Cost of restoration

[Grumpy_one]

I know this is a VERY open question and a LOT of variables involved, but because I don't have a shop, I'm about to pay someone to restore my wife's 64 Ghia. If anyone knows someone in the Portland OR area, I'm all ears. Not really on a budget, in other words not going cheap, but I would like to keep it around 20k. The car has been sitting, and it's in sad shape, it's her college car and it's time to get it back into a restored shape. Let me know if my number is doable, am I in the right ball park. Thanks.

[kent70ghia]

I have a 70 Ghia in Tacoma, and scratched my right door and quarter panel, a good paint job is about 20K alone. Thanks Hagerty! Not sure who is doing your resto, I know there are several shops in that area. House of Ghia has a great reputation. If you are not already a member of NWdubs on facebook, i would join. They are a very active group, mostly in the Portland area. Best of luck on the restoration!

[Grumpy_one]

[dingerjunkie]

I guess it is really a question of restoration level/quality.

If "restored" means factory-state paint quality and such, or daily-driver quality, then $20K is a reasonable ceiling even if starting from a roller if you're doing a good bit of the work.

If "restored" means you could take it and win a ribbon at a VW show weekend, then yeah...open the checkbook.

Honestly, I'm seeing a great deal of "over-restored" cars here, because this is the community of the extremely passionate. I've had to reel myself back in on the current project for my son for just that reason.

Unfortunately, it is getting harder to find things like paint and bodywork that is in the "good enough" middle ground. Nasty, Maaco-level paint? sure. Concourse-level "might as well have a Porsche" paint? sure. Paint that's just about as nice as most cars on the road, but not amazing, as a no-insurance cash job? Seems like finding a purple squirrel.

So...how "restored" are you looking to get to?

[Loren]

Just the PPG paint for my Ghia restoration was 5k. Paint is crazy expensive right now and I know PPG is likely the most expensive brand, but still figure a few grand just to buy the paint itself.

[kingkarmann]

As you know the cost is going to be subjective.
House of Ghia in Salem OR has a great reputation for Ghia restorations.
My suggestion is to try to arrange a meeting with Mike and let him know what you want.
Another possible resource is theghiagirl
She's very knowledgeable.
Might be worth PMing her.
Good luck!
and...
Please keep us in the loop, we all love pictures

[Era Vulgaris]

How much of the work are you willing to do yourself and what are your quality level expectations? How much metalwork does it need? Does it need the entire interior redone? Does it need an engine and trans rebuild? Do you want things factory correct, or are you ok to use "lesser" materials (like loop carpet instead of German squareweave carpet, for example).

As others have mentioned, $20k gets you a high quality paint job. If you can strip the car and take it to bare metal yourself, you can take a big chunk out of that paint job cost. But these cars are really as expensive to restore to a high quality standard as a Porsche 356.
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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

[Grumpy_one]

Our cap has grew 2-3x our original estimate. This will be my 30 year wedding anniversary present to my wife, so far I have all the toys, now it's her turn.

[Braukuche]

I do all my own work and it costs me $20k to do my last restoration in parts alone.
Ghias are almost as expensive to restore as a Porsche 356.
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Go Reds! Smash state!

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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

[Grumpy_one]

[Trylon]

Have you considered simply buying a nicely restored one out-right? Sounds like the cost of restoring the one you have is approaching that level.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire

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[Grumpy_one]

[Trylon]

[kent70ghia]

[Glenn]

Whatever you think.... triple it.

And restored to what level? There's a lot of cheap parts out there and they're cheap for a reason.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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[SBD]

I definitely want to see the before pictures on this one.
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"Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"

[runamoc]

make a wooden box that will hold the Ghia, stuff the box with $20 bills until it doesn't rattle when you shake the box, then send it off to be restored.
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Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
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Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
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[jeffrey8164]

I’m glad to read that you’re off to a good start with your choice of shop but be prepared.
I did all my own work except the front seat upholstery and the transaxle and I spent $30,000 in paint and parts but then again I didn’t go back all stock.
I always tell people if I were to do it again I’d buy one already done but for me it’s too late and there are too many memories to replace the one I have.
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[Grumpy_one]

bottom line, I have all the toys in the house, now it's her turn. Ya, gonna be expensive, we have no debt and we're ok. It's gonna be fun, I miss my 63 bug soft top, wish I never sold it. I'm excited as well. Before pics coming, looks like the project won't start till next year, I'll definitely post pics

[kingkarmann]