O Ghia's Restoration Journey

[Marcdeb]

[moogie32]

[rbsurfguy]

[Marcdeb]

This will definitely not be a trailer queen. I plan to drive it as much as possible during our short Vermont summers.
That is as long as it's not raining! I don't think the top will be up very often!
_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc

[KGCoupe]

It's been said before, but somehow seems worth repeating - Thank Goodness you bought a Ghia that only needed a cabriolet top!
Can you imagine all the effort and expense that you would have had to go through if you had bought a Karmann Ghia that needed a lot of work!

Looks awesome now, though - I agree completely with you on what a classic look that color combination evokes.
Great choices.

[Marcdeb]

[Marcdeb]

Time to order tires. I've read many threads but before I commit, I could use some advice. Just want to make sure I'm getting the right tires.

I am thinking of staying with stock tires and rims. However the PO installed what he called "Stock 5.5 Chromies" - if there is such a thing. They look great so I need to decide if I will stay with the chromies or get original painted 4.5' wheels.

The tires I am planning to order are 155/80R15 with narrow white wall. My question is how does the difference between 4.5 and 5.5 rims affect ride and handling if all else stays the same? Is one size wheel a better choice than the other with this tire?
_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc

[Ian Godfrey]

155R15 are a good fit on the 4.5" rims. On a 5.5 the tyres will be a little stretched and the ride will be firmer. The tyres 'might' handle a bit better on the 5.5 rim but I think much more would come down to the stickeness of the tyre. I have used michelins and pirellies in 155. the michelin XAS is quite sticky but pricey.
there is a new tyre around: 'Blockley' in this size that looks good too, but I haven't tried them.
a 155 on a 4.5 rim fits very nicely in the front as well

[Marcdeb]

[Rome]

[Marcdeb]

[Rome]

165's on 4.5" wheels appear to be a very tight fit for the spare tire. Others here on this topic have varied experiences, probably based on the "bulginess" of the 165 tire. On my '64 Ghia I have a 4.0" wheel and an old 560x15 bias-ply tire which fits just fine (snug), because that was the original combination. You could locate a 4-bolt 4.0" wheel from a '68 thru '71 Beetle, paint it with chrome-look spray paint and install a 155/80 tire. That would fit easily into the well, and still be a safe wheel for driving in case you need it on the road. Problem then will be where to put the current chromie wheel and its 165 tire if it does not fit into the well?

[Marcdeb]

If needed the bad tire can go in the back seat area. I'm quite certain I won't ever have any people back there.
The spare I have might very well be a 4 inch?? I just looked at it expecting to find some markings or at least a part number but i find nothing on front or back? The tire on it is a very old and worthless 5.60 15 but it fits in the spare tire well perfectly.

You've been very helpful Rome. I appreciate it.
_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc

[Ian Godfrey]

being on the other side of the world our time zones are out to have a good conversation, so I'm late back
Michelin 165 on 4.5 wouldn't fit in the front unless I let the pressure down.
I don't know if 5.5's will fit in the front but i'm doubtful.
Blockey use the speed rating in the tyre size which confuses the search.
155HR15 https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/155hr15
same in a white wall https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/155hr15-white-wall
and in 165VR15 https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/165vr15
the wheels for Ghia are a different offset to a beetle, so it's worth trying to find the correct ones.
eg.1972 Ghias have ET46. There are also ET41 and ET34 wheels. the smaller number is a deeper dish looking from the outside. usually the size and offset (ET) is stamped on the flats between the lug bolts looking from the outside.

[Marcdeb]

[Braukuche]

I have 165s on my stock wheels and a 155 for the spare, which fits fine in that tight space.
_________________
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

[Marcdeb]

[Marcdeb]

While I'm waiting for the car's paint to be completed, I decided to keep busy with some small projects.
The front mud guards for the Ghia are in remarkably nice shape but one is missing some metal due to 50 years of rust.
I have worked with wood all my life, but never really got the bug to try metal working until now. It's been fun to learn a new skill.
I am using original scrap metal from another Ghia, and following techniques that I've seen used here in various threads.

I made relief cuts in the metal to make the curve in the angled metal.

And after about 30 minutes of shaping and grinding, I have a good replacement for the rusted metal.
I'll have Bill weld and sand blast it. Then I'll prime and paint it.

_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc

[Trylon]

I bet it even has good tone!
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire

More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel!

[Marcdeb]