It says a lot about my aspirations that I’ve bought several Volkswagen repair manuals under the assumption that I’ll eventually buy one just to work on it. The VW I’d have in mind is an early-’70s Beetle or, in a perfect world, a Karmann Ghia. Any car with a body shape that stood the test of two decades has to be worth a pile of Franklins on the hood, right?
This one will need that small stack and a repair manual, because it’s a project car. Located in Virginia, the owner says that it was parked in 1983 “due to a fuel pump issue,” and it’s only recently been awakened from its long repose.
The seller replaced the fuel pump and a few tune-up items and was able to get the engine started but explains that it could use some carburetor work. After 41 years, you might as well just order the carb kit before you turn a wrench. Luckily, VWs are easy to work on, at least if my manuals and countless YouTube videos I’ve watched are reliable sources.
The good news is that the floorpans and heater channels are solid, although there is some body rust. Judging by the pictures in the ad, I’d say the paint is too far gone to save, and it’s not even the original color. Therefore, this car is probably a candidate for refurbishment rather than just getting it on the road.
The interior shots show the original green color, which looks like a nice choice on a ’70s Ghia. The interior needs a restoration, and you’ll have to ask the seller if the door panels are included – there’s no mention of missing parts in the ad.
Everything in an old Volkswagen is right out in the open, which is nice for a home mechanic like me. The luggage space looks similar to my Corvair’s, so that wouldn’t take much getting used to.
Nor would the drivetrain. The carburetor sits right out on top, so it should be nothing more than a greasy hour or two of work to get it cleaned and rebuilt. Then comes brakes, tires, frustration, profanity, etc.
This Ghia is on Craigslist for an asking price of $3000 or best offer. I would get it running and driving and do the cosmetics as I was able, but it might be smarter just to tear it down and do it all at once. Either way, make sure you have the manuals in hand before you start. What would your plan of attack be if you were a buyer?
Dump the fuel and any other fluids, tune it up, adjust the valves and pop a Weber on it.
$3K!?! I paid $4k, 5 years ago for a 74 with 37k original miles that needed minor refreshing to be back on the road after 11 years.
This car is a real project that certainly has had some rust issues in the past as noted by the lack of side trim/trim holes, the vertial body likes in the rocker panels and the rear torsion tube access holes filled in. I think this one has more stories to tell than parked for 41 years.
Those particular bodies were known for rust problems. It’s still a Bug at heart though, so it’s easy to work on.
You stole that car. I haven’t seen a runner Ghia without Fred Flintstone floors for under $8000, for a long time.
This is a very special Ghia: It was produced with an all-fiberglass body. Seriously, though… The pan looks okay, but that body’s full of mud. Looks like someone tried (poorly) to dechrome it. That being said, I know my Ghias. My brother & I have been through several. I’d check the base of the A-pillars, eyebrows, rockers & quarters for Bondo. I’ll bet they’re all full of it. As far as running, yeah, a couple hours on the carb, plus a full tune and valve adjustment could work wonders. If the body’s better than I suspect, invest in an “Idiot Guide” and set to it. For 3K, you really can’t complain too much.
I do appreciate a 356, but I’d rather get a driver-quality Karmann Ghia and a modest house for the same money.
There was literally a VW ad in the 1960’s along those same lines. It’s on Youtube.
Two houses are next to each other. The voiceover and video are along the lines of “Mr. Smith bought a new domestic car for $2500.00”, and they show the car pulling into the driveway.
Then the voiceover and video show a bug pulling into the neighbor’s driveway, and then a bunch of deliver people, saying “Mr. Jones bought a new VW for that same money, along wiht a new washer, dryer, Television, record player, toaster…”
Not sure why tearing it down would be smarter than getting it running and back on the road first. Granted it is a project now but from the looks and story not far from a runner. With a tear down it may just become much more of a project, possibly to never be put on the road again.
I’d get it running and put it to use first. And for only 3k what’s not to like there?
Basically it is a bug but much sportier.
In the summer of 1979 I drove one of these through hurricane effect rain and winds in North Carolina with no cell phone and an AM radio I just thought it was a bad rain storm but the car handled surprising well and got me home. As with so many the biggest issue is rust and front end damage around the headlights.
VW had a great ad agency in the 60s and 70s that created some memorable ones. My favorite was the “The Car that the snowplow driver drives to work”
The owner paid more for the manuals than what a fuel pump cost. Always weary when you see things like this that don’t add up. Just some basic mechanical knowledge needed here and hopefully the next person will have some.