Karmann Ghia enthusiast

  • Thread starter Thread starter filthyfish
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filthyfish

filthyfish

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Who else out there was as excited as I was to see a Ghia in GT4!? Im the proud 2nd owner of a 69' Ghia, automatic stickshift. Any other Ghia owners out there?




(update, 6/15/06, New pictures added.)


At long last, and about 5 years fighting the elements outside under covers and temporary shelters. Its finally properly garaged! I think grandpa will finally stop turning in his grave. Well, here she is in all her glory, "Automatic/Stickshift" badge and all. Tell me what you think...


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I'm a Ghia fan, by way of VW of course, but I've never driven or owned one. I went for a very short ride with a freind, and my Grandmother owned one for a very short period of time, but that is the limit of my expirience.

Interestingly enough, the new Eos is almost the spiritual successor to the Ghia. While it may have the power going through the wrong wheels and the engine in the wrong spot, the look reminds me of the Ghia in some ways.

Although the true Ghia will come out if or when VW decideds to build the Concept R, as the rumors at the moment are pointing twards yes. Rear engine, rear wheel drive, and a look similar to the Eos screams Ghia, and I think they would be crazy not to atleast make a low-end model that could carry the same name.
 
I have a 1979 Super Beetle convertible, and the Ghia is my benchmark for comparison times (up the hp to 50). It's essentially the same car with a different body, but mechanically they're extremely similar. I also think it's a damn good looking car.
 
:cheers: I knew there was some of you out there! I feel in love with Ghia's and Porche Speedsters as a kid. I about fell over when I got mine from my grandfather. Im kind of ashamed to say I havent heard of the Eos, but im looking that one up as of this writting!
 
*waves* another one, here. tho I've seen a few Karman's fall straight to peices. you're also talking to someone who basically grew up in the back of a 78 Golf..so I've been volks happy for years.
 
"Pennsylvania, rustbelt-o-rama", thats such a shame! I can imagine many a great car fell victim to rust. Ive never been the biggest fan of Beetles, or Busses. Ghia's and Sqarebacks, etc. are my fav. My 69' luckily has very little rust, I hope to garage it and start my restoration soon. Wouldnt mind a Sciracco eigther! Also, it just occured to me, I got my Car-and-Driver in the mail not too long ago and it feature a short on the Eos, its a very attractive car! Bout time VW gave us a worthy convertable.
 
yeah, actually...it did. they use so much salt and stone up here in the winter to prevent accident, that it practically CAUSES them. the last Karman i saw was nearly rotted away. unless it's over 50 years old...

you want a real ouch? how bout a copy of america's Micro car rotting away to nothing? a Crosley Hot-Shot (roadster) disintigrating to nothin.
 
I'm also a big fan of the Ghia. Such a beautiful car. Who cares if it only has something like 22 hp.
 
First time I saw one I thought they were quite beautiful cars. I love the shape of the car and the way the lines flow. Well the Type 14 of course, the type 34 Ghia's were very odd looking to me.
 
Sniffs
you want a real ouch? how bout a copy of america's Micro car rotting away to nothing? a Crosley Hot-Shot (roadster) disintigrating to nothin.
Click to expand...

Crosley! There is a name from the past. Im in Tacoma Washington where there is a large private car collection (that Im going to link to later). That has 3 or 4 Bantam's, next time I take a tour ill keep my eye out for a Crosley, if memory serves he has one.

Yeah, ND4SPD, the Type 34s got pretty squirelly looking, kinda like that French car of the 70s (the name has escaped me at the moment...)

I remember now, Citroën DS!!
 
i have a friend with a ghia. he also has two early bugs' and a thing. he took the motor out of the ghia and he is gonna swap it for a twin carb 1500 cc. the lump from the ghia is going into a bradley gt kit car. its really sweet. its a retro brown with a flake in the paint. ill see i i can get some pics. i know its on streetfire.net somewhere. can you search for it? i dont wanna look through all the videos :( youll know you find it cause he tries to do a burnout a few times :)
 
"automatic stickshift" consisted of a torque converter, a power-operated clutch, and a three speed trans. The clutch is actuated by slight movement of the shift lever (no clutch pedal). 3 driving ranges, Low, 1, 2. Let off the gas, grab the stick, clutch disengages, shift, hit the gas. Kind of a primative sequential gearbox.
 
Wow, that was a major tripout when I noticed you two are different people with the same avatar....
 
ND4SPD
Wow, that was a major tripout when I noticed you two are different people with the same avatar....
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You and me both!

Yeah, that tranny didnt set the world on fire, it only lasted two years or so, 68 and 69. I think in 69 there were only about 2500 Ghia's made with that trans. I would like to swap it for a manual (labor intensive) or put in a stock VW auto (slushbox sucks).
 
I don't know how the autostick is, I have the standard 4-speed manual. And honestly, my car is the greatest babe magnet ever. If any female I know doesn't know how to drive a stick, I just offer to teach them. And how can they refuse?! Driving around in an icon. Ohh . . . it's brilliant.

And for those who have never driven a stick before, not depressing. Honestly, in all my time of driving my car, I have NEVER stalled it. Except on purpose to show what happens when you just drop the clutch without being smart.
 
The "automatic stickshift" was a good idea, bad excecution. Or. A good answer to a question that was never asked. As far as Ghia's go, its a rare model, but thats the extent of its worth. They are a vacume nightmare, so rebuilding the oem tranny isnt fun. But, installing a clutch pedal and the apropriate cables etc. wont be much better, but the 4spd will be worth it.
 

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