The story of this Karmann Ghia is here told as my first-hand account of acquiring and applying my 25+ years of experience restoring Karmann Ghias to restoring this one, illustrated using a great many photographs along with in-depth, knowledgeable commentary about the process. Due to the size and quantity of images, I have divided the story into parts so that not all the images need be loaded by your web browser all at one time. (Your comments are welcome - please let me know what you think.)
This beautiful Karmann Ghia came to me through a circuitous route and while I never really had an interest in doing so, I ended up buying and restoring it because if I had not, this very deserving automobile would have ended up being parted out, the former owner having abandoned it when her new boyfriend disapproved of the restoration she had initiated. Since my passions are deepest with the '50s era Karmann Ghia, this lovely machine is now available for sale. (Find the whole story of how I came to own this machine and restore it in the "Before" section.)
Yeah, the nose really is as pristine as it appears!
While the vehicle can easily be gasoline powered or electric powered, due to the contract formerly involving this automobile, this Karmann Ghia is presently electric powered! I ensured that no modifications for the conversion to electric propulsion would inhibit easy conversion back to stock (gasoline) configuration, and, indeed, there are only a few holes added in hidden locations for the mounting of electronic components making this literally a "bolt on" conversion. (In contrast, most electrified Karmann Ghias have their rear apron cut to accommodate the length of the electric motor.)
As an electric car, this Ghia is eligible for various driving privileges and tax benefits as permitted by various governments; if the buyer is interested and is willing to pay any associated fees, I will assist the buyer in obtaining whatever beneficial certifications may be available. For example, I believe that presently in California, the privilege of being able to drive at all times in a "carpool lane" is permitted with the right certifications. And I believe there are both State and Federal tax credits available.
Of course, this gorgeous automobile enjoys many new parts. Especially appealing are the restoration efforts applied to the cabriolet top, which was completely restored and includes a color coordinated external skin, interior headliner, padding, "bows" to which the upholstery components attach, cables, springs and most everything but the frame itself. The gauges required for the electric propulsion system have been custom fabricated in the early style Karmann Ghia to match the early dashboard. The restoration includes new rubber components throughout and a new wiring harness, in addition to the wiring harness required for the conversion to electric propulsion. The vehicle sports new master cylinder, brake hoses, and a host of other mechanical items. It would be too much to say everything that could be done has been done, but then, this vehicle didn't need everything done. It has received comprehensive and thorough attention to every system; what it has needed, it has received.
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An electrically powered automobile requires different gauges than a gasoline powered one - and a lot more of them. So, gauges were designed to fit the needs of this automobile and vendors selected to fabricate them in the old-school look-and-feel of the early Karmann Ghia, as is fitting to the dash board installed in this machine. One of the two vendors involved is VDO, the OEM for the Karmann Ghia's gauges. The gauges come with warrantee, and stylishly match the automobile.
Tan, an original Karmann Ghia top color, was chosen as the match-color for the ivory (almost white) exterior. To match, original tan Karmann Ghia seats were sourced with no rear seat provided. The door panels are also original tan with tan felt linings.
Here is documented the original set of goals for the electric propulsion system.
So there are no surprises, this section documents known deviations from stock.
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