Here's the 1974 Karmann Ghia I just had given to me. It's a NY car, so it has a good amount of rust (floors, and basically 10" up around the entire bottom of the car needs to be replaced!) This will be my first complete restoration and the most body work I've had to do.

Man that thing is cute.

the worlds slowest sports car!
man, rust is the enemy!

I always loved those cars... I wanted to do something different and stuff a Corrado engine in it or a VR6 in the ass.

Nice find.

fuckin sexy

Yes, I am in lust. Mmmm.


check out www.cip1.com for parts...

I restored one of those back when i was still a mechanic. It was actually a fun project, compared to some restorations i've done. At least you have a decent aftermarket to help you through. Have fun with it.

Posted by Samurai the worlds slowest sports car! man, rust is the enemy! I always loved those cars... I wanted to do something different and stuff a Corrado engine in it or a VR6 in the ass. Nice find.

Ha, that's about the right description. I'm going to stick with the air cooled 1600, but the stock 46 horses will not cut it here in the hills of PA. I'm still learning air-cooled VW motors, but I'd like to get it up to about 90-100, which should make it move pretty good. It weighs nothing- I separated the body from the pan yesterday, and I can pick the body up about 6 inches off the pan by myself.

Posted by bandi Yes, I am in lust. Mmmm. check out www.cip1.com for parts...

Thanks man, I'll definitely check that out. I've been pricing parts from karmannghia.com, but since there's so much body work to do, I'm planning on looking around for the best quality parts so they can be installed pretty easily without me spending hours having to modify them.

Posted by chromehorse I restored one of those back when i was still a mechanic. It was actually a fun project, compared to some restorations i've done. At least you have a decent aftermarket to help you through. Have fun with it.

Thank you, I think I will enjoy it. It's a nice easy car to work with. It barely makes a dent in my 3 1/2 car garage, even with parts all over.

Posted by DelbertGrady Ha, that's about the right description. I'm going to stick with the air cooled 1600, but the stock 46 horses will not cut it here in the hills of PA. I'm still learning air-cooled VW motors, but I'd like to get it up to about 90-100, which should make it move pretty good.

Dude, Air-Cooled VW is sex... there are kits and parts out there that will make that karmann move like beast! A friend of mine has a 67 Beetle with the engine out of a VW Microbus (1800, 2000cc?) and at the dragstrip, he was gobbling up C4 Vettes with ease... Hardest part he's got is keeping the front wheels down through 1st and 2nd gear!

My buddy in high school (shawn you evil bastard!) had a 72 Super Beetle. We had the engine out of the car and in his basement (in a wheelbarrow) in 30 minutes. Had it torn down in 60 minutes and started the rebuild. Had in the car and running the next afternoon.

gotta love those simple old lumps! I would love to own one myself!

nice some guy near me just pulled one out of his backyard

I just separated the body and floorpan on the '69 Beetle I'm making into a rally car. Using air tools and a hoist, it took 45 minutes. I was satisfied with that.

Probably gonna be about the slowest car in the Canadian championship (although I'm gonna be running an 1835 cc stroker), but I don't car, I love my Bugs.

I just separated the body and floorpan on the '69 Beetle I'm making into a rally car. Using air tools and a hoist, it took 45 minutes. I was satisfied with that.

Probably gonna be about the slowest car in the Canadian championship (although I'm gonna be running an 1835 cc stroker), but I don't care, I love my Bugs.

(edit: eye cont spall)

Hey Bandi, you ever consider running the Targa Newfoundland? I promised myself i would run my Mustang in it this year but life got in the way. Now i'm hoping to have the car ready for the 2010 running. We could be the 1000 islands/Quinte region contingent!! lol!!

It's always been a dream of mine. I'm actually building a 2008 Mistubishi Evo 10 and a 2009 Lancer Ralliart (Pre-production version!) for Mitsu to run in Targa right now... working with the Ralliart is proving to be a challenge, the tranaxle is one of 3 in existance (Dual clutch getrag SMG), and it's having some issues... ie, after about 45 minutes of testing the car at Shannonville, the LCD display in the dash was flashing "SLOW DOWN!"

Hopefully Mitsu provides a software update for the thing, because a race car that tells you to slow down kinda defeats the purpose.

Yeah..that's just not quite right!!!! lol