1959 convertible Ghia

[oldbusboy]

By way of a friend I found a 1959 lowlight convertible for sale on the other side of Canada last fall. Back in early 90s the PO and a friend bought the car here in British Columbia and drove it across Canada to Montreal, Quebec. The car has lived there ever since. Staying indoors through the long winters.

Fairly complete, but wearing L31 Dove Blue for some reason. Not a terrible choice, but not Bernia or Trout Blue either.

_________________
1968 porsche

[oldbusboy]

Because this was happening during the winter, there wasn't really an opportunity to get clear photos or video of the car. It was tucked away for the long Quebec winter. I asked as many questions as I could and ultimately felt like it was worth doing.

This is what I saw:

Trevor

_________________
1968 porsche

[oldbusboy]

The price, even with the shipping seemed reasonable in spite of the fact I wasn't seeing the car in person.

I thought about it for a few days.. this car was sitting on a couple VW club pages so I knew my window to buy it was limited.

Finally I decided to go ahead and do it. I wired the money and was now the owner of a 1959 lowlight convertible Ghia. Gulp

Trevor
_________________
1968 porsche

[pbaptist]

Nice score!!!
_________________
Dutch Karmann-Ghia and coachbuild lover.
1* Karmann Ghia Coupe (1966 Teak)
2* Karmann Ghia Convertible (1958, 1971)
4* Rometsch Lawrence (nr 534, 555, 558 and 561)

Karmann-Ghia Lowlight page and registry
Karmann-Ghia Collectibles database

[oldbusboy]

Thanks Patrick.

Hey, will you be at HO this year? If so lets catch up.

Trevor
_________________
1968 porsche

[aerosilver]

[pbaptist]

[kgj]

V nice. More photos please when you can.
_________________
1958 coupe

[oldbusboy]

[oldbusboy]

I looked around and found a company called Livingston International. They would collect the car and transport the car via train. Seemed very straightforward. Depending on collection date transport would take roughly 14 days. Not terrible for 5000 km.

Everything hinged on the weather in Quebec.

Luckily a window of non-blizzard like weather happened and the car was collected.

Trevor

_________________
1968 porsche

[Karmann Gheezer]

Congratulations Trevor. She's a beauty.
_________________

[calexican]

Cool! I always thought dove blue looked great on the ghia, there is a picture of another vert in a flat 4 book that is in dove blue. Congrats!

[John Moxon]

Yep I'd just paint those rim inners a light grey and add the beauty rings...good to go

Great find.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[oldbusboy]

After 4 weeks I got a call from the shipping company that the car had arrived. I think there was a delay in transferring the car in Montreal, so it sat in a yard waiting for an opening to head West.

It was slightly nerve wracking waiting for them to drive the car out front from the yard. The longer I waited the more I imagined the problems they must be having. Like where is reverse and where is the battery. Eventually the car drove up. Apparently after sitting in the yard in Montreal and the trip across Canada by train the battery was dead, so they had to jump it in the yard.

This is the first time actually seeing the car in person. My first impression was that it was in pretty decent shape, although I seem to have developed a problem where I immediately make a mental note of every issue or incorrect item on the car. Anyway, the paint wasn't bad, although there were a few places that were bubbling and the car had a newer side mirror bolted on and incorrect seats. (see what I mean).

I had intended to hop in and drive the car home.. well, the battery was an issue, but the gas pedal had become detached. I assume from all the shipping folks roaring around the various yards in their giant work boots. Anyway I couldn't figure out a way to get things back together suitably enough to hit traffic. So I called for a flat deck.

Not how I imagined my first drive. Still pretty happy with the purchase. Now to fix that mirror!

Trevor

_________________
1968 porsche

[sputnick60]

That mirror is OG from a '66 to '67. Its not all that common. Don't throw it out. .
Nice to see you have the car home. I had similar evidence of heavy handedness when my Ghia arrived. It got tied down with a rope over the painted bumper covers crushing those and a slow leak in a tyre slackened the same ropes allowing it to rock back and forth on the ship smashing its headlight (chrome and bucket) on something just inches away.

You've done well with just those minor problems. Congratulations!

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!

[oldbusboy]

[oldbusboy]

For what seemed like an eternity I finally got this car across Canada and into my garage. At least 3 trucks and 1 train later here it is:

With the roof down. Those seats need to go and the bumper needs some adjustments!!

Trevor

_________________
1968 porsche

[oldbusboy]

I wanted to get the wheels sorted out. So I took them to be stripped and then powder coated. They look so much better now!

Trevor

_________________
1968 porsche

[oldbusboy]

After powder coating we painted the centres with L87 Pearl White. Depending on the lighting they look a little grey, but they are the right colour.

Trevor

_________________
1968 porsche

[c21darrel]

looks very nice, good work. Keep an eye on the lug nuts for the first 100 miles or so, re-torque as needed.
1st Dove blue lowlight I have seen. Love to see more interior pics.
_________________
GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!