The resurrection of my 1960 karmann ghia

[Antoine_P]

Thanks so much to all of you!

@Eugene: Can’t be happier than knowing that my humble work inspire others to start on projects! Keep on

Antoine

[Antoine_P]

So, sometimes you have to take a few steps back to get it as wished.. I had welded my pan halves almost 1,5 years ago and even if robust, the welding aspect wasn’t that good.. i had left it, but I decided that I can’t let a part of the build not making me proud so.. I redid it

Primer removed, welding cleaned, rewelded where necessary, ground down and back in primer




















And as it’s good for regular checking, I mounted the front panel back with some grips and this time didn’t forget to take some pictures:




And my favorite, my motivation-boosting picture:


Cheers

Antoine

[bill m]

Congratulations on MSOTM Antoine. Well done!

[Jack 1957]

Originally Posted by Antoine_P

So, sometimes you have to take a few steps back to get it as wished.. I had welded my pan halves almost 1,5 years ago and even if robust, the welding aspect wasn’t that good.. i had left it, but I decided that I can’t let a part of the build not making me proud so.. I redid it

Antoine

I know what it's like to lose sleep wondering and second guessing your work. Wise decision to tackle it now if it bothers you... Congrats on MSOTM.

[Antoine_P]

Thanks so much guys, really appreciated!

Due to family holidays, I had only a couple hours for the ghia but step by step it‘s getting solid

I took care of those holes:




Cutting after lots of measurement:


And a „Pizza-Box“ Template for the tube:








Patch panel ready:


Welded from behind like original:


In position:


Welded:


And in primer:


Cheers

Antoine

[Antoine_P]

Feels so good having again something to report here!!

I had a lot of issues with my beetle, that led to no time for the ghia for several months. But it looks like that it's now over and I plan to work on the ghia every week like before I started in January back on this project

so, what happened the last couple weeks?

I first finished my second door strut, so that I will be able to start the heater channel when time comes.. Of course, everybody loves pictures so:




Then I made a bit on the front-left bottom..here is also some work needed:


same behind the front metal:


so let's measure the fresh metal needed:


and make some place:


the part of the heater channel behind was quite rusted..




then adjusting:




and point welding in place with the tig:


and continuously welding, mostly without extra material, as adjustment was great:


Almost fully welded, next time I will finish the welding, planishing it and then put in primer:




stay tuned, a lot more coming

Antoine

[Pehr]

Nice to see that you’re on it again

[devin1]

Nice work Antoine,good to see you back at it! Love your shop!

[crystallographic]

Originally Posted by Antoine_P

Feels so good having again something to report here!!

I had a lot of issues with my beetle, that led to no time for the ghia for several months. But it looks like that it's now over and I plan to work on the ghia every week like before I started in January back on this project

so, what happened the last couple weeks?

I first finished my second door strut, so that I will be able to start the heater channel when time comes.. Of course, everybody loves pictures so:




Then I made a bit on the front-left bottom..here is also some work needed:


same behind the front metal:


so let's measure the fresh metal needed:


and make some place:


the part of the heater channel behind was quite rusted..




then adjusting:




and point welding in place with the tig:


and continuously welding, mostly without extra material, as adjustment was great:


Almost fully welded, next time I will finish the welding, planishing it and then put in primer:




stay tuned, a lot more coming

Antoine

Hi Antoine,
Lovely images, nice progress to see, very nice welding.
I am enjoying this view so much - and not having to do this K.Ghia.
Sometimes enjoying the voyeur position is enough.

[Antoine_P]

Thanks so much, these kind of feedbacks means the world to me! Doing my best at it, learning all the was, and enjoying the journey!

So, continuing on my latest update, it was almost fully welded..but only almost.

I had originally planned a bit differently but finally made the patch on the whole width as there was some rust in the front too:


so all welded, and cleaned:










Then my attention can go back to the front :twisted:

I once again mounted all fenders, hood,.. and took measurement/alignment, and then put some bracing to the front to keep it in the good position:




and then it's a matter of forming the new airbox:






and putting some welding primer before tack welding it together:


Cheers

Antoine