Project Ghia progress so far .... is there an end in sight??

[Ruffrider]

I've been going over the undercarriage and interior seeking out and destroying rust. The worst was inside the left front wheel well where a shoddy repair ( can't even really call it a repair) of the fender was done. Whoever did it replaced the fender but left inside crunched and pulled away from floor pan. They plugged the hole with plumbers putty and insulating foam that acted like a sponge! Lazy idiots



After much banging and cutting, welding, and some fiberglass, here's what it looks like now ( it's not perfect by any means but it'll do).

[Ruffrider]

The right front side wheel well had some more of the same.


fixed ... not too pretty but should suffice.

This next hole is from inside thru to left rear wheel well.


The welded patch ( i fiber glassed the inside). This has been a lot of work! She'll be worth it though I hope. Well I better get back at it.

[FJCamper]

Hi Ruffrider,

Your Ghia is lucky to have found you.

FJC

[Ruffrider]

FJCamper said:

Hi Ruffrider,

Your Ghia is lucky to have found you.

Thanks FJ. She's in for blasting now and should be to my body and paint guy next week. Stay tuned. Thanks for the encouragement

[Ruffrider]

Back from media blasting and at my buddies place for body and paint. Now I've got to get the better half to choose a color

[FJCamper]

Hi Ruffrider,

Classic Ghia colors:

1. Official German racing white.
2. Unofficial German silver (all our Ghia racers are silver)
3. Italian (Ferrari) pure firetruck racing red

FJC

[FJCamper]

One of the most attractive -- not racy or bold -- was the Olympic Blue VW once used.

http://www.classicalgasmotors.com/cars/0797/0797.htm

Photos don't do it justice. You have to see it.

FJC

[Ruffrider]

I love the silver but it's my wife's car and she's leaning towards an olive green. Nothings firm yet though. I'm just the mechanic She saw a Mustang green she liked. I need to pin her down on it soon cuz my body guy will be ready to paint soon. We're replacing the rear apron and panels under tail lights. The car had been hit in the rear and had a lot of bondo. She should be pretty solid when it's done!

[Ruffrider]

I think I've convinced my wife to go with a charcoal/silver color with light metal flake. We've seen some nice Dodge and Ford dark silvers she likes. We have more time to think about it cuz my friend whose doing the body work has found alot of bondo in the rear. The car was hit in the rear and someone did a real poor job repairing her. Lots of Bondo. So far we've replaced the rear apron and panels under tail lights. He's had to cut away some of the metal surrounding the engine skirt and will weld in new metal to make gaps close up and look correct. It was all sculpted in with Bondo and cracked sheet metal just covered up! Some sheet metal has been replaced also behind door and in front of rear tire on drivers side. He's doing a good job and taking it slow. Aligning the rear fenders so that engine hood fits is tough. Previously it was all filled with about a half inch thick of Bondo. Yuck. Anyway, he's getting it straightened out so that it will only have a skin layer of filler. It's amazing to discover what this car has been through! It's a slow process as he works full time and does body work/ paint on the side. I told him to take as much time as he needs. He's giving me a killer deal anyway and I don't care how long it takes as long as it is done right.

[Ruffrider]

Just paid a visit to my buddy Roy's shop to view progress on Ghia. He's doing a fabulous job. Basically he's repairing previous bad repairs. The rear is coming along with all new rear apron and panels under tail lights.



Here's the man himself caressing a fine machine in progress.

[Ruffrider]

Well she's back in my garage after getting new paint. I've installed doors and trunk bonnet, gas fill door, and some door hardware. Lots of work left to do. My goal is to have car ready to drive by early spring. Paint color is Porsche Seal Gray Metallic.

[carl4x4]

Nice colour grey and silver metallics look great on a Ghia

[Ruffrider]

Well, I'm finally am getting around to posting an update. My Gal's Ghia is all but finished. Some odds and ends remain. Like the horn, radio, and assorted electrical issues. But all the running lights work and we've put a couple hundred miles on it. My wife loves her "new/old" Ghia. I need to put front bumper on too. It's been to this stage since spring. Now I need to finish up the details.

[FJCamper]

Hi Ruffrider,

You have created a masterpiece!

FJC

[gands]

That car is the reason my next build will be a Ghia. The stance is perfect and strong, very nice.