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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 12521
Location: Southampton U.K.
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 Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:19 am Post subject: John Moxon's Lowlight from 1958 |
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Well here's my new car 
Some of you will recognise it from a previous posting when it was offered on The Bay Area Craigslist. It's a one owner car...well two now that I've bought it but let's not nit-pick.
The top picture is how it is now and the bottom, photoshopped with whitewalls and minus the horrible decklid stop light.
The interior has been redone some years ago and it looks pretty good.
I have to say I wouldn't be the owner now if it wasn't for my good friend Dan Mercer who put me onto the car and to Scott Doonan who enthusiastically went at short notice to check the car over for me. BIG props to you both...I love you guys ...and of course to Dave Ruby for giving his, as usual informative assessment, Rockstock, Wiggy and Rinie for their encouragement.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Last edited by John Moxon on Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:03 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Kais Collection
vintage treasures
Joined: February 18, 2005
Posts: 1565
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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DONGKG
The Araneta Boys
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 5448
Location: Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, "A Certified Type 3 and Karmann Ghia Maniac"
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:07 am Post subject: |
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Boy oh boy, that Karmann Ghia lowlight is looking really sweet. Your rendition of its furture look is striking the most. And, of course, your lowlight will surely look fantastic with those whiteside walls installed (and of course with the removal of that alien-like third light, ha ha ha- just for laughts).
And, and, the interior is also a sight to behold. The color combination of the interior really matches the black finish outside. Nice find. How I wish I had a lowlight too. But, my '67 KG Cabrio fine with me (as for now), because there are only a few lowlights that reached the shores of the Philippines.
About 20 years ago (I was still in college), I was suppose to buy a lowlight KG. But my offer was too low and I had no money for the counter-offer of the owner. Hence, the deal was a deadlock. It turned out after a couple of years that the lowlight KG got into the hands of a Junk yard wrecker. What a F_ _ K! My heart broke when I returned to that place and asked the owner about his KG. I was ready to buy that lowlight KG - huuhhh! I wanted to kill him that time. For some twist of fate, I did not kill him (ha ha ha). It was a nightmare, indeed, remembering that moment that I almoat had a lowlight. 
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'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20 |
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udo dreisoerner
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2005
Posts: 910
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:41 am Post subject: |
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hi john,
congrats for your lowlight. it looks very very nice, i like tha black ghias.
greets, udo
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Searching for a 1956 lowlight karmann ghia with a VIN number between1273054 and 1273440, and the matching engine with an Engine Number between
1525510 and 1525519 PLEASE OFFER ME ONLY THE CARS THAT I'M LOOKING FOR, THANKS!! |
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1958ghia
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2001
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:30 am Post subject: |
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| Lookin' good John! I do like the black too, definitely needs some big whitewalls on there though, you are right! Have fun with it! |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 7530
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:58 am Post subject: |
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Very nice looking.
--Dan |
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Wiggy
Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2003
Posts: 6561
Location: Downingtown, PA
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70 140
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2002
Posts: 8468
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Cool Car John. It looks like it has been used and enjoyed, which is really cool. What are your plans for it? I'm sure it involves some form of supercharger  |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 12521
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:00 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the compliments guys. It's the proverbial "one lady owner from new" car. Bought by Betty when planning her vacation to Germany and France in 1957.
She found that the cheapest way to rent a car for her vacation was in fact to order a Karmann Ghia and pick it up in Germany. She tells me, by the time it came to pick up her car for her vacation they'd given her the newer model...the '58 Model.
She had a great vacation in Germany and France and then had the car shipped to California where she drove "my baby" as she calls it for the next 49 years.
It's a good solid, no rust car as you can see from the pictures. It's also something of a responsibility to take on "Betty's Baby" as just the second owner in all that time. I shall be giving the subject quite a bit of thought over the next 4 weeks while it makes its way to me.
Needless to say there will be a few cosmetic renovations but nothing drastic. As for engines and superchargers...I'll be looking at all the options.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Last edited by John Moxon on Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:34 am; edited 2 times in total |
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KG1965
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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That is a hell of a lowlight Ghia. Congrats !!
Hope to add one to my collection in the near future.
Saw one in Germany for sale, see this link: http://www.mobile.de/SIDlnjYCTZp4vCDUPTtMAGI1Q-t-v...86740&
Someone in Germany knows this car?
