Karmann Ghia

[PH_sa]

Hi

I would like to know how expensive it is to restore a karmann ghia. I have the option to buy one now and have always loved them.
The exterior and interior is in good nick but i don't know if there is anything wrong with the mechanics. It is a 1961 Coupe
In a perfect world i would like to use it as an everyday driver without hectic running cost.
How much should i be willing to spend?

Regards

[vader]

How long is a piece of string... I know of someone that has spent 100k on a Ghia...

[MrT]

More like R150K, if you want to do it properly!

[sarel.wagner]

If it is standard and if it is in good condition and you can srive it as is, its not too expensive. They not cheap on fuel, nor easy as a daily driver, no disk brakes, noisy, smelly, no aircon and no longer cheap to maintain, if you can find a reliable mechanic to maintain it. Even to diy it takes time and knowhow. If you have that, its a blast!

Rgrds

[PH_sa]

Thanks for the straight forward answer! Are there any disc brake conversion kits sold in SA?
thanks

[Tony Z]

Thanks for the straight forward answer! Are there any disc brake conversion kits sold in SA?

Yip


Stick your location on your profile and you might be able to get people in your area to help you

[AKG1600]

Hi. I'm currently in the throes of a '66 restoration and it's been exciting. I've had a crush on the Karmann Ghia for a spell and when the opportunity presented itself, I plunged head long into the abyss.
Do as much research as you can about them. There are several sites that have oodles of information on what is involved in buying, restoring and owning a Karmann Ghia. One common thread I found was that to get the best out of the car one needs to be prepared to put in some work. Rust being a given in most cases, be prepared to have to strip her down to address the decay before bringing it back up and restoring it.

If you want to use it as a daily driver, it would be worth your while to get an ignitor kit to replace the condensor and points, fit an aftermarket spin on oil filter and pump, as well as hydraulic lifters and cams (to eliminate have to set valves so periodically).

The project has cost R94k thus far including the vehicle.

Hope this helps. Thanks for the space.

[beetlepower]

And how far have you gotten with your 94k?

[AKG1600]

Mechanicals:
Replaced steering box, new speedo clock & cable, Bosch coil, ignition kit, heavy duty plug leads, external high volume oil pump, filter housing and filter, new carburettor, new exhaust system, engine service.

Coachwork:
Body stripped to bare metal, rust removed, new sheet metal fitted (where required), smoothed, primed and re-sprayed.
Universal rubber kit, new badges (side badge/rear decklid script, dash script), new side mouldings.
Re-chrome all bright work.

Interior:
Entire interior re-upholstered, inertia reel seat belts fitted, KG gear knob, power windows, stereo system, security system, window tint (can't afford a/c; gotta keep cool somehow).

That's the progress thus far. Still few items to do but those can wait 'til I can afford to shell out some more.

So all that and the purchase of the car brings us to the cost thus far.

[Blitzkrieg]

Are there many running Aircooleds over in Zim?

When I was there 2 years back I only saw one Beetle and a trashed Bay or two....

[AKG1600]

That's what we have here Gov'nor. Mostly trashed ones. There are few Beetles that are respected out here but they remain hidden. All the work on my Ghia is being done in Capetown. That's where I found the car and it made sense to have the work done down there. There's noone here in Zim that can do a job to the spec I need.