| Author |
Message |
Peter D.
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004
Posts: 718
Location: Stamford, CT
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 9:41 am Post subject: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
 |
|
I had a Ghia which I sold ten years ago. I didn't have the time or money to put into fixing it up back then (baby, moving into a house, etc)
I'm ready to take the plunge again and I have my eye on this one:
https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/d/1969-volkswagen-karmann-ghia/6444228179.html
It's probably rusty as hell underneath. Is $5k a good price these days for a complete and running Northeast Ghia with patchy repairs? Seems like it's worth less.
_________________
2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
crazy tarzan
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2011
Posts: 109
Location: Wyoming
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
IMHO that is overpriced. You already know it's going to take a bit of work to restore to original, and there is probably some rust that hasn't been pointed out.
But, how many others are available? How far are you willing to travel? How long can you wait? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kurt912
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2014
Posts: 158
Location: The Woodlands Tx
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
A solid non running car would be better in that price range unless you have a MIG and some talent (and the motivation). The most expensive thing to make right in these is the bodywork.
_________________
1964 MG Midget MK1 Monte Carlo Replica
1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1972 Mercedes 250 Coupe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter D.
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004
Posts: 718
Location: Stamford, CT
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
Yeah, I can definitely wait... for one I need to clear space in my garage. LOL
For sure I'd prefer to buy local so I can see it in person before buying. And I'd like something that is complete so I don't have to track down missing parts. I think I'd offer half the asking price for that one.
_________________
2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13955
Location: Southampton U.K.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter D.
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004
Posts: 718
Location: Stamford, CT
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
Thank you for the encouragement! I'm going into this knowing I'm in for a long process. I could just buy one that's already done but what's the fun in that?!
And I've been reading other posts and trying to educate myself as much as possible. I hope to start a project thread once I get going.
_________________
2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13955
Location: Southampton U.K.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
Unless you're handy with a welder and know how to do body work & rust repair, hold out for a car with a good clean body (or one where the body work's already been done) that maybe needs a new interior and/or mechanical rebuild. The Ghia body is by far the most expensive area of the car to put right and requires some skills to do the job correctly. All the mechanical stuff is straightforward and fairly easy to manage.
Be patient and good luck with your search...
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11004
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
The rust you see on that car is the tip of a massive iceberg.
Even the driest of Ghia are going to have some rust issues because of all the boxed structural areas, condensation causes then to rot from the inside out, so the car may look dry stripped but could be rusty as hell in the rockers, for example.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter D.
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004
Posts: 718
Location: Stamford, CT
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| rcooled wrote: |
Unless you're handy with a welder and know how to do body work & rust repair, hold out for a car with a good clean body (or one where the body work's already been done) that maybe needs a new interior and/or mechanical rebuild. The Ghia body is by far the most expensive area of the car to put right and requires some skills to do the job correctly. All the mechanical stuff is straightforward and fairly easy to manage.
Be patient and good luck with your search... |
Yes, I'm definitely better with mechanical repairs than body work. Still, I intend to take it very slowly and learn along the way. I'm lucky enough to have a third garage to do the work in so space is not an issue.
I know it's risky to pay too much for something that's rusty but there's also a risk in buying from someone who may have hidden rust and dents with gobs and gobs of bondo. I would have to rely on the reputation of whoever abandoned a half completed project.
_________________
2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter D.
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004
Posts: 718
Location: Stamford, CT
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| Braukuche wrote: |
The rust you see on that car is the tip of a massive iceberg.
Even the driest of Ghia are going to have some rust issues because of all the boxed structural areas, condensation causes then to rot from the inside out, so the car may look dry stripped but could be rusty as hell in the rockers, for example. |
So even if you bought one new and put it into dry storage for 50 years, chances are the heater channels and dog legs are starting to rot out? I know these cars were made with very little corrosion protection.
My last ghia was something that the previous owner welded badly. The doors were all out of whack and he covered rusty channels with a new rocker. I don't want to go down that road again!
_________________
2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12856
Location: North Carolina
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| Peter D. wrote: |
| Braukuche wrote: |
The rust you see on that car is the tip of a massive iceberg.
Even the driest of Ghia are going to have some rust issues because of all the boxed structural areas, condensation causes then to rot from the inside out, so the car may look dry stripped but could be rusty as hell in the rockers, for example. |
So even if you bought one new and put it into dry storage for 50 years, chances are the heater channels and dog legs are starting to rot out? I know these cars were made with very little corrosion protection.
My last ghia was something that the previous owner welded badly. The doors were all out of whack and he covered rusty channels with a new rocker. I don't want to go down that road again! |
Then I would definitely suggest passing on one that has 1/2" of bondo stripped away to show previous crappy attempts at rust repair.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| Peter D. wrote: |
| So even if you bought one new and put it into dry storage for 50 years, chances are the heater channels and dog legs are starting to rot out? |
It would be a real long shot to find an original rust-free Ghia in CT...unless it was brought in from CA or the Southwest. I would think that most vintage VWs in your area with good paint & body probably already had some rust repair work done. Not a bad thing at all if done properly.
