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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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 Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 4:46 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| mg50 wrote: |
| Do you use contact cement to hold the tar board down? |
No, it isn't necessary. Between the tunnel, the dog leg, the rocker, and the seat tracks, it fits snug with nowhere to go. And unlike the original VW tarboard, it's pretty weighty, so it holds itself down.
I also didn't want to glue anything to the floorpan so that if there is ever a leak I could take the floormats, jute, and tarboard out to dry everything off.
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:50 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Last month I had picked up an original 356 B/C VDM wheel with the intent of installing it in my car, and found that it would require permanently altering the wheel to add a hub adapter. Ultimately I decided against modifying an original wheel. I had started a thread on it here.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=788552&highlight=
So, that didn't work out, but I did love the look of the wheel. So instead, I picked up a smaller 400mm reproduction of the VDM wheel, which comes with a billet hub adapter for type 1's. I also custom made a Wolfsburg horn button for it. Sadly, it obviously doesn't have the real life 356 history that the original wheel had. But, I think it looks great with my car's interior, almost like it could've come from the factory this way. And honestly, I find a 400mm wheel much preferable to the large 420mm size of the original. Plus it's brand new and shiny  Quality is excellent, and the wheel has a nice weighted feel to it.
_________________
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 |
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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3039
Location: Vermont
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mg50 
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2022
Posts: 649
Location: Southeast
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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That looks outstanding.
I need a new wheel and have been looking at those imported reproductions that everyone sells. Dreading getting into trying to fit one after reading threads about problems to solve. Such as the need to remove the early model cancellation ring and replace with a 1971 and later horn contact cancellation ring and then tweak.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle & 1971 Karmann Ghia
engine rebuild: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775424&highlight= |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:36 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| mg50 wrote: |
That looks outstanding.
I need a new wheel and have been looking at those imported reproductions that everyone sells. Dreading getting into trying to fit one after reading threads about problems to solve. Such as the need to remove the early model cancellation ring and replace with a 1971 and later horn contact cancellation ring and then tweak. |
Thanks!
I bought this wheel direct from Thailand. No mods necessary to install it.
https://www.mswsteeringwheel.com/
The owner of the company is named is Chung, and I found him very helpful and courteous, answering my many questions without ever pressuring me to buy.
He's got a couple of really great feedback reviews here on the Samba, which gave me the confidence to make the purchase. Admittedly only two reviews total (well, 3 now with mine), but all positive.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=645912
I'll warn you that you should be sitting down when you convert the Thai Baht to USD, but IMO totally worth it. It got here in less than a week from the time I ordered it.
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:17 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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I got started on reupholstering my seats yesterday. I spent alot of time studying kingkarmann's excellent thread where he re-stuffs his original seats to see how the factory installed the upholstery.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=777661&highlight=seat
My brick red seat covers by Sewfine. I decided to do a slight backdate, and use the 58-60 style pattern which I like better than the stock 61-67 style.
Found this original sticker on the bottom of the coconut pad after removing my seats from the car.
And after pulling off the aftermarket seat covers, I found the remains of the original covers, which had been re-stuffed (actually a bit over-stuffed) and then subsequently ripped.
I removed the original coconut pads, and used hog rings to secure some thick fabric to the seat frames.
The original pads were still in pretty good shape, so I opted to re-use them as a base for the padding.
I had bought new foam padding from Sewfine, but when these seats got re-upholstered by a previous owner, someone had already added some additional foam padding to them. There was also a bunch of stuffing, like you'd use to fill a stuffed animal, which gave them the over-stuffed look. I decided to re-use this foam (but not the stuffing), since it was already shaped and formed to the contours of the seat. I'll probably put the Sewfine foam up for sale in the classifieds if anyone is looking for some.
Now the fun part. I started by running thread laterally across the seat cover where the pull seam would be, through the padding webbing as the factory had done.
But rather than looping the pull-down threads that go through the seat pad around this lateral thread only (like the factory did), I also ran them through the sewn seam of my hidden-stitch pleats for extra holding strength. The needle Sewfine gave me was about 10" long, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't accidentally stab my hand a couple times with it!
Running the pull down threads through the seat cover after labeling where they'll be. I also covered the padding in plastic, to hold the padding in place and prevent any further coconut material from falling out, and to make installing the seat cover easier.
The threads running down through the frame. I didn't tie them down tight yet at this point.
Seat cover goes on. Thankfully all of my seat's spike tabs were still in place, and the metal wire that goes through the rear of the seat cover was still with them as well, and I installed them into the new seat covers. This is where the install of most aftermarket seat covers stops. But mine have one more step to go.
