1961 Karmann Ghia- Sillver Dream Machine

[kthackwray]

So here goes - a new "old" addition to the family and I think we have a great father and son project
Got a call out of the blue from my brother in-law who wanted to sell the Karmann Ghia which he had been rebuilding for a few years - being a mechanical guy , the motor , gearbox and brakes have all been done - hopefully the brakes will still be 100% as the work was done a few years ago but the motor purrs like a kitten.

So stuff to do

Body work -
Strip all the paint
Patch a few places which have rust
Respray - Metallic Silver it is - our first choice (just so happened to come with 3l of 2k metallic silver)
Bumpers have been re-chromed and most of the beadings are in tact
new window rubbers - suppose we will get some from Pro Auto Rubber

And lots more

[kthackwray]

Some rust patches revealed which were just filled over

[kthackwray]

Alfred roped in to do the panel beating and painting

Patching rusted areas



And now some filler on the left rear panel

[John Alves]

Hard work, but all worth in the end, keep going. I have a Ghia side badge to donate should you need it.

[jolas]

Nice project, good luck, keeps the pics coming

[JonnoDub]

Looking good there, nice to see progress

[Bratjie]

She's going to be awesome, I should finish mine too, I have lefty, you have any spare parts or know where to get? Good luck on the project!

[kthackwray]

Alfred has been busy
Welded up the remainder of the rust patches and working the body filler


Sand blasted the rear deck lid in the grill to remove the rust and in all those places where you cant get to with sand paper



After much sanding the front is comming along really nicely

[kthackwray]

Had to cut the wiper stalks off as they had been modified to take newer wipers

So MS primer goes on the shell and doors

[kthackwray]

I guess now the real sanding job begins and we should be ready for painting after next weekend
Some of us have day jobs

[Cogita]

Looking good

[Tony Z]

I guess now the real sanding job begins and we should be ready for painting after next weekend
Some of us have day jobs

did you get around to painting this weekend?

[kthackwray]

So another productive weekend with the engine lid mostly sorted
Lots of sanding and spot putty and fitting panels
He'd to make 4 spacers for the door hinges to get the door gaps right and lots of twisting and adjustment on the engine lid to try get all the gaps even
Light sanding inside the cab on the dash for primer and still removing bits and pieces before final primer

[Tony Z]

looks good

[kthackwray]

So another great weekend with a pile of progress
We decided to buy the swan mirrors which attach to the front fenders so I spoiled Alphreds morning by telling him to close up the holes on the doors

Then some final primer here and there and then BIG Moment
Metallic Silver goes on






Then the clear coat x 2 coats




Then left her in the sun on Sunday and today to harden




Couldn't help starting with some assembly so Sunday afternoon attached beading to number plate light holder and light hardware




Also installed cubby hole catch and ashtray plus front grills and both rear and front hood catches with release cables