My 1971 Karmann Ghia Project

Good Idea Gordon.

What do you think of these wheels on a Ghia Rich?

Oh I forgot to ask if it dialed his number  

IaM-Ray posted:

What do you think of these wheels on a Ghia Rich?

Me no like. 

 Things are coming along slowly, but most assuredly this summer. Scott has been putting the engine together when he can find the time. Got the wheels on for tire sizing. Probably some Yokohama FLEVAs, 195/45-205/45s or 50s. It maybe rinning before August is through. BTW, I’m looking for some center caps if anyone has any stashed away.

Nice, Wisco Ricky!

It's going to look pretty stunning, Rich! Love the alloys. And just so you know, if you took the back pair to a wheel specialty shop and had them widened 1" to the inside you could run 225's on the back and everyone would look and say " if this thing wasn't badass enough already!". Just sayin'... _{Lovin' it! How are you, big bro?}

@IaM-Ray and @Marty Grzynkowicz- was never a fan of the telephone dial wheels, but I think the 1 place they do look good is on a Ghia. Check out this thread on the Cal Look Lounge- http://cal-look.no/lounge/inde...p/topic,18301.0.html 

Harold's Ghia is pretty outrageous.

Man dem Ghia trunks are big enough for two dem little four-bangers. . . .

Makes a guy think about stuff.

Al, I’ll be happy with the 205 Yokohama “FLEVAS” (what the hell is a FLEVA?) for now. I should have them mounted and then with fingers crossed, we’ll see how they fit and look. Slowly, but surely this thing is coming together and every step has been exciting to see. Good stuff takes time.

A couple more steps. Because of an earlier decision on the four lug wheels, the rotors were redrilled with not much of a problem.

Looking good Rich!

Some of you have seen my FB post last night. For those who haven’t, great news, Scott had me over to his place to review the latest progress on the Ghia. It’s been a few weeks since my last visit, though Scott keeps me updated with any major steps or challenges.

For instance, a week or so, it was discovered that the engine lid hinge springs would hit the air cleaners upon closing. A quick decision to switch over to stuts remedied that situation quickly and I was anxious to see how that came out and whatever else he has been carefully completing.

What I didn’t realize that he has gotten to the point of starting this little puppy up. So when I got there we did our usual small talk and Scott pointing out some of his magical skills. One was the nice job on the struts and the other obvious one was the new gas tank completely installed (it was discovered back in July the existing one was surprisingly holding gasoline...quite rusted). With regards to the new tank, there were a few obstacles the new suspension and steering rack presented. Scott once again worked around those and the final install looks wonderful.

What he hasn’t told me at this point was that there actually was gas in the tank and he had fired it up the night before! So, after a few more minutes, Scott turned the ignition to on, we listened to the fuel pump come to life and before I realized it, scott was turning it over. A few seconds of engine reluctance and then...it started, cleared its throats a little and soon this remarkable A-1 exhaust note was pouring out of the twin center pipes. Man, did it sound healthy! Scott shut it down shortly and told me he’d be attempting a few more heat sinks over the weekend.

We’ve had a disappointing delay in getting all the CV joints and getting my new Yokohamas mounted on the Fuchs. Hopefully the CV joints will arrive this coming week and the car can be placed back on the ground when suspension and stance can be worked out.

In conclusion, great steady progress by Scott, everything looks very professionally completed. Still a few bugs but seeing and hearing it run was very satisfying, I only wish I had been prepared to get a quick video of the event.

in addition to all the new shiny parts etc., the wiring is getting some nice attention during the reconnection. Scott does nothing buy thoroughness! 

Rich, Would you post some pic's if the rack and pinion arrangement when you get it done before the tank goes in please....................Bruce

Sorry Bruce, the tank is already in place. But if you go back in time here, there are a number of photos of the steering parts duting construction.

Looking good. My first car was a 1971 Ghia.

Looking pretty great, amigo! Scott's doing a nice job.

Rich, I looked at the previous photo's and what I was looking for wasn't there. I was interested in how he bent the shaft from the steering wheel over to the right to connect to the rack gear box shaft. Did the bottom of the gas tank clear all that or did you have to modify or get a custom gas tank ?.............Bruce

@Rich Drewek, your Ghia build looks fantastic  .  Like your Speedster before it, you do everything to detailed perfection.  Hope your darling will enjoy rides in this new beauty.

BTW, if you want the seat cushion (lovingly sewn by her) to use on the Ghia I will be happy to UPS back to dairy-land.

Wishing you the best  of health to enjoy it, Rich.

