&idproduct=1972
Window regulators...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...window+reg
Your front turn signals are installed sideways.
You need an engine hood rubber seal and remove the piece on the top portion, no seal on top.

scotty timmerman · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:14 pm Post subject:

those are the wrong style front turn signals. you need the wrap around style
_________________
71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

Cohibra45 · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:22 pm Post subject:

DorianL · Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:28 am Post subject:

Thanks, Gents...

Rain tray, filter, rear view - check, check, check...

Yes, I am kinda leaning with the bullet indicator. I do think they look better as well. Just a personal opinion. When it comes time to paint I'll have to seal off the hole.

Thanks for links on seals and regulators...

Cool

D

c21darrel · Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:17 am Post subject:

Bug guy musta helped put that one together

djway3474 · Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:38 am Post subject:

I was thinking last night that they are probably off of a bug also, the signals that is. Idea

DorianL · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:48 am Post subject:

DorianL · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:00 am Post subject:

I found a company over here that does soda blasting plus glass beading rust... they appear to do a very thorough job... but they wat 1700 USD. I think that might be a bit too rich for my blood. I think it's going to have to be DA sanding + wire wheel and maybe paint stripper. I've heard horror stories about paint stripper creeping though fresh paint jobs...

kman · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:18 am Post subject:

Paint stripper must be neutralized with a vinegar water solution. Concentrate especially on seams etc that it may have seeped into. You cannot clean a panel enough before painting.

DorianL · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 11:01 am Post subject:

So far so good. Brakes check out. As do plugs and lights.

A minor problem with the vacuum advance...

DorianL · Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 10:28 am Post subject:

Next Friday it goes to tech inspection to get its import registration. Belgium requires a fog light.

Apparently at one time there was an alarm system in there...

Probably I'll replace the plug wires, points and vacuum advance before I go.

DorianL · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject:

Bug porn?

Friday, I try to push it through Belgian tech inspection. The vacuum advance should be replaced, if not I have a 009 distributor I can put in there temporarily.

Other than that I plan to weather-seal the doors and get rid of the window rattle. Put rubber back on pedals. Fix slop in stick shift and finally put the correct turn signals back in.

That's a start.

I happen to have a spare MSD 6AL2 programmable. I am going to have to figure out where to put it and how to get it to work with bug parts...

c21darrel · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:46 pm Post subject:

Fun to get a pack of toys in the mail!
Good luck on your inspection.


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