Rebirth of OldRed
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:38 pm
This thread will chronicle the slow and usually frustrating restoration of my '59 Lowlight Karmann Ghia. I must caution you beforehand that it may not move along at lightning speed at times but I'll update it every time something meaningful happens.
The story starts in February 2008 when I bought the Ghia from Gerrit Joubert in Pretoria. It looked great and the test drive went off without a hitch. The deal was sealed a week later (I tend to linger over decisions) and I brought it home on a lowbed the following weekend.
It did have it's share of good old KG problems though. It went through a period of pimp-my-Ghia at some stage when about 5 extra guages were added to the dash and one PO decided that a classy Fiat tractor ignition was all that was needed to propel the Ghia to greatness.. The rockers were beginning to bubble and someone (might be the Fiat guy) squeezed in a 1600 twinport after hacking off some of the engine tin.
But I didn't mind... I had my Ghia and I could use it as my daily driver.
I had the chassis cleaned and stonechipped and exchanged the Venter Special taillights for euro-spec lowlight lenses. New wheels were bought and 2,5 inch white walls were applied by Jeppe Tyres.
Things would have stayed like this for some time as we're busy restoring our house (about 30 yrs older than the Ghia and about hundred times as expensive to do) but providence stepped in in the form of Mrs OldRed (who calls the Ghia a deep, dark moneypit, amongst other uncivilised things) and her Touran ramming me one fine spring morning. Immense feelings of guilt ensued and I decided to strike the proverbial red hot iron. The engine was pulled and transported to the great Induna himself - IMPI. After some deliberation, it was decided that a replica Okrasa engine should be built with a few vintage speed touches to the Ghia itself.
Now, witness the genius that is IPMI:(note the new BAB produced IMPI label)
A few things are still mssing - I forgot the air filters at IMPI's and an old look Bosch distributor with electronic ignition innards still needs to be fitted (as soon as they stop melting while in use
) All the filter and Okrasa decals will also be applied together with a replica Okrasa Ghia tach
And this of course
The body is currently at the body man who will install my new rockers from CIP1, reverse the Mini headlight conversion and undo Mrs OldRed's little indiscretion. The finished colour will be Cardinal red with a tan interior, still considering the original cloth inserts found on the Cardinal red coupes.
The endproduct should look something like this:
I know the second one is a cabriolet but I like the pic and would love the idea of owning two lowlight cabs.
Well, thats the story so far. Hope to post some progress soon but knowing the body guy it might be some time.
The story starts in February 2008 when I bought the Ghia from Gerrit Joubert in Pretoria. It looked great and the test drive went off without a hitch. The deal was sealed a week later (I tend to linger over decisions) and I brought it home on a lowbed the following weekend.
It did have it's share of good old KG problems though. It went through a period of pimp-my-Ghia at some stage when about 5 extra guages were added to the dash and one PO decided that a classy Fiat tractor ignition was all that was needed to propel the Ghia to greatness.. The rockers were beginning to bubble and someone (might be the Fiat guy) squeezed in a 1600 twinport after hacking off some of the engine tin.
But I didn't mind... I had my Ghia and I could use it as my daily driver.
I had the chassis cleaned and stonechipped and exchanged the Venter Special taillights for euro-spec lowlight lenses. New wheels were bought and 2,5 inch white walls were applied by Jeppe Tyres.
Things would have stayed like this for some time as we're busy restoring our house (about 30 yrs older than the Ghia and about hundred times as expensive to do) but providence stepped in in the form of Mrs OldRed (who calls the Ghia a deep, dark moneypit, amongst other uncivilised things) and her Touran ramming me one fine spring morning. Immense feelings of guilt ensued and I decided to strike the proverbial red hot iron. The engine was pulled and transported to the great Induna himself - IMPI. After some deliberation, it was decided that a replica Okrasa engine should be built with a few vintage speed touches to the Ghia itself.
Now, witness the genius that is IPMI:(note the new BAB produced IMPI label)
A few things are still mssing - I forgot the air filters at IMPI's and an old look Bosch distributor with electronic ignition innards still needs to be fitted (as soon as they stop melting while in use
) All the filter and Okrasa decals will also be applied together with a replica Okrasa Ghia tachAnd this of course
The body is currently at the body man who will install my new rockers from CIP1, reverse the Mini headlight conversion and undo Mrs OldRed's little indiscretion. The finished colour will be Cardinal red with a tan interior, still considering the original cloth inserts found on the Cardinal red coupes.
The endproduct should look something like this:
I know the second one is a cabriolet but I like the pic and would love the idea of owning two lowlight cabs.
Well, thats the story so far. Hope to post some progress soon but knowing the body guy it might be some time.
