Author |
Message |
[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2021 Posts: 2 Location: AL
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:33 am Post subject: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
I've got a 65 convertible that's in great condition, and I have a 74 convertible that has a great chassis. Can the 65 body fit on the 74 chassis without too much modification? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Canghia Samba Member
Joined: June 27, 2017 Posts: 70 Location: Toronto Ontario
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:37 am Post subject: Re: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
I had a similar issue. But mine was only a year or two. I had a 69 chassis and got a good 70/71 body. I had no issues swapping the body onto the pan. In the case of a 74 you have a different bumper set up in the front and I believe the rear bumper mounts are different in the rear, gas tank filler, vents at your feet would be different, wiring. Its not like trying to put a 69 vert poor on a 74 or vice versa. Im sure someone here has done it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2021 Posts: 2 Location: AL
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
Thanks so much for the response! Those are good points about the bumpers and all. The 65 is stored in a garage 3 hours away so I can't crawl under it to compare the mounting with the 74 that's in my garage. That's the main reason I have the question. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rbsurfguy Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008 Posts: 1757 Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
You will also most likely have to register it as a 74 since they go by the number on the pan tunnel. But at least you'll have all the cool look of a 65 with the upgraded running gear of the 74, ball joint front end, IRS rear, etc. But I am sure there will be a few other mods you may need to make. Will be nice to see your work if you go for it. Be sure to post pics.
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= |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Braukuche Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 10965
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
Doing that swap will destroy the value. Early Ghia convertibles are valuable and worth doing right, including having the pans replaced. _________________ 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
1973 Ghia convertible |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Rome Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 9601 Location: Pearl River, NY
|
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
Quote: |
Can the 65 body fit on the 74 chassis without too much modification? |
Yes. The most involved modification is to cut and slightly raise the body mount in each rear wheelwell approx. 2" because the IRS' pan has a higher casting for the mount's bolt threads. This raising can be done in a few ways. Here's a good photo of the mount on a '63 Beetle (Ghia is same) which has been raised for mounting on an IRS pan (dnielsen gallery). But since the mount carries a significant portion of the body which cantilevers out rearwards, it needs to be securely welded to the body in the new position. There should also be an approx. 1/4" thick rubber spacer between the underside of the mount and the pan, missing here.
One of the only other modifications will be to replace the plastic single-chamber brake fluid reservoir with one that has 2 chambers, because the IRS' master cylinder is a dual-circuit.
After doing this body swap, your Ghia will look like a '67 due to the wider rear track, the flat hubcaps, no side reflectors (started with the 1968 model year) and the 4-bolt wheels that have the larger cooling slots. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Era Vulgaris Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012 Posts: 1662 Location: Raleigh, NC
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:25 am Post subject: Re: 65 convertible Ghia body on 74 convertible Ghia chassis? |
|
|
Since you have to take the body off anyway, just replace the floorpans. As mentioned you'll have to modify the rear mounts to put the 65 on a 74 pan, so you have metal work and welding to do in either case. Replace the floorpans, put the body back on, and you won't have ruined the car's value. _________________ Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|