My 1957 Karmann Ghia project

[Jack Nel]

A few period correct (Sept 1957 - Jul 1959) Karmann Ghia colours, but the best choice will be the colour you like.

L41 Toucan black





L241 Bamboo with L318 Deep Green roof





L248 Aerosilver





L337 Dolphin Blue





L352 Cognac





L353 Brilliant Red





L354 Cardinal Red

That aerosilver looks really good and classy

[73type2]

... but the best choice will be the colour you like.

Yes, but as long as the colour you like is a period correct colour. It will just make life easier for the future custodian of the vehicle.

[Jack Nel]

What do do with my KG.....
I'm at a bit of a crossroad with my Karmann-Ghia, and I don't know which way to go...
My car is a left hand drive, and unregistered. The law is quite clear now that I won't be able to register the car for use on public roads, and if I can't to that, then I have no use for it.

I'm thinking of letting it go, anybody interested?

[Terry Phillips]

Nice car there Jack,I would do everything else that needs doing get the car tip top drive it then decide as you might not like the car then no point in painting it and if you like it then decide closer to the time if the Black stays or goes.In my eyes if the car still looks good and it runs well then there is no need to restore it.Once you restore it then its not the same car. My 2c worth

[retrovan]

You have a number of options,
Complete the car and ship it to Europe.
Convert it to RHD, and then fix it
Phone me as I may have a way of finding out if it was previously registered, meaning it lawfully in the country, and then licensing it.

Herman

[Jack Nel]

Thanks Herman, last mentioned will be ideal for me, I will be in contact.

[Jdt1976]

If you have to go through the whole process from scratch to get it registered, who will indicate it is LHD. Would they look for it when at clearance or only at the test station doing RW?

[retrovan]

If you have to go through the whole process from scratch to get it registered, who will indicate it is LHD. Would they look for it when at clearance or only at the test station doing RW?

Not sure on your GT papers, but our registration papers now have a section on LHD or RHD.

So it would probably be legal to register it as YOUR car, as all vehicles have to by law be registered even if not RW, but I do not think you could get a license disk.

Not Sure, have never needed to try.

Herman

[Jdt1976]

So it would probably be legal to register it as YOUR car, as all vehicles have to by law be registered even if not RW, but I do not think you could get a license disk.

If you apply for a “S” licence the car doesn't need to go for RW.
Maybe there might be a loophole.

If you want to get a normal licence you would first get it on Natis (before RW) where you will need to indicate on the form LHD or RHD that might give you a problem at RW.
Sean would know the process better and might give some insight.

[fourier]

First find out if the car is on NATIS.

I had a similar problem with my LHD early Ghia. The car was "deregistered by default", as the previous owner passed away in 2005, and licence fees were not paid since then.

I found an old licence disk from 2000, which had the vehicle register number on NATIS. At least it was on the system, and could be traced. All arrears had to be paid. The car had to go for police clearance, at which point the forms were completed to state that it is a LHD vehicle. It was then registered in my name.

There is no problem re-introducing a LHD vehicle into the system, but according to the authorities I spoke to, not possible if the vehicle was not previously on the system. That being said, I do not know how some importers of LHD busses get around this legally...

I would suggest you try to find proof that the vehicle was previously on NATIS. Find an old licence disk, or any other documentation, that has a vehicle register number, and it should be easy from there...

If a LHD vehicle was on the NATIS system before, there is no problem getting it back on.

That has been my experience.