Sunday, December 1, 2013

Karmann Ghia Project - Panel Work


Last week we dropped the Karmann off at K-Paz Automotive Spraypainting for the bodywork. This was the third time I'd driven the car and to my surprise it actually drove better. The carburetor, which had been a bit problematic, especially in second gear, seemed to be working fine now. Perhaps running it for a while had flushed out whatever gunk was had decided to lodge in there.

The trim and fittings are removed. The last photo of the car in black.

Back from the soda blaster. Not even the same car.

It has obviously had some filler work done on it prior to receiving its black paint job, which wasn't original. I believe the car may actually have been red originally.

Some more work to be done to investigate under the filler to see what the damage is. So far there is no sign of serious damage.

Shelly is still thinking red, but maybe a little darker shade?


Update - December 2013
Here are a series of detailed photos of the underlying condition of the car.

As expected, there was bogged over rust in the bottom of the doors. This is a common problem in Ghias.

Both sills had been replaced at some point -badly. Neither actually line up with the body-line correctly and filler has been used to fill the gaps to make them align.

Bad rust repair in the left and right lower front panels. These will be cut out and replaced with replacement panels. In this picture you can clearly see that the sill has been completely bogged over as it does not line up with the body.

A small spot of rust cut out and new steel welded in. This is a test repair.

A small rust spot above the front vent.

Pleasingly the front has not been damaged in any serious way. There is a very small amount of fill on the outside of the nose to smooth over some minor imperfections.

Another interesting home repair. Where is the torsion bar inspection hole? It was in fact completely bogged over. This will all be cut out a replacement panel installed.

There was major rot in the boot lid. This was apparent even before the paint was stripped. The rot has completely destroyed the bottom half of the lid but the top is in very good condition.

I managed to source a complete boot lid from the Vee Dub Centre in Osborne Park. The top of the lid is partially damaged but the bottom is good. From the two parts we'll get a single good boot.



Part of the colour history of the car - seven layers of paint! The car was originally turquoise and has been repainted numerous times, blue, red, silver and black. This is the first time however that the car has been stripped back to bare metal.


Link the the next stage of restoration: https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2014/03/vw-karmann-ghia-progress.html

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Celebration of the Motor Car 2013 - Day


After the Saturday night cocktail party, Shelly and I stayed on to assist the team move the cars into position of the show.  This basically meant standing in the dark with a torch so Paul Blank could park the car in the right place. Paul kindly asked if I wanted to help out on Sunday.  I had to say yes!
http://www.classicrally.com.au/Celebration_of_the_Motorcar_new.htm

8.30am and the set up begins

Helping out in the Ferrari and Maserati section.  A lot of work goes into putting on a great car show and it was a pleasure to take part.

The Jags start arriving.

A magnificent Cadillac Eldorado limousine. This one was owned by a Texas oil baron before making its way down under.

A convoy of luxury cars winds its way up the driveway at the Cottesloe Civic Centre.

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, formerly owned by Frank Sinatra.  It cost new US$15000. This is ten times the amount of a contemporary Volkswagen.  A Bentley

1958 Packard Hawk.  Modelled on the Studebaker Hawk, it was the last car to use the Packard name.

A couple of Chevrolet Corvettes.  The one on the left has modern running gear underneath.

A view over the lower lawn.

The Bolwells

The range of Bolwells - from the Mark IV to the new Bolwell-Nigara.  This is the first time that all models of the Bolwell have been bought together in the same place.



Mark VII - this was my favourite of all the Bolwells.  Why don't car markers build cars like this anymore?  Sleek, curvy and sensual. I generally find modern sports cars ugly, angular and uniform.

The unique Mark VI was a specially built racing car.  It uses a Holden 'red' motor.  It resides here in Western Australia where it has enjoyed a successful racing career.

A Mark V.  This example is obviously still under restoration, but they are rare.  I look forward to seeing this one restored to its former glory soon.

The original Mark IV

Achtung Baby!  The Germans

Mercedes-Benz 220SL




100 Years of Aston-Martin

The oldest Aston-Martin in Australia.  This 1923 Aston-Martin was bought to Australia for the 1923 Grand Prix and sold off after the race. It passed through many hands before being abandoned.  It was found and restored by the well known vehicle collector, Peter Briggs.



From left to right - the DB6, DB5 and DB4.

The DB5 is a magnificent vehicle. Who wouldn't feel like James Bond driving one of these?

The French Connection





The three Facel-Vegas in WA.  In their day these exotic French cars, with Chrysler running gear, were more expensive than a Rolls-Royce and faster than a Ferrari.

Over $100K was spent on restoring this magnificent car.

Decidedly British

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom.  I find these new Rolllers ugly and not a patch on their classic predecessors.  I did however enjoy a brief ride in this beast.  It's enormous - like a truck - and very luxurious inside.  I guess it might appeal to oil sheiks?

Classic Rolls-Royce's



There were four magnificent Bentley's on display. It was a treat on the Saturday night to see Peter Briggs jump into his, start it up and tear across the lawn to its assigned parking space.  What a sound! This example was the first Bentley to compete in the Le Mans 24 hour race. It was the start of a long racing tradition.

By my reckoning there are at least four of these 20's Bentley's in Perth.

Jaguar

SS Jaguar sportster

Jaguar row. The aluminum bodied 1949 model is the oldest XKS in Australia and has been with the same owner for over 50 years.



The beautiful Jaguar E-Type

Jaguar D Type replica


Something very unusual in Perth - Swedish 1958 Volvo PV444. A recent import from the US.


50th Anniversary of the Porche 911

The earliest Porche 911 in Australia

The Americans

Ford GT supercar tribute

The extraordinary 1970 Plymouth Thunderbird. Talk about tail fin!