7 Year Wait - Alan's Ghia Build

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.

[xzener]

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.
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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>!

[slalombuggy]

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

[kiwighia68]

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.
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Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

[KGCoupe]

[jason_hamilton]

[xzener]

https://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-141-809-145

I wish. Would have saved me some money. Oh well.
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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>!

[Mellow Yellow 74]

What is the hole on the dash above the radio for?
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1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)

[Angus Dowrie]

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!
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1963 Australian Delivery RHD Coupe
Build thread;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610414

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.

[sputnick60]

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
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'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!

[slalombuggy]

[briggsy]

What a Beutiful Ride doing the same

[kman]

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20057255/

Anyone ever use an 8" stainless bowl. That is what the custom guys do. And what I was about to do until I found a bucket at a decent price.
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71 vert build. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=572951&highlight=dead

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.

[craigolio1]

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
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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.

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.

[alansvwTwinCab]

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.