46 years ago today – My first NEW car and the Great Midwest Blizzard of 1967

46 years ago today, I got my brand new 1966 Karmann Ghia.  My first NEW car! My 1st car, a 1960 Ghia 'back lot special' was wrecked driving home from school the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 1966, by a man who ran a stop sign and t-boned me.  One of the Detroit area dealers at the time, still had 3 '66 141 (LHD convertible) demos for sale and we were all set to go get one when we got word of a NEW '66 coupe still on the lot at the local dealer.  So dad arranged the financing for me and we were all set to pick it up the afternoon of 26 Jan 1967.  I was QUITE EXCITED to say the least.  MY FIRST NEW CAR!!!  I was just short of 17 years old. It was a Thursday and it began snowing in the morning.  My buddy Duane was going to run me to the bank after school to get my $300 down payment from savings and then on to pick up dad at work and finally on to the dealership. By 6th hour, the snow was getting worse so Duane and I decided to forge notes to get out of Electronics class.  I suspected from the look on his face that Mr. Kile knew these notes were forgeries, but he just kinda smiled and told us we'd better get going.  So we left school an hour early in Duane's '63 Rambler, dropped by the bank and then down to dad's office.  Snow's REALLY coming down now! Dad said I was crazy to get this car today and that we should all just go home.  "Nope!  Can't do it!  First new car!"  Duane and I tried to talk him into leaving work early but he wouldn't do it so finally at 4:30, quitting time, we all piled in the Rambler and headed for Bushouse VW several blocks north, on Capital Avenue, near Union Street.   We got about a block before Duane got stuck and burnt out his clutch trying to rock it out.  Dad was mad.  Standing in the road he pointed that index finger and yelled at me: "You boys get this car out of the road!  I'm going to walk up and get the Ghia.  Be ready to go when I get back!".  "Yessir!"  Then, just as he turned to go, he added "AND I'M GOING TO DRIVE IT HOME 'CAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO WRECK IT!"  I can see him in my mind's eye to this day, red faced with that vein sticking out of his neck, and pointing that finger!  "OK, dad".  The snow's about 8-10" deep at this point. So Duane and I and the guy at the corner gas station finally got the car into the gas station lot and about an hour later we see the Bermuda Blue Ghia coming down the street all shiny and new.  We yelled 'thanx' to the gas station guy and ran out to meet it.  I jumped in the back and Duane rode shotgun. About an hour later we finally made the 3-4 miles to Duane's house and let him out.  Another 20 minutes to get the last mile home.  As we came down our street we saw mom's '65 Mercury in the driveway, just off the street.  I said to dad, "Where are you going to put it; you can't leave it on the street overnight, you'll get a ticket"  (normally you would, but probably not THAT night!  There were abandoned cars scattered all over town that night).  Dad said "I'm going to try to shoot it up in the front yard, just missing your mother's car".  I said "I'll get out and watch". So I'm standing there behind the Mercury with my butt up against the license plate and dad gets the car positioned at a 45 degree angle in the middle of the street.  It was in reverse; he guns the motor a couple of times and let's go the clutch.  The Ghia starts coming back very quickly, up over the driveway apron and into the front yard and just as it flies by, I hear this HORRIBLE scraping noise. Dear Ol' Dad had caught the corner of mom's bumper with the left-rear quarter of my BRAND NEW Ghia coupe. I was almost 17 years old but I cried like a baby!  Less than 2 hours after delivery, my FIRST NEW CAR had it's 1st scar.  I never let my father forget the last words he said to me, standing in front of that Gulf station at the corner of McCamly Street and North Avenue! School was closed the next day and the following Monday and Tuesday due to the weather.  It had been the worst snow in recorded history up until that time.   But what hurt the most, I think, was with no school that Friday, Duane and his brother decided to snowshoe over to our house.  The first thing he said when he got inside was "What happened to the Ghia?" So here we are, 46 years later.  Dad passed away 2 years and 10 days ago.  I’m sure he died on the 16th of January on purpose, just so he wouldn’t have to listen to me bitch and moan about it again.

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 1969 Type 14 Ghias and that elusive '66-69 "345" Sunroof coupe.

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"

#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!

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"

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"

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!

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"

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.

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"

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!

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"