The last Ghia I picked up would probably be considered 'rust-free'...although I've never looked inside the rockers to be absolutely sure. All original sheetmetal, solid floors, no visible rust anywhere. Original CA 'black plate' car.
So, they are out there...just be prepared to spend some time & effort to track one down.
| John Moxon wrote: |
| I bought from 5000 miles away with the help of other Ghia fans. |
| Peter D. wrote: |
| I know it's risky to pay too much for something that's rusty but there's also a risk in buying from someone who may have hidden rust and dents with gobs and gobs of bondo. I would have to rely on the reputation of whoever abandoned a half completed project. |
You might consider finding someone knowledgeable about bodywork to give you a second opinion on cars that you're considering. As I said, the body's the most spendy part of the car to put right...especially if you farm the work out. Spending a little cash up front on a pre-purchase inspection could save you thousands in repair costs.
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11004
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| Peter D. wrote: |
| Braukuche wrote: |
The rust you see on that car is the tip of a massive iceberg.
Even the driest of Ghia are going to have some rust issues because of all the boxed structural areas, condensation causes then to rot from the inside out, so the car may look dry stripped but could be rusty as hell in the rockers, for example. |
So even if you bought one new and put it into dry storage for 50 years, chances are the heater channels and dog legs are starting to rot out? I know these cars were made with very little corrosion protection.
My last ghia was something that the previous owner welded badly. The doors were all out of whack and he covered rusty channels with a new rocker. I don't want to go down that road again! |
Stored in a dry environment sure, but anything parked in an environment where there is humidity and ups and downs in temp is going to have condensation issues in boxed cavities.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9651
Location: Pearl River, NY
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
Peter, I've seen that '69 Ghia in the CL ad in person a few times in the past year. Owner is friendly, and was optimistic to try to perform body repairs while keeping the car on the road. Takes lots of guts to drive the car in New York City! It's at 2:24 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsenfqurx38 and at 0:10 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsc0BOYo9ws
Try to contact Samba member 67Vw2387. He has a few posts in the Ghia forum; seems to have a few Ghias at home and he's also in CT. Maybe he'd be interested to sell you one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| Peter D. wrote: |
I had a Ghia which I sold ten years ago. I didn't have the time or money to put into fixing it up back then (baby, moving into a house, etc)
I'm ready to take the plunge again and I have my eye on this one:
https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/d/1969-volkswagen-karmann-ghia/6444228179.html
It's probably rusty as hell underneath. Is $5k a good price these days for a complete and running Northeast Ghia with patchy repairs? Seems like it's worth less. |
That is a really strange alignment of those headlight "eyebrows", the way they appear to make the light shine off to either side rather than directly ahead.
Perhaps that's why there is a single driving light mounted pointing dead ahead on the front bumper. 
If the rust that you can see on the surface of a Karmann Ghia body is akin to the tip of an iceberg, then that Ghia must have a "rustberg" large enough to sink a Titanic sized ship.
Oh, it's all repairable if you've got either the skills/time or the $$$$.
It's just probably feels easier either way if you know the extent of the project you're getting yourself into before you actually make the purchase.
Good luck with everything, and enjoy the hunt. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NOVA Airhead
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
You should figure on replacing at least the lower 6 inches on each side of that car. Is that price a good price? I would say no but Ghias have been going up in value and I see prices all over the place.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
| KGCoupe wrote: |
| Peter D. wrote: |
I had a Ghia which I sold ten years ago. I didn't have the time or money to put into fixing it up back then (baby, moving into a house, etc)
I'm ready to take the plunge again and I have my eye on this one:
https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/d/1969-volkswagen-karmann-ghia/6444228179.html
It's probably rusty as hell underneath. Is $5k a good price these days for a complete and running Northeast Ghia with patchy repairs? Seems like it's worth less. |
That is a really strange alignment of those headlight "eyebrows", the way they appear to make the light shine off to either side rather than directly ahead.
Perhaps that's why there is a single driving light mounted pointing dead ahead on the front bumper.
|
I, for one, find those wonky "eyebrows" add to the unique charm of the vehicle.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PolarBearVW
Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2013
Posts: 291
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:39 am Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
I think head on they would give you that "mean" look rat rod flavor.
_________________
1974 Ghia Coupe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter D.
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004
Posts: 718
Location: Stamford, CT
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: Just Getting in Ghias (again) |
|
|
Well, there's a few of Ghia's for sale in CT. I had planned on seeing one tomorrow but my wife has other plans for me. LOL.
I saw another this morning that is probably more work than I'm willing to take on. In pictures it looks like it's primer ready. Woo-hoo! But when I saw it in person there were a lot of bad repairs done to the rockers and lower quarter panels on both sides of the rear wheels. Head light areas had bondo. The floor were completely shot. Worst of all, I think when they did the rockers they may have thrown off the door geometry. Or maybe the hinges were sagging. It was hard to tell and perhaps I don't want to find out!
On the good side it was a complete car with german bumpers and numbers matching transaxle, floor pan, and motor. The nose was in excellent shape too.
So most of the body work has to be redone. The rear shelf area was looking particularly crusty too. The mechanical parts I can handle but the body... gotta think this over. Going to check out the other maybe next week hopefully. This forum is an awesome resource. Getting lots of inspiration.
_________________
2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
