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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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 Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 1:23 am Post subject: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Hello all,
As I always loved reading build thread, I decided to take the time and document my journey here too.
A bit of background: I am a 30 years old french mechanical engineer living in Germany that felt in love with metal shaping. I always wanted a ghia and was already part of the local club as much as collecting everything I can about this car before getting one.
My first aircooled is a 62 ragtop bug I bought 4 years ago as a barn find and it is now enjoyed every day when there is no salt on the roads.
But back to this topic: I bought in September 2017 a 60 (sept 59) strato blue ghia here on the samba. Originally from Portland, Oregon but I bought it already imported. As the pictures were showing, it was in poor condition (and still is..) but I decided to save it. It will end up as a vintage/oldspeed restored ghia.
Here is a picture from the ad:
And when it came home:
I am of course already much further, and doings as much as I can (I’m a father of a young boy) to finish it for Hessisch Oldendorf 2021.
I will bring the thread up to the actual stand in the next days.
Antoine |
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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14169
Location: Southampton U.K.
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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:32 am Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Hi John,
Thanks a lot! I know about all the one year only parts and I am slowly collecting them. I will put some more infos here. 
About the color: it's the original colour, L364, as confirmed by the birth certificate. Can also be seen as a 60 color on your link 
Edit: here a picture of the birth certificate:
The vintage speed is not fixed yet (only do I know that I dream about a sebring style exhaust), focus is first on the frame and body restoration.
Antoine
Last edited by TRS63 on Fri Feb 08, 2019 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14169
Location: Southampton U.K.
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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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No problem at all
So, after its arrival, I did a bit of disassembly and created some reinforcement to "replace" the doors:
And then it was time to build a dolly and take off the body:
Now you can enjoy the view on the terrible fiberglass pan riveted by the previous owner  
Stay tuned!
Antoine |
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jeffrey8164
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 4104
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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You’re off to a good start.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
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rbsurfguy
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008
Posts: 1778
Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Awesome, Welcome Antoine!!!! Can't wait to see what you do to this Ghia.
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold
See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight= |
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GHIA
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2005
Posts: 359
Location: FRANCE
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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| Allez Antoine on attend la suite. |
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Inchpincher61
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2016
Posts: 151
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Awesome project but a lot of work!!
I am excited to see the resurrection of that beauty...for me its some kind of a time travel...I was at the same point about two years ago but its worth it so "stay tuned" |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11178
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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1960 is the best of the high light models. Has lots of lowlight features, the bulkhead mat, lowlight style door panels, 36hp, crashbox, screw terminals on the earlier models...of course that's also. What makes them expensive to restore accurately.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
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
1989 Westfalia |
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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:56 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Thanks to all of you!
Braukuche, I think the same, which is why I want to save this one! 
Ghia: je vais aussi faire des update côté français, promis!
Inchpincher61: I don't know where in Germany you are but if you come to Stuttgart, please "Komm vorbei"
So, the next update
I first decided to start on the frame, removing the undercoat:
And then preparing to its opening as the fuel line was untight:
Opened!
Then it was time to change all the rusted lines and close it back..
Of course with rust protection!
Closed:
And protected:
Stay tuned
Antoine |
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 4087
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Thanks a lot Nicholas, that means a lot to me!
I am trying to do my best on it, doesn't want to do a show car but a (really) nice driver
So, I have a bit of time for an update
Now that the bottom was ready, time to turn the frame and do the same, clean and primed:
And then I started to adjust the half pan:
Used the future heater channel to adjust:
And then after cleaning/primering the half pan, it was time to weld them:
I also finished to clean/put in primer the back end:
To be continued 
Antoine |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8231
Location: San Dimas
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kiwighia68
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2013
Posts: 2925
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Definitely a sticky, please Mr Moderator. The work on the tunnel deserves a sticky on its own.
Unbelievable detail and thoroughness.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015 |
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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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Thanks a lot guys, it really means a lot to me! I will of course continue to document it. I am also already a bit further, as soon as this thread is up to date it will be sadly slower on updates
Well, as I am already here, I can also show you some of the parts I already found/bought
I got myself some NOS front fender panels:
The 60 only rear light backplate:
The 60 only nose grill with their 3 screws:
A NOS indicator switch:
And 1 NOS and 1 good used chrom trim for the door, also a 60 only part:
Of course, if any of you has a 60 only part (incl. the ones I already got) and wants to sell it, please send me a pm
I will update more this weekend, stay tuned!
Antoine |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8231
Location: San Dimas
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TRS63
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017
Posts: 1123
Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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| c21darrel wrote: |
I can see we are going to learn a lot on this one.
Did not know about 3 screw air intakes. Did know about the door trim. What makes the tail light holders 60 only? |
They are not with connectors, the wiring is connected using screws
Antoine |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11178
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: Restoration thread: my 60 strato blue coupe |
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When I did my 60 it drove me nuts that I couldnt get the right scraper for it. Hopefully you have better luck.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone open the tunnel and replace the tubes and clean it out. most people just cut a flap and bend it back to access whatever is broken and then just bend it back sort of and leave it. Nice job!
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
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
1989 Westfalia |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8231
Location: San Dimas
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. 1960 last year for screw connectors. Well, said we were going to learn on this one