Post by CrazyBrit on May 15, 2024 20:52:47 GMT -8
Those that know me are quite aware that I have a bit of a thing for Ghias. I have owned my 1971 convertible for over 25 years, but at the moment it is sitting on a 45 degree angle in it’s rotisserie, waiting for me to find time to work on it. It is generally a good car and the rust is not awful, but it will be a few years before it drives again.
A year ago a “1967” KG coupe came up for sale in Duncan. I could see from the photo’s that it was actually a 1969 model. I initially decided that it was not for me, as it was sporting an Alfa Romeo esque grill on the front and a luggage rack on the rear lid. I was at work in Port Hardy at the time, so it was irrelevant, as I was unable to view it anyway. After returning from Port Hardy a few days later, I stopped in to take a look at the car in Duncan, but it had sold a couple of hours previously. It was rock solid, completely rust free and actually a very, very good car.
After the car sold, it popped up on Facebook on the Karmann Ghia World page. I made contact with the new owner, determined it was still in Duncan and asked that he keep me in mind should he ever decide to sell it. A few weeks ago, he contacted me to show me photo’s of work that he had done on the car. After a bit of banter back and forth, he mentioned that it was available for sale.
So, this is my new to me Oriole Yellow 1969 Karmann Ghia coupe. It was named Oriole by the previous owner, for obvious reasons. It is a 1968 build, and as far as I can tell so far, appears to have been built in the fall of 1968. It is IRS rear and balljoint front with disc brakes as standard. There is a 1974 AH code 1584cc in the back, with a no name aftermarket carburetor, electric fuel pump and an aftermarket EMPI electronic ignition / dizzy. The car is either an Arizona or California car, so the rubber and plastic have suffered from the sun. The dash pad has already been replaced, as has the faux wood facia. I am not normally a fan of the faux wood, but this one is actually very nicely installed and not the usual naff stuff. I actually quite like it! The seats have been recovered in the past, but have been done nicely. They have black cloth in the centre with smooth vinyl on the sides and backs. Way better than the basket weave plastic that would have been original fitment. The headliner is tired and will likely be replaced. But, and this is a big but. The best bit is the body. This car is completely rust free and as far as I can see, has never been welded, except for the holes that were drilled for that luggage rack. It will need one small weld repair, but only because some muppet cut a hole in the inner fender for a crotch cooler style vent.
I have driven it over 200km in the last week and it runs well. It has a few minor dents and scratches, but that is what you expect from 55 year old paint. Yes, it is original paint on most of the car! The engine lid was repainted (badly) last year because of the holes left from the luggage rack. The front nose has been repainted following the removal of the Alpha grill. The inside below the quarter windows and the inside of the tops of the doors appear to have been redone. Otherwise, it seems to be all original.
A year ago a “1967” KG coupe came up for sale in Duncan. I could see from the photo’s that it was actually a 1969 model. I initially decided that it was not for me, as it was sporting an Alfa Romeo esque grill on the front and a luggage rack on the rear lid. I was at work in Port Hardy at the time, so it was irrelevant, as I was unable to view it anyway. After returning from Port Hardy a few days later, I stopped in to take a look at the car in Duncan, but it had sold a couple of hours previously. It was rock solid, completely rust free and actually a very, very good car.
After the car sold, it popped up on Facebook on the Karmann Ghia World page. I made contact with the new owner, determined it was still in Duncan and asked that he keep me in mind should he ever decide to sell it. A few weeks ago, he contacted me to show me photo’s of work that he had done on the car. After a bit of banter back and forth, he mentioned that it was available for sale.
So, this is my new to me Oriole Yellow 1969 Karmann Ghia coupe. It was named Oriole by the previous owner, for obvious reasons. It is a 1968 build, and as far as I can tell so far, appears to have been built in the fall of 1968. It is IRS rear and balljoint front with disc brakes as standard. There is a 1974 AH code 1584cc in the back, with a no name aftermarket carburetor, electric fuel pump and an aftermarket EMPI electronic ignition / dizzy. The car is either an Arizona or California car, so the rubber and plastic have suffered from the sun. The dash pad has already been replaced, as has the faux wood facia. I am not normally a fan of the faux wood, but this one is actually very nicely installed and not the usual naff stuff. I actually quite like it! The seats have been recovered in the past, but have been done nicely. They have black cloth in the centre with smooth vinyl on the sides and backs. Way better than the basket weave plastic that would have been original fitment. The headliner is tired and will likely be replaced. But, and this is a big but. The best bit is the body. This car is completely rust free and as far as I can see, has never been welded, except for the holes that were drilled for that luggage rack. It will need one small weld repair, but only because some muppet cut a hole in the inner fender for a crotch cooler style vent.
I have driven it over 200km in the last week and it runs well. It has a few minor dents and scratches, but that is what you expect from 55 year old paint. Yes, it is original paint on most of the car! The engine lid was repainted (badly) last year because of the holes left from the luggage rack. The front nose has been repainted following the removal of the Alpha grill. The inside below the quarter windows and the inside of the tops of the doors appear to have been redone. Otherwise, it seems to be all original.