Tom L.

AC Bruce, yes there was some difficulty with that and some of the details I have already forgotten. I do know he fabricated a few things to help and I believe he got some timely advice from a friend (who had done one of these awhile back) and the trick was using  part of a Super steering shaft as I recall. Maybe Scott could find a moment to address your questions. In short, no it did not clear the new, or old, gas tank. We were just discussing this on Friday. Initially Scott was going to do some welding on the tank, but before he did, he found the new tank to be rather malleable and the appropriate hammer did the trick. Scott actually felt better about this rather welding, possibly risking  a leak. He also had to change a fitting or two to clear another spot. After watching Scott for coming on one year, he doesn’t do shoddy work and will always go the extra mile to do something the right way. He is very proud of his work and has an excellent circle of other local VW guys that really love him and his work. I feel honored to have met him one day when I was displaying my Speedster. Little did I know that one day I’d have this master- craftsman building me this piece of art.

Thanks Tom, I hope everything at your home is working out for the best as well. Please give my regards to Sharon. Your offer of the seat cushion is kind and I’m surprised you are not using it. It was a real comfort to my skinny butt. Hang onto it for now.

Rich, it is always wonderful to see the results of a master craftsman’s work.  You were, indeed, fortunate to hook up with Scott.  Keep those great photos coming, and tell Scott (not that he needs to know, but tell him anyway) that he is an amazing craftsman.

Sorry Rich. I wrote that wrong. Cushion has been used ALL the time since day one and it is a big help. 

I am simply offering to return to the Loving original owner. I will continue using it, but would put back in your hands in a heart beat. 

Thanks for thoughts on Sharon too. 

Tom L

Lotso things coming together this week. Just got the tires on the wheels and it didn’t take long for Scott to get them back on the ground again. Tomorrow he plans to roll it out of the garage and into the sun light and get a better view of the stance.

And here’s a couple showing the lid struts installed.

Man I got to hand it to you your car looks GREAT!!! Excellent Job! How close are you to 

being done?

Set that baby detailed, and take some glamour shots, Rich. She's a stunner.

Terrific!

That will be one nice car Rich, Great job!  

Isn't nice to be living beside your mechanic  

Arden, it’s come down to a much smaller list at this point. The interior has to be put back together for one, an alignment, some pesky wiring, CSP shifter installed and as Stan mentioned, a wash at least.

I wonder if your mechanic is looking for work?   

I am interested to see what changed you will make to the trunk area and the interior.  Are you changing the carpet to German square weave like used in the 356 world?  

 Ray, I think Scott has plenty to do. As for the interior, for now we’ll be attempting to reinstall the carpeting that came with it and install the 911 seats I had done last February. A redo of the interior could be in the works for Phase 2, time and money will tell. The carpeting is darker than what shows in the flash photo here. A different wheel, Recaros, probably lose the wood stuff, update the dash. The sky could be the limit.

Actually, those guages are not too bad at all.  Have you seen @Tab Tanner 's dash.  He finished his car with a larger tach 911 ish I think, and it is pretty neat to see the combo but then this is 356 style which could be done on yours ... just saying. 

I mean this is pretty nice...  

DON’T GO THAT WAY, RICH!!!!!!!!!

Getting gauges like those just above are the first step on the road to elite Italian driving gloves, then Italian driving shoes, and then you’ll be buying driving clothes from Armani or Dolce y Gabbana.

I thought you were one of us!

Look!  The guy is wearing a Gucci watch!  He probably doesn’t even drink good ‘Murican beer!  Pro’bly drinks that “Birra Moretti” stuff......     I’ve had beers with you at Carlisle and we didn’t drink no snooty Euro beers.  Think about that......

BTW, personally, I like the wood dash.........

Gordon, I think you’re wrong about that guy above...he has holes in his jeans...

Okay, another day, another stunning example of the great work Scott Hansen has been putting in on my Ghia. It got rolled out of his laboratory late this afternoon, just in time to catch the evening sun. Look at this thing, I can’t say enough how grateful I am to Scott. Seeing it out in the sunlight is really making me anxious to get behind the wheel, but Scott is going to get the first miles behind the wheel, he has really earned the honor.

Hey Rich I just noticed there is no Nose on the rear of that Ghia.  Interesting. 

That's really a beautiful job, Rich!  Tasty and tasteful, the perfect combination.  I'm happy for you, bud.

That's a pretty incredible car, Rich. 

Rich: Can you get away with no license plate light in Wisco? Looks like there isn't one on the car. Hate to see you being pulled over repeatedly.