Don, Kris' Uncle, bought this VW Karmann Ghia brand new in 1973. He lovingly took care of it for nearly 30 years. In August the engine finally gave up the ghost and Don decided he had enough of the partnership. After unsuccessfully trying to donate the car (I didn't know it had "died" yet or they wouldn't have had to search very hard), he and Barbara didn't know what to do with the it. When Kris found out (bless her heart) she immediately put in a word for me and the car is now mine to fix and enjoy. The restoration will probably be slow and drawn out as I save nickels and dimes but eventually it will have a custom rebuilt motor by me and a fresh paintjob (by a professional) and an interior overhaul. It won't be a showcar but I will try to make it as neat and tight as I can within time and budget constraints. The first immediate goal is to locate a cheap used motor and just get it running and on the road. After that, I will take the blown motor apart and slowly build it back up to my own desires. What those are right now, I have only a rough idea. Probably a 1776 cc dual port with some simple but good quality single carb with headers and all the smog stuff stripped off so it is simple and tidy. A friend also suggested a balanced crank shaft. I've never even rebuilt a lawnmower so this will be a fun and challenging project. Suposedly, there are aftermarket hydraulic lifters available which would be nice so I can avoid adjusting valves every 3000 miles. When the motor is done, I'll strip the body of all trim and rubber (including the windows and maybe interior parts) and get it completely rust free and repainted. Then the new motor will go in with all new window and trim rubber and it will be almost done save for an interior overhaul.

Sound like fun? Anyone who has known me for, say, the last 19 years knows that I have always wanted to do this with an old aircooled VW. When I was in 8th grade I tore pictures out of Hot VW magazine and had almost an entire wall of my room covered with bugs and ghias and things and busses. It probably goes way farther back to the dunebuggy my dad built or the first car I remember riding in (and getting towed!), a (dad or mom the year correct year please?) mid to late sixties squareback. I miss Glenda (sniff) a little less now.

Maybe a common view of some VWs but not one I wish to repeat! The ghia is "straight" (to use car-dude parlance) and only has a few rust spots. You gotta love cars that live in California.

It's just screaming, "GET ME OFFA THIS THING!!!"

How do you push a 'relaxed' VW up a gravel incline? With an adrenalized VW of course. My 1978 VW Scirocco applies the push but it only looks like they're getting acquainted.

hi!

As soon as I figure out where they hid the engine under that hood up there, I'll get started on it. I also can't figure out how the radiator gets any airflow. Maybe there are instructions in the trunk...

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