Karmann Ghias I've Owned: 2012

07 July 2012

Chrome Blue '69 Coupe SHIPPED today!

My new Chrome Blue '69 Coupe FINALLY shipped, today (7 Jul 12). ETA in Battle Creek is Tuesday or Wednesday!

Also negotiating on a Sunset Orange '69 Convertible; within driving distance. If we come to terms, might pickup as early as Saturday (14 Jul). If successful, will probably sell the Adriatic Blue '72 ' vert.

Art
(O = | = O)
'67 343 Ghia Coupe
'69 143 Ghia Coupe L62K
'69 143 Ghia Coupe L51K
'72 141 Ghia Convertible
RIP:
'60 143 Ghia Coupe
'66 143 Ghia Coupe
'68 113 Sedan
'71 143 Ghia Coupe
'74 143 Ghia Coupe
"Always looking for NICE '66, '69, '71 Type 14 Ghias and that elusive '66-69 "345"

13 June 2012

#8 - another '69 143, but in the right color

Today, I agreed in principle with the seller, to purchase another 1969 143 Ghia coupe. This one in Chrome Blue(L51K). Located in Portland, OR, I hired Mike Gregory at House of Ghia (Salem, OR) to inspect it and report.

I sent Mike a check late last week for $1,000, made out to the owner. After inspection, he reported back to me and after some discussion, the seller and I agreed upon a price. I instructed Mike to give him the check and told the seller to bill the balance through Escrow.com.

It will probably be a couple of weeks before it arrives; I have to hire a shipper and it will probably be a week moving cross country.

Ghia #8 - with EMPI 8-spokes in Portland, OR

In looking at the still pics Mike provided, I probably spent a little too much, but it is the exact car I wanted and have been looking for for the better part of 2 years.

My goal was to approximate my '66 coupe - my FIRST new car. But rather than a '66 coupe in Bermuda Blue, I decided to look for a '69 in the slightly darker Chrome Blue (all my HS buddies told me that my '66 was a 'chick's car' - mostly due to the very light shade of blue). In addition, the '69 model year gave me 12v electrics, front disc brakes, larger engine, Independent rear suspension, and several other technologically advanced features.

By adding disc brake kits, front and rear, in the older "wide-5" bolt pattern, and perhaps welding in an older dash, I can really make this car LOOK, cosmetically at least, like a '66.

The "wide-5" bolt pattern would let me mount '66-only 10-slot wheels - which I consider more elegant than the '67-on 8-slot wheels! The exterior fuel-filler door and bumper mounted backup lights are about the only post-'66 features I would want to keep!

I will get a page started in a day or two with more details. I guess I will have to differentiate between #7 and #8 by paint code!

Right now, I think I will keep Ghia #7 (the Cyrpress Green one) as a winter car, driving this one, the convertible and the Type 34, ONLY in the summer!

29 March 2012

Tragedy Strikes

After church Sunday (25 Mar 12), I decided to go out to my vacant acreage out in Newton Twp. to do some measuring and rough staking. I decided to take Angel Eyes with me -- he needs to learn to become a country dog. It was a nice day, so we took the convertible.

We're going east on B Drive South, about 50 mph, between 9 and 10 mile roads, in front of a couple on a Harley. We came over a slight rise in the road and all of a sudden saw a half dozen wild turkeys in the road. 5 of them made it. I thought the 6th would too, but I guess not. I slowed as much as I could, but didn't want to panic stop with the Harley behind me.

I'm OK. So is Angel Eyes, who unlike me, was NOT wearing glasses. He seemed a little confused. Glass shards all over the front seat. We had to go almost a half mile to find a safe place to pull over. The Harley couple stopped and made sure we were OK. I'm glad I was in the lead as the Harley man said that big bird would've surely wiped them out --

We turned around and came home... slowly. I got almost the whole 11 miles back and within 1/2 mile of home, saw a cop. I was sure he was gonna stop me, but I guess he must've seen the feathers in the windshield wiper.

My insurance will waive the deductible on glass damage. Just need to get parts; should be about a week!

The Type 34 is still in the paint shop and the Type 14 coupe needs a T/S switch.

3 Ghias and they're all off the road now.

BTW... there's another '69 coupe I've got my eyes on....

Art
(O = | = O)
'67 343 Ghia Coupe
'69 Ghia Coupe
'72 Ghia Convertible
RIP:
'60 Ghia Coupe
'66 Ghia Coupe
'68 113 Sedan
'71 Ghia Coupe
'74 Ghia Coupe
"Always looking for NICE '71 Ghias and that elusive "345"

11 January 2012

Work starts tmw on the 343!

Chris will pick me up at 08:00 tmw morning and we're off to the body shop supply store to get materials. Then we start stripping the car of chrome, rubber and glass!!

Very excited! Watch for pictures!

07 January 2012

1966 Page updates

In going through Dad’s old papers recently (Dad died last year) I actually found the RD-108 (Michigan’s Dealer Invoice form) for my ’66 Ghia. Dad was a child of the Depression and NEVER threw anything away!

I’ve updated the page now with the correct serial number and I’ve changed the dealer’s name in the text from Nichols’ VW to Bushouse Motors, Inc.

I thought we bought the car just before Nichols sold to Bushouse, but apparently it was right after, as the RD-108 had Nichols manually crossed out and Bushouse written in. A safe bet would probably be the change of ownership occurred on/about 1 Jan 67.

I will try to get an image of the RD-108 loaded later.

343 in for paint!

Took the Type 34 down to neighbor Chris Coffey's house yesterday (6 January 2012). Chris is a certified body man and is going to return the 34 to it's original Lotus White this winter. He's going to allow me to help for no additional cost! Very excited to start this project!

I will be ordering all new window rubber and hopefully, the new windshield I've ordered will arrive by late February as promised!

Also trying to get my own garage cleaned out enough to the point that I can get the '69 143 inside to replace the t/s switch (that broke right after I bought it!). With all the clutter from my dad's estate, this might be impossible! Might just give up and drag the thing up to German Auto Service in Grand Rapids, and let them do it (and a couple of other minor fixes).

Sure will be nice to get that new house built and the 4-car garage out back this summer!! Can't wait!

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