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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 10:34 pm Post subject: 1959 "patina" build |
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This Ghia popped up here on samba around the beginning of April for a very fair price or trade for a running and driving bug, I just happen have a 1970 bug that I was using as my daily driver for the last year and it was a had never let me down as I went through the mechanics 100 percent making it a dialed driver. He was interested in my bug so I made the 30 hour drive to Norcal to pick up this Ghia and bring it home with me to Phoenix. Now before you say who would trade a lowlight Ghia for a 1970 bug? The person who cares more about the Vw passion and people than the almighty dollar that ultimately runs today's society.
This is a 1959 ghia that has been sitting in a field in northern calfornia since at least 1976. over the years it seems to have had the windows broken out, tail lights and front bullets lenses and chrome rings taken or broken. The dash is all cut up unfortunately and correct steering wheel is missing and dash items there seized up.
It is rusty the pans and seat tracks are toast and will need replaced. The rockers are actually not bad other than mudwasp nests in the front inner fender wells rusted from inside out pretty bad. I will be pulling the body off the pan to install new halfs at some point I will have to post all the rust pictures later.
So far in the few weeks ive had it ive found some good og tail lights and both front bullets lenses and retaining rings. Popped out the big dent on the side thanks to my buddy installed 4 solid trim rings and now can stare at it for the next few months while I gather more parts. I will update this as often as I can but for almost daily updates check out my instagram @deluxelowlightghia
As found
On the trailer
Off in the driveway with new friends
Now at my shop
Hanging with my 57
And my 61 DD panel
_________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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udo dreisoerner Samba Member

Joined: February 13, 2005 Posts: 1187 Location: Germany
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 12:15 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh, lowlight _________________ 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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PeteSC Samba Member

Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 902
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 5:07 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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Very nice! Look forward to following along. |
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8223 Location: San Dimas
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calexican Samba Member

Joined: June 11, 2008 Posts: 733 Location: El Paso, TX
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 5:51 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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This is great! I saw you over on IG and have been following you here too. My car was in very similar shape, had been sitting since 1977, well at least that was when it was last registered... I’m pretty sure the po used the car as a farm vehicle... |
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Marcdeb Samba Member

Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3211 Location: Vermont
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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 10:03 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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Heres some rust photos
Inner front fenders had mud wasp nests on both sides rusted from the inside out
lower right rear quarter is totally rusted out
but the battery tray is near perfect
Total bummer the dash is hacked up
I had to cut the remaining seat part out of the ghia to try and save the seat tracks with no luck as they are to rusty (I forgot the pic)
I parted out a 59 about 10 years ago and have been saving these seats since
I also changed out the front grills for the correct style
For sitting out for the last 40+ years with no windows its not that bad I have seen worse _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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jeffrey8164 Samba Member

Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 4008 Location: Georgia
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 10:32 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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So now what? _________________ 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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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:14 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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jeffrey8164 wrote: |
So now what? |
I am hoping to order the new pans soon and then pull the body off to restore the pan _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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udo dreisoerner Samba Member

Joined: February 13, 2005 Posts: 1187 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:23 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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lowlights are fantastic _________________ 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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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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I would trade this 59 for a 60-62 patina ghia coupe or vert project
Lowlights are fantastic but ive never had a later early ghia _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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ghiatin Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles,CA
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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Still got that low light? I have a 59 That’s been waiting on the back burner since 02. Need to get some pans, tail lights, front signals, and a headlight ring and trim oh yeah and body work!
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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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I do and actually picked a 61 Ghia as well so I think I’m set on projects for the next few years lol _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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Here’s some current stuff. It’s been a slow process but I’ve nearly collected all the needed parts just need some solid time to really dive into this
I got a 58 wheel for this 59
_________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:55 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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I have now original floor pan halfs and all the glass for this car. It really is a bunch of time I now need to devote to this project and it will be a driver.
Should I powder coat or paint the chassis before reassembly?
I have a split case trans and got the 36 hp motor that was in the car to run
By the end of 2023 I should have this a driver pretty excited about that _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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sputnick60 Samba Moderator

Joined: July 22, 2007 Posts: 4061 Location: In Molinya Orbit
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 11:28 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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I haven't had much luck with powder coat. It doesn't bond to the metal and when it cracks, water will creep in with capillary action causing the worst corrosion.
At work I'm responsible for a diesel backup generator at a remote site. It's built into a silenced galvanised steel box but the powder coating cracked at the lift points and after three years in the salty air has rusted to where sections of metal need to be replaced.
Better to strip the pan metal (alkaline or acid dip} have it properly neutralised then paint with an primer that properly bonds to the metal. After that, proceed with the other protective coats and final colour. Use paint from the same manufacturer and from the same paint system.
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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TRS63 Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2017 Posts: 1088 Location: Stuttgart - Germany
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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member

Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 7:02 am Post subject: Re: 1959 "patina" build |
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Drove it home for the first time tonight.
I rebuilt the entire brake system with new wheel cylinders soft lines and a couple hard lines.
I did not restore the chassis just ran a new stainless fuel line some minor wiring to get headlights taillights and brake lights working and we off and cruising. More then likely I will have to post forsale soon as I have some personal stuff going on and having 10 cars is getting to be a handful _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
“57 factory safari 11 window”
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
74 thing
75 half bug |
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