Category: The Rebuilding Journey

We finally made it home.  After fighting every step of the way, she’s here.

…and so starts the adventure.  It’s been getting a lot of attention on the way.

After knocking the brakes loose, we got it on the trailer.  It was a bear, but KOD bro ingenuity prevailed.

I have returned from my trip to Ohio.  Whilst there, I paid a visit to the Ghia.  She’s still there…  rotting away.  Every time I see it though, I get fired up to begin stripping it down.

I did some checks on the body and the right rear quarter is concerning me.  It sounds like there’s a lot of Bondo back there and the deck lid does not line up well at all.  Guess I’ll see what I’m dealing with after media blasting.

Here are a few more pictures taken back in the Summer of 2006.  I really appears to be in great condition for a restoration project.  We’ll see what media blasting reveals though.  The fact that the driver’s front quarter is missing the Karmann badge concerns me.

Hi.  My name is Jim and this is my 1973 Karmann Ghia.

Allow me to give you a little background on this car.  This beloved VW belonged to my grandfather, who passed away some years ago.  I believe this car was one of his favorites and he worked much in it in his northern Ohio garage to restore it.  In his will, he left the car to my mother.  At the time, she lived in Oregon and was unable to take possession of the car.  The Ghia sat out for a few years, exposed to the elements.  Rusting began.

Since then, mom moved back to Ohio and took possession of the VW.  Knowing I could breathe new life into this air-cooled piece of automotive history and give it a more climate stable home in Georgia, she gave it to me.

And so our journey begins.

In honor and memory of my Grandfather, I vow to completely restore this Karmann Ghia to the show car I know he would want it to be.  It’s going to be a long project for sure.  I’ll learn a lot and hope to meet many new friends along the way, within the various auto shops and car forums I’ll be frequenting.  I sincerely believe between myself and my best friend Brent (and his mad welding skills), this little car will become a gem.

Until next year, when I can trailer you down to Georgia, have a nice winter rest in Mom’s garage.  See you in 2010.