Considering a Karmann Ghia

DorianL

DorianL

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
Having done the Big Brutal Detroit Iron... I am thinking about picking up a Karmann Ghia. Essentially a VW bug with Italian styling. (1955 - 1974)

I want soemthing fun to drive, nimble and zippy - that my wife will actually drive as well.

I want to do a frame off restoration. This will have to be in my driveway. :-/ But I am sure it can be done.

I am not too concerned about the interior or the electrical or mechanical as there is a huge, affordable aftermarket out there for KGs.

Here's the idea.
http://www.darrylsgarage.com/67ghia/67ghia.htm

I am however worried about the body. I have ZERO experience welding. I have done some sanding, and minor filling.

The point of this post is, I guess, can I get away with learning to weld floor pans + some body work... Is that tough to do? Like black-art tough?

Or should I just try to get a rust free body?

BTW - I was toying with the idea of putting a Subaru flat-four in there. But come to think of it, I probably wat to get it reasonably quick with the aircooled motor it had...
 
obviously the less rust on the body you need to deal with the easier the project body work will be and remember that most of the rust you can easily see on a car before dis-assembly and close inspection won,t indicate nearly the true extent of the corrosion damage.
that being said, carefully cutting out and replacing floor panels or sections of fenders etc. is hardly difficult if you have access to a decent MIG or TIG welder and air tools like die cutters grinders etc.
I would have zero reluctance to buy a car that needed the floor pans, trunk or similar areas replaced PROVIDED those panels were easily obtainable as aftermarket components.
I would recommend you purchase or rent a decent quality welder and I prefer TIG, welder as I feel theres a good deal more control, but it will help you a great deal to find a local place where you can get some instruction and possibly practice BEFORE you purchase a welder.
now that being said, a monkey could be taught to effectively use a quality MIG welder and learning to use a TIG will take a bit more skill, we have a rather extensive section on welders and welding which WILL be useful.
don,t assume you need a NEW welder, IM using a 30 plus year old TIG I purchased used from an automotive repair shop that was closing, its hardly state of the art, but it gets the job done and even with the required parts and repairs it cost me under $1200 to get up and running

BTW I had a shop teacher back in high school that had a Porsche 911 engine installed in a VW so I know theres some performance options

you can ask questions and get good info here
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/co ... /forum.php

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/ar ... GMAW-GTAW/

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DorianL said:
Having done the Big Brutal Detroit Iron... ...
Click to expand...

????? I,m a bit confused.....
Ive never seen you build a 540-632 plus cubic inch big block , chevy, Chrysler hemi or boss ford super charged or turbo, 800hp-1200 hp Detroit engine?? :mrgreen:
and while a 600hp sbc IS rather impressive its not nearly in the same ball park :lol:
 
That'd be true... :mrgreen:

But I am after something my better half would drive... She won't touch the chevy.

Plus, I'd get a kick turning this into a street demon.

There is a VW car get-together coming up... Maybe I'll find what I'm looking for there?

http://www.europeanbugin.com/page.asp?pageid=7
 
In a few weeks, I might go buy myself a MIG soon and start learning how to use it.

My guess is you can get a KG on the cheap if you have to weld it up. Hmmm, I wonder if it makes sense, while the frame is off, to weld in some extra braces...
 
Was originally going to buy a MIG on ebay - but I am told that over here, people sell their MIGs if there is something wrong with them and keep them if they are good.

I have a buddy of mine that can get a discount on ESAB equipment. I'm considering portable: ESAB Caddy 160i or a 200i. Apparently the 200i is more versatile. The other (likely cheaper but still good quality) is designed for 0.8mm wire.

I better start saving my nickels and dimes - it's about time that I learn how to weld.

http://products.esab.com/Templates/T041.asp?id=179839

http://products.esab.com/Templates/T041.asp?id=179791
 
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