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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:49 am Post subject: 7 Year Wait |
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Build title is probably wrong as it all started 13 year ago when I bought this site unseen. Looked straight and thought it would be an easy project then I had it bead blasted.
Things I found were not great.. not major issues also but I knew it was not going to be cheap.
So the work began.
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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:59 am Post subject: 7 Year Wait |
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Decided to go with a smooth early looking dash by removing the dash pad. Was not aware that it was so badly shaped under the pad so we had to reshape the dash line over the instrument section as you can see.
Jumping to today this is result.
Also had to decide what to do with the headlights and I made the tuff call to go with Porsche 356 headlights. I know it may not be everyones taste but I'm building this fo my enjoyment as I want it to look.
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xzener Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2006 Posts: 1777
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 8:58 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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Looking great! I was pondering Porsche headlights too... Not just for the look, but because there is not a single KG headlight bucket in the stores world wide. But, I broke down and bought a $180 bucket off eBay from a guys taking advantage of the situation. Do I blame him? No. Do I swear to him? Oh yes. _________________ My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>! |
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slalombuggy Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9147 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 9:22 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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I love what you did under the dash for the gauges. Did you hand form this piece or did you use part of an early Beetle dash?
brad |
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kiwighia68 Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2013 Posts: 2875 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:10 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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There aren't many improvements one can make to the classic Ghia lines designed by Mr Ghia, but your 356 headlights is one of them, maybe the only one. Complimented by Porsche 993 wheels, if I'm not mistaken.
Well done. _________________ Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015 |
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KGCoupe Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005 Posts: 3580 Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:28 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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kiwighia68 wrote: |
There aren't many improvements one can make to the classic Ghia lines designed by Mr Ghia, but your 356 headlights is one of them, maybe the only one. Complimented by Porsche 993 wheels, if I'm not mistaken.
Well done. |
I agree that the lines of those headlights flow etremely well with the shape of the Karmann Ghia's front fenders - I like the look very much.
However, I'm guessing that those wheels are actually from a 986/987 Boxster rather than a 993.
I can hardly wait to see the whole project completed! |
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jason_hamilton Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2003 Posts: 1118 Location: Abbotsford, BC
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:44 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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xzener wrote: |
there is not a single KG headlight bucket in the stores world wide. |
They're showing in stock on CIP's website...
http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?search=TAB-404-211&Submit= _________________ Jason Hamilton
1969 Karmann Ghia coupe
@MiddleAgedHoon |
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xzener Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2006 Posts: 1777
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Mellow Yellow 74 Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014 Posts: 1615 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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What is the hole on the dash above the radio for? _________________ 1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon) |
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Angus Dowrie Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2005 Posts: 341 Location: Kangaroo Point, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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Great to see another Aussie car getting close to being back on the road.
I'm up in Brisbane, should have my '63 going in a month or so after a 2+ year Resto and over 12 years in hibernation before that! _________________ 1963 Australian Delivery RHD Coupe
Build thread;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610414 |
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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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Hi Brad,
Yes I started with a dash section from a 54 Oval and that was grafted onto dash. It looked good but the panel shop thought I only wanted to fit in a radio so they did not allow enough room for gauges so it was removed and reworked again. |
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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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The final choice of wheels took 5 years, I firstly got a set of Radar Wheels 17" but didn't like the look . I then purchased a cheap set of twist wheels which you see it rolling on in the photos.
This was an interesting exercise as I found that with the Mendeola front end you could fit 17x 9" rims and still have clearance, problem was you had one direction you could go.. straight. On the rear I have converted to IRS and fitted Herbert 2" narrowed trailing arms and all the performance mods
I was surprised to find I could fit the twist 7.5" wheels .
There was a lot of internal clearance but was touching inner guard. I then purchased a set of 3 piece Turbo twist wheels 17x11' & 17x9" as after two years of looking around the world I was getting desperate.
Now the fun began. I started thinking I could use the original lips or possibly the rear barrels but it just didn't work so ordered all new parts. I will now run 17 x 7.5" on front and 17x8' on rear.
Did final assembly of the wheels yesterday and very happy with result. The final touch will be the centre caps which will be the VW crest laser cut.
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sputnick60 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007 Posts: 3916 Location: In Molinya Orbit
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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Hey Allan,
I was dropping off my car at Chris's shop in Helensburgh today and saw your car up on the stands. Also saw the chassis with all that Mendeola hardware on it. Its the same chassis that spent lots of time at Boris' last year, right?
I didn't realise the two were linked to the same project. I'm not into that level of customisation nonetheless what you're doing is looking good. The Mercedes colour is a good choice. The interior paint is pretty good looking.
Chris was telling me about all the rework he's had to do on work done poorly by others. That rear quarter seems like it was a real headache.. Now that Chris is on the job you can be assured it will come out looking fantastic.....but not as fantastic looking as mine
Nicholas _________________ '66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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slalombuggy Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9147 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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alansvwTwinCab wrote: |
Hi Brad,
Yes I started with a dash section from a 54 Oval and that was grafted onto dash. It looked good but the panel shop thought I only wanted to fit in a radio so they did not allow enough room for gauges so it was removed and reworked again. |
That's very funny because I also have a dash section out of a 54 I scrapped and held it up to see what it would look like with the center of the dash grafted into the Ghia dash including the lower section to put gauges in.
brad |
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briggsy Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2013 Posts: 29 Location: Ontario, CANADA
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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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What a Beutiful Ride doing the same
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kman Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2005 Posts: 739 Location: Michigan
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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:45 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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I actually found that the Porsche 356 buckets were cheaper than VW buckets (In Australia at least) so that's what I used and as I was using the 356 headlights it made perfect sense. Only issue we had was they did not have a drain hole which we added. |
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craigolio1 Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2010 Posts: 157
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 5:48 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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When you say bucket, do you mean the fender section or the inside bucket that holds the bulb etc?
Where did you get the 356 parts?
Also I Googled and couldn't find the Hibert narrowed trailing arms, and I see some nice looking adjustable spring plates there. Would you mind listing what your suspension parts are for the rear end, and the source?
Very nice work.
Craig _________________ I'm the new guy. Thanks for your patience.
1970 Ghia Convertable - Restoration in progress.
Link to my build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=637602
Located in the Toronto area. |
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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 7:31 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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Sorry, I meant to say Herbert Performance http://herbertperformanceco.com/
Eric was great to deal with and his parts are just a work of art. My mechanic who has been building performance VW engines and cars for 40 years could not tell they were narrowed and he ordered a set. |
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alansvwTwinCab Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 7:51 am Post subject: Re: 7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build |
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I just purchased the 356 Headlight Bucket from our local (in Sydney) Porsche dealership . Here is a little of what goes into making them fit.
I don't have those skills so rely on others but its a time and money consuming path, yes I can always go back to original and I have kept some original style headlight buckets just in case I ever needed. |
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