Bring out your dead - Kman 71 vert build

DorianL · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:15 am Post subject:

My vote goes to "patches"

kman · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:36 am Post subject:

KGCoupe · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:04 am Post subject:

kman · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:34 am Post subject:

kman · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject:

Been a bit since I posted. Still working on it. Went through a round of filler. Then a bit more epoxy. Fitting the doors, hood and decklid before I fix them and cut them in. The door fits need a bit of work, but better now than after I paint the car. also cut the holes for the earlier front blinkers.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Redid my hinges and made door check straps by making a mould and pouring high impact polyurethane around the old metal straps. After a bit of filing they work good but who knows how long they'll last. The hinges ended up nice and stiff with no sag.

Got a set of used 185/65/r15 Michelin tires for $75 with a bunch of life left in them. Soon I won't have to inflate the tires every time I want to move the chassis. This is also the exact size I was looking for. Good deal all around.

CiderGuy · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 2:40 pm Post subject:

I bought a set of 5 185/65/r15 tires on American Eagles and put two on the rear of the 70 Ghia I bought to move it. They are a tight fit. I plan on adding small flairs to my 73, which is the car I bought the tires for.

kman · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject:

I got room. At worst I'll roll the lips over steel rod. It's going back on the chassis before the outside gets color.

kman · Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:31 pm Post subject:

Spent some time reworking the fit of the drivers door. I can live with this.

kman · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 12:05 pm Post subject:

After doing some welding on the doors and some dent bumping I cut in the panels.

kman · Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject:

More painting

kman · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 5:34 pm Post subject:

I became a little overwhelmed with scale of this restoration today. Everything's in pieces and wondering what to do next I started looking through all the boxes and my mind started going in 20 different directions. Having parts from 2 different Ghias with none of the parts in great condition didn't make it any easier.

So I broke down and started making a list, which I think helped. When I get too discombobulated again and don't know what to do next at least I can focus on one thing in "the list"

It's a long list.

And still very partial.

Did I ever mention that this is my first full car restoration. It is. And as usual I have to do it the hard way.

One thing that continues to amaze me is how nicely things clean up when you put a bit of work into it. Also how quickly everything else gets messy when you do that work.

A bit of a ramble. I wasn't sure I was going to get this far. Turning $100 of sheet metal into a pretty solid body. All the braces are off of it and I've hoisted it and climbed all over it, so it's going to stay together. Now I'm in a position where I know I can finish it and am seeing the rest of the picture I guess.

ScottDoonan · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 6:17 pm Post subject:

You are doing a great job. Even though it can get overwhelming, look at what a great job you have done. The list is a imperative part of staying focused when confronted with frustration. I sometimes need to walk away for a few days from the project to regain focus. Sometimes my wife asks me why I am so stressed out about the car, I thought it was suppose to be fun? Although she doesn't understand the passion we put into our work, she is right. It is suppose to be fun. You are well on the way to a beautiful car YOU restored. Keep up the good work, look at he whole doughnut in stead of the hole, and if its worth doing, its worth doing it right. Very Happy

_________________
If you take time to do it, do it right and don't be so damn cheap.....🤙🏻

1959 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet (current restoration)
1965 Porsche 356 SC coupe
1967 Volkswagen Convertible Beetle
1969 Porsche 911E Targa 3.2 twin plug
2006 Porsche 987 RÃ¼f 3400K Prototype #2 of 2

kiwighia68 · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 6:52 pm Post subject:

I'm with Scott on this; keep going. I'm following behind watching your progress with interest since I need to learn from you and I need encouragement.

Scott is right in another point he makes; by the time I (and you too) finish this restoration I will know every nut and bolt on the car and will know that I have restored not just the car as a whole but each tiny component that goes into a Ghia.

In a way, too, by doing the job right we pay homage to the men and women in all the factories that produced the individual parts for our cars all those years ago. Our cars may carry the badges and names honouring Mr Ghia and Mr Karmann, but our cars are more than that. Much much more.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

kman · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 7:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. I'm definitely learning what to do better the next time at the very least.

Basketcase · Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 5:05 pm Post subject:

you have some serious mad metal skills! never know you were a first timer. beautiful job!
_________________
'72 Karmann Ghia Coupe (the Boss's)

kman · Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 12:28 pm Post subject:

kman · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject:

I'm almost ready for paint but it'll be a while. I need to go back and do a few things to the chassis, blast and paint wheels, put on tires. try to get a running engine. plus my truck needs some attention so it'll be awhile. It's best to let primer sit anyway so that any shrinkage happens before you paint.

I painted the dash. It's a bit dusty in there.

A view of both sides primed and sanded. I blocked with 150 then 240 then went back and did some spot filling and priming, took it back to 240 then DA'd with 400. I need to scuff edges and sand one more time with 600-800 but, it's close.

Here is another before shot. Looks a bit different now.

Here is my ghetto method of pulling dents when you can't get behind the metal with a dolly. Or, my substitute for a stud welder. I weld the head of 12 penny nails to the dents and cut them off short. Then I grab the nail with vice grips and pull on the dent while hammering gently on the high spots. Works for me.

kman · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 1:13 pm Post subject:

Independence Day miracle.

I made a motor run. This was important to me as I would like to be able to move the car around by myself after putting the body on. I also spent a lot of time figuring out how to put in and take out ball joints. Difficult but done. Here is a video of the motor running. I have another that I'm planning on rebuilding, but this is good enough for now.

Link


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Bring out your dead - Kman 71 vert build
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