Page 24 - Karmann Komment Vol42 Issue 2

Karmann Komment Volume 42 | Issue 2
MY THIRD AND CURRENT GHIA - A ’71 COUPE
It’s been a long while since I have written
any copy for Karmann Komment. My current Ghia is my third. I have owned a 72 Coupe in white with a black roof (80's), next I owned a cardinal red 58 lowlight Coupe, which I sold to Ian Broad (former editor of KK I believe) and now my current Ghia coupe, a 1971 coupe in Light Ivory L80E.
The car is a California survivor, having never been welded and sporting most of its original ivory paint. The car lived in sunny California for most of its life, in and around Fresno in the suburbs of Tulare and Covina and had three USA Owners.
The Ghia was supplied through Guy Gardner Volkswagen Inc, in Fresno.
The car was originally sourced by Pete Morley of Californian Classics and was the first car
he sold through his newly formed company Californian Classics back in April 2014. The
car was found under a tarpaulin in a nice neighbourhood after it had been laid up after a small electrical fire in the engine bay.
Pete then sold the car to my friend Mark Howard in Bishop Auckland, who was its custodian for the next 9 years before he sold it to me in 2023.
My mission statement for the car was to fix all its faults, make the car safer and more driveable, but maintain as much of its original character and charm.
Recommission begins in 2023 as a rolling restoration. My plan was to always keep the car on the road as much as possible, only taking it off the road in the depths of winter.
I started with 5 new tyres, Firestones, fitted to the period correct Riviera Pacific Italia alloy wheels, always a good safety point and the beginning of the journey.
Suspension and Brakes
First to get my attention was the front suspension, the car had already been lowered and narrowed but after 9 years of UK usage parts needed updating. So, I set about refurbing with new Ball Joints and Track Rod Ends together with bushes and shock absorber overhaul.
I next looked at the brakes, changing the Master Cylinder, flexi hoses and brake pads, together with a good clean and paint of components including brake drums, shoes and wheel cylinders.
Low pressure brake pipes (Blue) were replaced, and rigid pipes polished and reinstalled.
All the suspension components were painted satin black and waxed.
Fuel Lines and Fuel Tank
There is a lot of talk about fuel lines and modern fuels, so I decided to change all the fuel lines to Ethanol resistant with in line filters front to back. I decided to flush the fuel
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