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brooksinc1976 Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2014 Posts: 140 Location: Pasadena
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 7:19 pm Post subject: '72 Convertible Top |
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Really wasn't planning on rebuilding the top but here I am. I need some big help. Mainly where do I start and where do I get good parts? These pics sux I'll get better when I get over to the interior shop tomorrow. Should I pull the frame off or leave it on to mess with? Thanks. Many more questions/pics to follow.
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cwatts Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2010 Posts: 45 Location: Piambong NSW Australia
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: '72 very top |
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Just doing my hood at the moment and have ordered and received a shipment from Chuck’s Convertibles - new bows and a bunch of other items. Loved the quality of the bows, they are beautiful and although early days I do not see much to modify to fit. Take the hood off, clean it up, replace bolts and plates etc, trial fit, remove and paint - then final fit and follow these instructions...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0 |
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cwatts Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2010 Posts: 45 Location: Piambong NSW Australia
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: '72 very top |
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Sorry my mistake...
Follow these awesome instructions - many thanks Ghiaaddict from those of us who have read your post over and over again. From my side you have given me (rightly or wrongly) the confidence to do this and your guidance is muchly appreciated!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0 |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 11:33 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Convertible Top |
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I haven't rebuilt mine just Yet but it is something that I will need to do.
The frame is like an angry octopus when it is not fastened into the Ghia.
Leave it in right now and spray every joint, screw, bolt and pivot point with a rust buster product.
Slowly work the top up and down being 100% sure that bits are moving and pivoting...... not bending!
Once it is freely working evaluate if you need to media blast it before paint or just sand and paint the frame. The frame needs to be a smooth painted surface for the top rubs against it and some parts are glued to the frame as well.
It is quite easy to remove the topless frame for paint, just six bolts, three on each side just inside the door....... you will need a 17mm wrench/socket. If you still have them there are plastic side panels that are covering the mechanism. These are often brittle and fragile...... and expensive!
Be very nice to them!
The glass bumpers, the seat belt upper mount and a number of screws need to be removed first.
I have used Chuck's Convertible in the past when I worked on my old Super Beetle top.
A nicer, more honest or more helpful person you will not find.
Yes, other retailers will sell you parts, maybe even a dollar or two cheaper, but Chuck KNOWS these tops and will offer his customers help and advice.
My experience was that he has a decent inventory of used parts too. You need something? Just ask.
Plan on spending $1200, possibly more on parts for this project. If it us badly worn possibly more depending on your individual needs.
M&T among others sell Convertible Parts too.
Post lots of photos for us to enjoy!
Have fun!
Dave _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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brooksinc1976 Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2014 Posts: 140 Location: Pasadena
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Convertible Top |
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Not too bad. Gonna need the front wood and a hook. Can you get a replacement spring for the back window?
Thc |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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sputnick60 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007 Posts: 3907 Location: In Molinya Orbit
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Convertible Top |
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Having done this job, and it is a bear of a job......
........ I would recommend this approach
1/ remove the frame off the car.
2/ disassemble the frame and clean every part of it.
3/ paint every metal part with primer and top coat ( black or anthracite)
4/ replace all the rubber and bushes on the frame
5/ refurbish the front bow as much as possible and coat it with Epoxy
6/ reinstall the frame on the car paying action to the setup per the body manual
7/ install the door rubbers and align the windows to seal on the frame correctly
8/ proceed with the head liner padding and roof installation.
But if you don't need to that thorough at least replace all the rubber and bushes
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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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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kman Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2005 Posts: 739 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 9:29 am Post subject: Re: '72 Convertible Top |
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The only money I spent on mine was for the top. I made a bunch of the parts myself including most of the wood bows, some of the frame linkages and arms and some bushings. I also made a rear window hinge. _________________ 71 vert build. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=572951&highlight=dead |
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NOVA Airhead Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005 Posts: 5221 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:16 am Post subject: Re: '72 Convertible Top |
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There are several threads in the stickies on convertible top repair:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=433752
As for that latch. These things are like a swiss watch in their precision and complexity. They are also easy to break. As far as I know they cannot be repaired...or at least they are not easy to repair.
KGPR has repros from time to time but they are not cheap.
I did my top without ever having done one before by following these instructions.
Good Luck! _________________ Ghia Owner Emeritus |
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brooksinc1976 Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2014 Posts: 140 Location: Pasadena
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Convertible Top |
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Yes It's at an interior shop, once he saw the wood bows he called because that was outside of the quote. I guess my biggest question is if it is functioning properly should I clean it up and paint it on the car and just fix the bow and that hook or should I pull it off and do a major rehab? |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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