Classic 71 Karmann Ghia being kustomized

[bandydesign]

I have a 1971 VW Karmann Ghia that I purchased about a year ago and fixed up most mechanical issues it had. Soon, I will begin a complete restoration with a custom twist. The pictures I have now dont show any of the progress, but they are at the most current state. Rust and all. :)

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/243.jpg



http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/242.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/255.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/258.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/260.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/PICT0029.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/PICT0166.jpg

[SixSquared]

If you only knew how much my mom wants one of these.. such cool little cars...

[VooDooXII]

Subscribed.

I love these cars and I want to see how this one turns out. :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob:

[exjnv]

i absolutely love these cars! check these out.. maybe some ideas :D
i know not all the same but yeakno

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/Web_721119.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/DSC05434.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/411trailer8km.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/dsc01380ls.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/DSCF1269.jpg

[JDMJAYDC2]

i love these cars so much wish i could afford one i would love one with a nice turbo kit on it

[VooDooXII]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/DSC05434.jpg

HOLY HOTNESS!

[Alan®]

good to see you finally registered bandy

[nreggie454]

Very nice! My dad used to have one way back in the day and he still talks about it.
+1

[mushroom_toy]

LMao, where you at Biglots today...i Took a picture or two of your car. It sparked my interest.

[bandydesign]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/DSC05434.jpg
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, this car is incredible, I have seen it before and I hope to do similar work. :D

O, and if you think that you have seen my car around lately, Im afraid not because I had to drop the insurance :(. Please send more pics everybody! I want ideas Im gunna go pretty crazy I think with it. A real clean custom look atleast.

Thanks everybody! I'll keep plenty of pics comin when work begins.

[VooDooXII]

Slammed to the floor with chrome-bowl hubcaps and white walls...the color you have is pretty nice, but not my cup of tea...but hey, do what you do!

[bandydesign]

I doubt mine will sit that low but I agree with the color and the debadging Im all about the Empi 8spoke wheels and then youd have to do away with the white walls.

[DrunkScotsman]

a chrome 911 turbo would fit nicely in the back!!

[KPowerEP3]

in for updates...I LOVE Karmann Ghias. My dad restored one when I was younger, and I always thought it was the coolest thing.

I think a nice metallic gunmetal grey would look good on one. Or a nice silver like this:


http://www.distinctivereplica.com/sitebuilder/images/01-485x314.jpg

[Frög]

ooo me likey!!

[Mr. Clean]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/exjnv/DSCF1269.jpg

mmmm... i would drive the dog piss out of that

[Repost Squintz]

now thats straight up gangsta

[Alan®]

in for updates...I LOVE Karmann Ghias. My dad restored one when I was younger, and I always thought it was the coolest thing.

I think a nice metallic gunmetal grey would look good on one. Or a nice silver like this:


http://www.distinctivereplica.com/sitebuilder/images/01-485x314.jpg
OH MY SEXORS HAWT SHI T!!!!!!!11111!!!!!!!!!!!11bandy if you do it up like this you are the man

[bandydesign]

Yeah guys, that silver pic thats floating around on this thread was like my original inspiration. Im taking so many things from that design.

The one thing I will definately steal from that one is this:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/ghia_silvertaillights.jpg

Alright, so here are some more pics of that same car, enjoy!!!
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/ghiabkg1.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/ghia_silverint.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/ghia_silver.jpg

[bandydesign]

Ok, so I suppose Ill post my first step of the resto-project. I put together a strong wooden frame to hold the body after you seperate it from the pan. So here is the construction of that simplified into 2 pics.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/PICT0032.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/PICT0041.jpg



Its on dollies so that I can manuveur it around the garage and put it in the center when a car is pulled out. That way I can work with more room.

After saying this, Im bringin the car to a friend's shops so it can be worked on more readily. Therefore, Im not sure we'll need to use these.

Nevertheless, this is the official first post of the restoration/customisation.

[SampaGuy]

vw aircooled 1600cc engine FTW, im gonna own a puma someday

[puregroove]

now thats straight up gangsta

+1 :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob:

[bandydesign]

Dude, Ive never heard of a VW Puma before but I just googled it and I want one! plv, what do you know about them are they kits? When were they sold? In the US ever?

[santacruz77]

yay for vw! im looking to get a old bug sooner or later

[bandydesign]

Well, once my ghia is all tricked out, it just might go up for sale ;)

[GermanMuscle]

a chrome 911 turbo would fit nicely in the back!!

2x

my grand father had 2 of them back in the day and always tells me how much he loved those cars. and my grand mother also had one when she met my grand father...everyone had one in germany eventhough they are rare today

[BKgen®]

nice. good to see something different on here.