_________________
1958 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1961 Karmann Ghia Cabrio (sold)
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe (sold)
1963 Karmann Ghia Type 34
1968 Karmann Ghia Type 34 |
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Paul_Revere's Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2007
Posts: 973
Location: South Wales, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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Nice car!! You gotta love a lowlight- Just the way you got it in the photoshopped pic. except.....
...Slam it  |
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58lolight
Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2006
Posts: 781
Location: Ct
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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John,
What a very nice find. I dont think I am alone in being very envious of your purchase. Congrats on a great car. I cant wait to see the follow up pics after it is in your hands. I wish that one of my three Lowlights looked as nice as your 58.
Good luck!!!
Rich |
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snookerdude
Samba Member
Joined: June 30, 2004
Posts: 914
Location: central florida
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject: 58 |
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| my 1st ghia was a 58 coupe and it was black. it was nice but not really beautiful. it needed a paint job. cost me $150. in 1967. black is my favorite color. but i like it better with the wide white walls. it is a pleasing contrast to the rest of the car. |
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56GoldeGhia
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2006
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:34 am Post subject: |
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Wow John, what a great car!!
It is so rare to own a car with a complete history and how many people can say that they are the second owner!
I am sure it will look as sweet as your bug when you get your hands on it!
What a score. I love it.
Isn't this a great forum! It gives you lots of opportunities to get in contact with the right people and to find the things you are looking for.
Enjoy the car, John!
Regards,
Rinie |
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The aussie Trimmer
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2006
Posts: 322
Location: Western Australia
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:04 am Post subject: Re: My Lowlight from 1958 |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
Well here's my new car
The interior has been redone some years ago and it looks pretty good.
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Nice acquisition John, she looks to be in great condition for an old girl. When you have come back to earth, after salivating over her, and have had time to consider all the options. Please keep us in mind to bring the interior, back to the correct factory configuration for you.
Kev. |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 12521
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| 56GoldeGhia wrote: |
Wow John, what a great car!!
It is so rare to own a car with a complete history and how many people can say that they are the second owner!
I am sure it will look as sweet as your bug when you get your hands on it!
What a score. I love it.
Isn't this a great forum! It gives you lots of opportunities to get in contact with the right people and to find the things you are looking for.
Enjoy the car, John!
Regards,
Rinie |
You're right Rinie about the car with a complete history...it gives me as much a buzz as I would have got from that Golde Ghia...maybe more  The Ghia Forum is awesome...I'm totally hooked.
| The aussie Trimmer wrote: |
Please keep us in mind to bring the interior, back to the correct factory configuration for you.
Kev. |
I certainly will Kev. I know your attention to detail is second to none.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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gatorjos
Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2003
Posts: 406
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
She had a great vacation in Germany and France and then had the car shipped to California where she drove "my baby" as she calls it for the next 49 years.
It's a good solid, no rust car as you can see from the pictures. It's also something of a responsibility to take on "Betty's Baby" as just the second owner in all that time. I shall be giving the subject quite a bit of though over the next 4 weeks while it makes its way to me.
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That's unheard of - second owner on that vintage Ghia - Congratulations!
_________________
1977 Westfalia Weekender Berlin "The Kitebus" aka " Colonel Mustard"
Previous romances:
1972 Ghia cabriolet (full body-off restoration -- stolen after five years of ownership)
2004 Passat 1.8T (manual)
http://21stcenturyhobo.com |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 12521
Location: Southampton U.K.
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 12521
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:51 am Post subject: Previous owner |
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This is a picture of Betty at Marina Green, San Francisco. Betty is the previous owner of my '58. We've spoken quite a few times on the phone since buying her "Baby" and she's a lovely lady.
Betty and her Ghia are well known in the Berkeley area. She is, as you can see is an artist and still teaches Watercolour in Berkeley.
The Ghia was always a signpost to her former pupils she tells me. If they saw the car at some location around The Bay they knew Betty would be nearby painting the scenic view and they would stop off to pass the time of day. Sadly that won't happen now she has a Ford.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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RockStock
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2004
Posts: 3240
Location: England
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:13 am Post subject: |
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very cool! keep posting any new/old pics up
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-StockRocks- |
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