After pulling all the threads tight and tying them down. I'm pretty happy with how these turned out. Not too bad for my first time doing this, I think. Next up is the backrests.
_________________
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 |
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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3039
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Your seat bottoms look fantastic. Nice job, especially for a first time around. I'm working on the drivers seat in my 68 so your post along with Kingkarmann's really helped me to understand how to go about putting it back together.
Thanks,
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:45 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Marcdeb wrote: |
Your seat bottoms look fantastic. Nice job, especially for a first time around. I'm working on the drivers seat in my 68 so your post along with Kingkarmann's really helped me to understand how to go about putting it back together.
Thanks, |
Thanks! Glad my post could be of help. For those of us here who aren't professional restorers, we're all just learning from each other's experiences, so if a post can help someone else keep their car going, that's what it's all about!
One thing I didn't mention in my post above, was the process of getting the seat cover onto the seat frame. I didn't get a pic because it required all 4 of my limbs. This might be of help as well.
First install the cover over the pad and frame. Then with the seat upside down, I put a gardening knee pad on the springs and knelt on the seat frame with my entire body weight to compress the springs. I then pulled the front of the seat cover over the spike tabs first, then turned it around and pulled the rear over the spikes tabs, then pulled the sides into the metal slots on the side last. Once the seat cover is secure, bend the spike tabs back down, and gently hammer the slots on the sides closed.
_________________
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 |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11005
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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That red on blue is going to look killer. Reminds me of the 356 Porsches color combos with blue and red interiors. Did you ever consider having the dash upholstered in red?
_________________
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 |
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Olli from NJ
Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2007
Posts: 302
Location: Milton,DE
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:45 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Outstanding work! Beautiful.
Olli |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 7:20 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Braukuche wrote: |
| Did you ever consider having the dash upholstered in red? |
I did, and that was actually my initial plan. But after covering the rear parcel shelf, the rear seat surround, and the windlace, I didn't have enough left of the brick red yard I'd bought to do the dash. Not knowing at the time if I'd be successful in re-covering the dash, I didn't want to spend $80 on another yard. The black pebble grain vinyl that I used for it was like $12/yard, so I opted for the safer gamble. Maybe on the next one, now that I know I can do it. Or, maybe after the car is done and I get bored because there's no more projects to do on it, I'll pull the dash and re-do it.
I'm also really considering getting a 60 ribbed dash top, which would kind of go with my seat cover backdate. I contacted Jerry Heldt but unfortunately he can't make them anymore due to an equipment failure. But California Classics in the UK does make a nice looking one.
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 7:20 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Olli from NJ wrote: |
Outstanding work! Beautiful.
Olli |
Thanks!
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Chipping away at the interior. Front seats are done and installed.
_________________
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
Last edited by Era Vulgaris on Tue Mar 19, 2024 12:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11072
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11005
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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I love it, Custom, but how Karmann should have done it!
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| obus wrote: |
| flipping beautiful!! |
Thanks man! I have to say these Sewfine seat covers were really a joy to work with, although to be fair I have no other point of reference 
If I do another Ghia I'll definitely use them again. The employees I interacted with were really nice. Brick red is not a color they offer, and they were happy to order it just for me from TMI. And I also had them make me a rear seat cover with no pleats, as is factory correct for 66 and earlier but that they don't normally do, and they were totally cool with all my custom requests.
Honestly if someone wanted to pay me to upholster Ghia seats all day with these seat covers, I would take the job! It was really weirdly enjoyable to do.
_________________
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
Last edited by Era Vulgaris on Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Braukuche wrote: |
| I love it, Custom, but how Karmann should have done it! |
Thanks man. Yes, exactly! As I'm going along I'm finding myself taking the best bits from different years, like a greatest hits compilation
_________________
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 |
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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3039
Location: Vermont
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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| Marcdeb wrote: |
| Seats look fantastic. Nice to see those pleats since so many leave them out. Color combination is very attractive. |
Thanks! There's no way I'd leave those pleats out. It's what lead me to Sewfine in the first place. I might be wrong but I don't think from what I've seen online that TMI adds inner padding to their seat covers, that would allow you to sew them in.
_________________
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 |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Ghia coupe restoration |
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Finished upholstering the rear seat today after work, and got it installed. I'm still waiting on the little white rubber holding strap and its chrome cover plate to arrive from KGPR.
Upholstering the rear seat is such a different experience from the fronts. It's basically like, get a staple gun and go nuts with it!
_________________
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
Last edited by Era Vulgaris on Tue Mar 19, 2024 12:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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