[bandydesign]

its definately different. Its a beat-up project and it still gets plenty of attention. I can only imagine the response to the completed version of this car!

[Jblizzard]

hey hey i helped do that front axle in that bish

sup bandy

[bandydesign]

Yeah, props go out to my man Jon, helpin me with that front axel :) haha!

[BKgen®]

its definately different. Its a beat-up project and it still gets plenty of attention. I can only imagine the response to the completed version of this car!

i know exactly what you mean :goodjob:

[SampaGuy]

Dude, Ive never heard of a VW Puma before but I just googled it and I want one! plv, what do you know about them are they kits? When were they sold? In the US ever?


They were made in brazil, they are really popular over there. I think they only imported like 2,000 of them to the US in the 70s. Same platform as your karmannghia.

http://wj2d.100megsdns.com/home.html

[VooDooXII]

its definately different. Its a beat-up project and it still gets plenty of attention. I can only imagine the response to the completed version of this car!

Do you like SAABs? :D

I seriously can't wait to see this thing get completed.

[bandydesign]

Alright, heres an update. The cars in a shop stall quite thuroughly taken apart. I'll post pics when I can get ahold of them. Just picked out the rims she'll sit on. Aren't they pretty?

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ghiawheels4.jpg

[jorge095]

Those rims are going to look good on the car.

[bandydesign]

Yeah, if I ever get around to it ill photoshop them in. lol

[manilikecars]

nice project man. love the ghia, my dad has two fastbacks. old school vws are awesome.

[B_Hoov]

if you need a hand or some magazines for parts etc...i have PLENTY from when we restored one and a bug, these things look SICK when done right, i see one every weekend thats bright red ,slammed on chrome wheels. i think he has a Porsche engine swap as well!

[Jblizzard]

bad ass rims there son +1

[Rican219]

I love air cooled I have a 1974 and 1972 Super Beetle I have been playing with.

[RUFFIAN]

I had a 69. you are going to get people stopping you all day. "you wanna sell your Ghia"? "Nice Ghia" and such. Be carefull about wrecking it. Ghia's are only 3 pieces. a front, middle and rear. there NO QUARTER PANELS!! trust me on the pain in the a$$ and cost you will save yourself in heeding these words. G/L I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[bandydesign]

Thanks guys.


if you need a hand or some magazines for parts etc...i have PLENTY from when we restored one and a bug, these things look SICK when done right, i see one every weekend thats bright red ,slammed on chrome wheels. i think he has a Porsche engine swap as well!

^ I might just take you up on that. The more ideas the better. Ive been using JCwhitney and Cip mainly. Do you know any others off hand?

[Rican219]

Thanks guys.



^ I might just take you up on that. The more ideas the better. Ive been using JCwhitney and Cip mainly. Do you know any others off hand?

http://www.toplineparts.com/frameset.html
http://www.jbugs.com/Volkswagen-Parts.htm
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/
And the best site for Boosted VDUB Motors and kits http://lowbugget.com/

[bandydesign]

Thanks! I know of the samba. I actually bought my car off of that site.

[WalkS]

looks good man! cant wait to see what are you going to do to this next! now i have the urge to restore my 74 bug...

[bandydesign]

^^ Get goin on it man! aircooled Vdubs are awesome! Show me some pics.

[exjnv]

im jealous

[RiceBoy]

Here is my old 62 that I restored from the ground up...Won couple of awards too. Sold it many moons ago to a gentleman from Cali!

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/44/44439/folders/44982/277591ghia.jpg

[Rican219]

Here are pics of my bugs still under construction :goodjob:

[2shroom]

wow that is one hot beauty. my buddy has one down the street and its doesnt look anything that good

[bandydesign]

Here are pics of my bugs still under construction :goodjob:

Does it look more like the first 2 pics or the last 2??

[Rican219]

Does it look more like the first 2 pics or the last 2??

Those are both of them 1974 and 1972. I have 2 one is being boosted and the other is going to be NA

[bandydesign]

Haha awesome. Let me know when you've got one on the road. We'll have to go for a photoshoot.

[Rican219]

Haha awesome. Let me know when you've got one on the road. We'll have to go for a photoshoot.

LOL Sweet will do!

[bandydesign]

So I finally got some pics.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/IMG_0003.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/ekstuff1462.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/IMG_0018.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/IMG_0020.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/IMG_0023.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/IMG_0028.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/Ghia_ad/IMG_0058.jpg

The dash will be blended nicely and there is a subtle detail below the taillights that will really set it off. Alot of the rust and holes have been blended and repaired. The floor pans were replaced everything is stripped down. I've got an enclosure for 2 12s in the works.

Thats my friend Corey in the pics whose doin the custom work.

[manilikecars]

atleast your doing it right, most people would just paint over the rust.

