Tell me about... Karmann Ghias

[cms206]

This may well be a pointless thread as I won't know until during the week if I've got it, but I may have bagged myself a metallic green '74M VW Karmann Ghia convertable. It needs a hood and "some work" but it was on the road until 2013... it's sat since. Pics due today apparantly.

 

Anyone had one? How bad are they? Are pineapples still a quid in Morrisons?

[chaseracer]

Check for rust between the numberplates.  

 

Otherwise: nice one, you jammy barsteward 

[garethj]

As said, rust is a problem with these, fixing the rust is an even bigger problem as it's only the doors that bolt on - everything else is welded and blended in.

 

The usual VW issues are there but that's usually easy to fix or replace.

 

Pics please!

[inconsistant]

My dad had one in the 80s and after 4 years of ownership he liked it so much he got another one.

 

Actually now I think about it, that was an Orion Ghia but I assume they're pretty much the same?

[twosmoke300]

Not at all , the Orion ghia was a decent car with a good range of engines

[barefoot]

I've never had one but they look very pretty.

Rust is the problem.

[cms206]

So... rust. Fair enough. At the moment it looks like the costs involved will be picking it up as it is more or less free. Apparantly the fella had a pretty harsh MOT tester in 2013 who failed it so he just parked it up. It's something I have no interest in but I hate to see things go for scrap so it might be a giggle.

[anonymous user]

Being Autoshite, and wonderful descriptions from people who are not quite sure what they are looking at, I wouldn't be surprised if what cms is being offered  turns out not to be a Karmann Ghia, or even a Karmann Beetle convertible, but, a cut down Beetle instead.

[purplebargeken]

It'll be a heap of rust, some VIN plates and a V5C

 

These are lovely looking cars but they do seem to be somewhat prone to rust. 

 

Tons of bits for them out there I would imagine.

 

Should be ace and am looking forward to the thread. 

[AlabamaShrimp]

I've never owned one but the tutor at college brought his in to work on. They're mainly Beetle bits with a fancy top.

 

One thing though I found it very low and a bit difficult to get in and out with a wired sideways driving position but this was an LHD one.

 

Over all very nice but I would want one with a roof

[chaseracer]

It'll be a heap of rust, some VIN plates and a V5C

 

 

Sorted.

 

[Alan_Green]

They are very valuable. We're talking thousands and thousands. Going from a MOT fail in 2013 to scrap doesn't make sense.  I like them a lot. Particularly the City of God (Brazilian film) one.

[cms206]

They are very valuable. We're talking thousands and thousands. Going from a MOT fail in 2013 to scrap doesn't make sense. I like them a lot. Particularly the City of God (Brazilian film) one.

I have just checked ebay. I did not realise this.

 

Hmmm. I await pictures with interest...

[cms206]

 

Sorted.

 

All I'd need would be a bright blue jumpsuit and I'd be like the worst (only?) transvestite Anneka Rice tribute act on the planet.

[Vince70]

I don't know whereabouts you are in the country but there's a big pineapple event next weekend at the hop farm just outside paddock wood in Kent and it's a fiver to get in..

It might be worth going and I imagine the V Dub air cooled crowd could give you good advice on what to look for etc on the car...

And if it needs lots of new panels at least you should be able to get the parts at the event..

[cms206]

I don't know whereabouts you are in the country but there's a big pineapple event next weekend at the hop farm just outside paddock wood in Kent and it's a fiver to get in..

It might be worth going and I imagine the V Dub air cooled crowd could give you good advice on what to look for etc on the car...

And if it needs lots of new panels at least you should be able to get the parts at the event..

Kent's a bit far for a daytrip, even for an SVMist like me. I'll see what state it's in and make a decision based on that, but I reckon if it's as bad as it was made out to be it won't be too much hassle.

[cort16]

It's probably worth something even if it is fucked due the the large pineapple scene .

[hairnet]

My dad had one in the 80s and after 4 years of ownership he liked it so much he got another one.

 

Actually now I think about it, that was an Orion Ghia but I assume they're pretty much the same?

bwhahaha bad man

 

andy are you completely mad

 

if its cheap enuff for svm to buy itll be dustpan full of car and a brush

 

even fucked theyre worth money

 

the fact its 500 miles away would make me go oh look another volvo

[Richard]

All I'd need would be a bright blue jumpsuit and I'd be like the worst (only?) transvestite Anneka Rice tribute act on the planet.

 

I'd put good money on you not being the only one, probably not even the worst.

[DSdriver]

I hadn't heard about the Dub Scene at the Hop Farm which is just down the road from me. We will be taking the DS and Safari to Dungeness. Should be far enough away and protected by Nuclear stuff.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

It's probably worth something ESPECIALLY if it is fucked due the the large pineapple scene .

FTFY

[Jim Bell]

 

Real Molly Ringwalds put a roof on it.

[Asimo]

They have always been too expensive for me because the classic car folk were going for them before the Dub-VAG-stance crowd.

 

As easy to keep rolling as a Beetle and pretty makes them a good "keeper". 

 

I have only ever seen one of these VW Type 3 Karmann Ghias, in 1973. Being a bit weird, been on my want list since. 

 

[barefoot]

I think you mean type 34.

[John F]

Crikey!

 

I've just had a look at what these are going for on eBay.

 

££££££....

[Bear]

They have always been too expensive for me because the classic car folk were going for them before the Dub-VAG-stance crowd.

 

As easy to keep rolling as a Beetle and pretty makes them a good "keeper". 

 

I have only ever seen one of these VW Type 3 Karmann Ghias, in 1973. Being a bit weird, been on my want list since. 

 

Picture 2.png

 

My mum had one of those in the '70s - sadly went to scrapyard in the sky due to rampant rust and jammed steering box. It was just 8 years old. Another footnote in the "car things my parents did that I wish I could go back and reverse" - see also "Nearly bought a Fiat Samantha" and "£2K Delorean from Hertz disposal but who would want one of those" (in '83).

 

KG Convertible or Karmann convertible, both are worth the effort, particularly if free other than collection. Jealous.

[cms206]

[Pillock]

Right. If it's a KG Cabrio, then ANYTHING that makes it a cabrio will be megamoney. A mate of mine broke a hood latch on his and it was close on £200. They just didn't make big numbers, so no profit in remanufacturing, and they don't get broken for spares.

 

All the oily bits are shared with something else in the family - I'd guess that late you'd have a mixture of Type 1 and Superbeetle brakes. Floorpan will be rotten, because old and no roof but these are easily repaired. Engine is Beetle. Even lighting etc is Type 3, and they go through breakers often enough to be cheap.

 

They're on the up, go for it.

 

(Assuming its not a Mk3 Golf floppy with Karmann stickers on)

[John F]

 

If that's the actual car, it looks ace... not at all neglected, even if it needs welding underneath.

 

Massively jealous of the squillionty pounds you'll make when selling it to some rich VAG wanker from the South East.

[cms206]

If that's the actual car, it looks ace... not at all neglected, even if it needs welding underneath.

 

Massively jealous of the squillionty pounds you'll make when selling it to some rich VAG wanker from the South East.

That's the actual car, pictures taken this morning. Registered in the UK on my 5th birthday, test expired 7/13. I fear if a deal can be struck it could well be a goer.