My seventh Ghia – a "full set" at last!
COLOR: L 62 K (59) Cypress Green
VIN: 149436377
ENGINE: 1493cc single port, 53hp
PURCHASED: 26 Sep 2011
FROM: Jay Morgan, Montgomery, AL
SOLD:
A complete set of Ghias
After I sold the '74 coupe, I began looking for another 143 coupe of an earlier year. I like the '71s as you probably know by now, if you've read all these pages and postings, but I also have a big soft spot in my heart for the very unique '66s for two reasons.
First, I owned one as a kid - my first NEW car in fact, and secondly, the '66 models had so many unique one-year-only features, most notably, the 1" dash trim and 10-slot "wide five" wheels.
But the problem with the '66s are many: swing-axle suspension, 6v electrical, 1300cc, 50hp engine, and on and on.
So after selling the yellow '74 I started thinking, why not get a '69 and make it LOOK like my old '66. And that is what I plan to do.
ASSESSMENT:
About a week after arrival, the turn signal switch literally fell apart in my hands. It was old and brittle. I ordered a new one from KGPR, but didn't get around to installing it until Spring 2012.
The wiring is a MESS! There are wires behind the dash that seem to go nowhere; many of the dash lights, as well as the clock and dome light do not work (gee, what a surprise!) and there are a lot of wires that have been replaced with non-standard color coding. In addition, the fuse block is populated with nothing but 16 and 25 amp fuses (they should all be 8 amp).
I've also now lived with the car long enough to do a more complete assessment.
The rear quarters and one front fender bulge out more than they should, giving the car a true "wasp" shape. The Cal-look weatherstrips need to be replaced (the PO gave me the mouldings that should clean up nicely). The glove box insert was replaced with a new plastic one, but it was not modified to accept the standard hood release latch. Instead, it is in the dash where the Cigar lighter used to be with a T-handle. The Cigar lighter is under the dash, pointing down! Hidden behind faux wood dash cover is a 2" hole below the clock where an aftermarket gauge used to be. The fuel gauge is not original.
The rear hood is from a later model and had the plastic rain tray missing. I got a good used one, complete with grommets and hoses and now have it installed. The rear hood release cable needs replacing; the tubing is GONE. I will install a new copper one before the car is painted again. There's also a little bubbling on the lower edge of the deck lid and a hole under one corner of the battery.
The engine runs VERY ROUGH and I plan to replace it with a spare 1600DP I have.
The old aftermarket radio needs replacing - I have a new one, CD-less, but with an ipod dock as well as USB and SmartCard ports. I bought this radio for the 343, but might put it in this car instead. If I like it, I will get another for the 343.
If I deem this car worthy of the body work necessary (including the "wasp" like fenders), I will eventually strip it and paint it Chrome Blue.
At some point, the front beam was replaced with that from a Beetle (presumably) as it is DRUM BRAKES but with the modern 4-bolt pattern. I will, at the least, restore it to 4-bolt disc, but am also considering "wide-5" discs all around, to make it look more like my old '66.
The fuel filler door is one of the older ones that has a slight hump in it. I will replace it with the later flatter one before repainting.
I would also like to eventually replace the wipers with a system from a '72-on, with the splined shafts and cap-nuts instead of the older set-screw arrangement. The wiper blades slip too much on the shafts from long term wear.
After we repaint Chrome Blue, I will replace the interior with new 'charcoal' or 'salt and pepper' carpet, new door panels and seat covers.
While it is basically, a VERY SOLID car, there is a lot of work to be done, even to make it a reliable 'daily driver'.
Stay tuned....
ASSESSMENT:
About a week after arrival, the turn signal switch literally fell apart in my hands. It was old and brittle. I ordered a new one from KGPR, but didn't get around to installing it until Spring 2012.
The wiring is a MESS! There are wires behind the dash that seem to go nowhere; many of the dash lights, as well as the clock and dome light do not work (gee, what a surprise!) and there are a lot of wires that have been replaced with non-standard color coding. In addition, the fuse block is populated with nothing but 16 and 25 amp fuses (they should all be 8 amp).
I've also now lived with the car long enough to do a more complete assessment.
The rear quarters and one front fender bulge out more than they should, giving the car a true "wasp" shape. The Cal-look weatherstrips need to be replaced (the PO gave me the mouldings that should clean up nicely). The glove box insert was replaced with a new plastic one, but it was not modified to accept the standard hood release latch. Instead, it is in the dash where the Cigar lighter used to be with a T-handle. The Cigar lighter is under the dash, pointing down! Hidden behind faux wood dash cover is a 2" hole below the clock where an aftermarket gauge used to be. The fuel gauge is not original.
The rear hood is from a later model and had the plastic rain tray missing. I got a good used one, complete with grommets and hoses and now have it installed. The rear hood release cable needs replacing; the tubing is GONE. I will install a new copper one before the car is painted again. There's also a little bubbling on the lower edge of the deck lid and a hole under one corner of the battery.
The engine runs VERY ROUGH and I plan to replace it with a spare 1600DP I have.
The old aftermarket radio needs replacing - I have a new one, CD-less, but with an ipod dock as well as USB and SmartCard ports. I bought this radio for the 343, but might put it in this car instead. If I like it, I will get another for the 343.
If I deem this car worthy of the body work necessary (including the "wasp" like fenders), I will eventually strip it and paint it Chrome Blue.
At some point, the front beam was replaced with that from a Beetle (presumably) as it is DRUM BRAKES but with the modern 4-bolt pattern. I will, at the least, restore it to 4-bolt disc, but am also considering "wide-5" discs all around, to make it look more like my old '66.
The fuel filler door is one of the older ones that has a slight hump in it. I will replace it with the later flatter one before repainting.
I would also like to eventually replace the wipers with a system from a '72-on, with the splined shafts and cap-nuts instead of the older set-screw arrangement. The wiper blades slip too much on the shafts from long term wear.
After we repaint Chrome Blue, I will replace the interior with new 'charcoal' or 'salt and pepper' carpet, new door panels and seat covers.
While it is basically, a VERY SOLID car, there is a lot of work to be done, even to make it a reliable 'daily driver'.
Stay tuned....