[bandydesign]

Yah theres a bit of bondo but holes were fiberglassed etc. Nothing is being overlooked.

[DrewS2K]

looking good bandy.. love some good old body work lol

[bandydesign]

My wheels are in ill post pics when I take 'em!

[UpSideDownDesi]

oh damn..new classic love. I def need to buy one and do some magic to it. In my "to buy car list". How much do these usually run $$$$$?

[bandydesign]

Ya dude browse around thesamba.com but under 3k for one that needs some TLC

[jdm_91crx]

nice ghia, keep up the good work. Hope the project car turns out great.

[foety_foe]

**** yea. good luck on the project. old vw's are awesome. i used to have a 68 fastback. but then traded it for a 73 bug with dual carbs and a front lowering beam. i miss my fastback.

[bandydesign]

Been awhile, so here is a huge update!


So to begin, the body work has been extensive here is early:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1546.jpg

This is going to fit an LED tail strip:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1553.jpg


Here is the LED fitted; just about flush:http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1555.jpg


This is the enclosure I built for it, Corey through on some fiberglass:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1547.jpg

Then I put together a simple tray to help the whole back steup to flow; again more fiberglass:http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1550.jpg


Here is the fiberglass being added to the enclosure:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1541.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1534.jpgAnd seats from a Camry test fitted:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1528.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1524-1.jpg

This is some early bodywork as well; we got rid of those ugly signals, the new ones will be hidden behind the grilles:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1508.jpg

Early work on the dash:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/ekstuff1478.jpg

Ah the primered enclosure in the primered car :) :
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/DSC_0089.jpg

Primered rear deck:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/DSC_0081.jpg

Final choice of seats; custom upholstered by somebody in Memphis. He did a fine job anybody guess what seats these are from?
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/DSC_0066.jpg

:)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/DSC_0059.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/DSC_0057.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/kevinbandy1/IA/DSC_0052-1.jpg

[Humphrizzle]

seats from a camry..

[bandydesign]

The ones test fitted were but the actual ones used were from a Corolla. Not very different I'm sure.

[Humphrizzle]

looked toyota-like.

i thought it might be a trick question.. so i tried to out think the shiat.

[bandydesign]

All the ugly brown plastics on the sides will be died to match, I think they will fit nicely in the Ghia

[KPowerEP3]

holy crap nice update. I like the signal delete alot. really cleans it up.

[bandydesign]

Yah, if you noticed it on the first page or so, it needed to be gone. Corey cleaned up all of the detail lines; building up edges to be sharper then fading them off near their ends. Its an incredible effect!

[Revmaynard]

Looking good man!

[NAIZBST]

looks good

[WannabeSpecV]

That makes me want to go out and buy one now. Keep up the good work!

[STI101]

Dats tight!

[n00bsrus]

looks awesome!

[bandydesign]

Thanks guys, ill rep those who I can.

[rollininstyle2004]

Nice :goodjob:

[manilikecars]

its gonna be clean, thats for sure

[bandydesign]

So, I am terrible with keeping up with build threads. But! The car is done! and for sale..


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Totally-custom-show-car-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ200456634889QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS _Cars_Trucks?hash=item2eac258209#v4-42


I never really got any pictures of the car since it's been completed, but there are a few on the ebay page.

It has ~5k mi on a rebuilt motor, mostly new suspension and brakes.
The body has been cleaned up then resprayed in a beautiful orange.
The interior is all new and custom with leather Toyota OEM seats up front and a fiberglassed system in the back(don't worry, people wouldn't have fit back there anyhow).

[YoTa_BoX]

Well, thats a hell of an update lol.

It turned out really nice man :) I love these things. Wish I had the money, id def pick this thing up.

[Nerdsrock22]

Dude what the heck? I didn't know you had this?

Why are you selling it?

[bandydesign]

Dude what the heck? I didn't know you had this?

Why are you selling it?

Yeah, haha! I just gotta move on, its all tied up between a couple people and I just need to get it sold.

[Nerdsrock22]

well good luck dude. I know somebody that's in the market. I'll pass this on.

[DVSRX-7]

How much did you say you wanted for it?

[bandydesign]

How much did you say you wanted for it?

Starting bid $8,500. There is easily that in it in parts.

[Mr. Clean]

damn. i never even got to see it and now it's for sale. lol. epifail.

[bandydesign]

damn. i never even got to see it and now it's for sale. lol. epifail.

Orrrr, you could just buy it ;)

[VooDooXII]

Oh my gosh it's actually finished! I thought the project had been abandoned.

It's perfect in every regard dude...inside and out. I love the color, I love the interior, wheels look great...haha it brings a tear to my eye.

EXCELLENT WORK! :goodjob::goodjob: