1974 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia

This 1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible underwent a multi-year refurbishment after being acquired by the seller from their neighbor. Work involved stripping and repainting the body and chassis as well as installing a rebuilt 1.8L flat-four and overhauling the four-speed manual transaxle, suspension, and brakes. The car is finished in Volkswagen Zenith Blue and has been fitted with a black convertible top, bumpers, and 15 M belwagen wheels. Inside, bolstered bucket seats trimmed in black leather are accompanied by a Nardi steering wheel and an EMPI shifter. Additional equipment includes KYB shocks, front disc brakes, and dual Weber downdraft carburetors. The body was removed from the frame, stripped, and repainted in Volkswagen Zenith Blue as part of the project. The car wears a replacement black convertible top along with powder-coated black bumpers with overriders. A Ghia badge is affixed to the right fender, and further details include halogen headlights, dual side mirrors, and a vented decklid. The 15 M belwagen wheels are finished in satin black and mounted with 195/65 Sentury tires. The front disc and rear drum brakes were overhauled and various suspension components were stripped and repainted as part of the build. Additional work involved replacing the brake master cylinder and anti-sway bars as well as adding KYB shocks. The cabin houses bolstered bucket seats trimmed in black leather that are paired with lap belts. Color-coordinated upholstery covers the door panels, and the dash, headliner, and carpets have also been replaced. The split-spoke Nardo steering wheel is paired with a floor-mounted EMPI shifter. The wheel frames a VDO 120-mph speedometer as well as a clock with an inset fuel-level gauge. An oil pressure gauge and voltmeter have been added below the dash. The five-digit odometer shows 83k miles, approximately 2k of which have been added under current ownership. The seller states that true mileage is unknown. The 1.8L flat-four is said to have been rebuilt prior to being installed using parts sourced from European Motorworks of Hawthorne, California. Work is noted to have involved refurbishing the crankcase, regrinding the crankshaft, installing 90.5mm pistons,and replacing the connecting rods, cylinders, and cylinder heads as well as the camshaft and followers. The engine is equipped with dual Weber 40 IDF carburetors, which were rebuilt with replacement seals, gaskets, and jets. The starter motor and alternator were also replaced at the time of the engine work. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle that was dismantled, inspected, cleaned, and reassembled as part of the project. The chassis was also media-blasted, fitted with replacement floor pans, and refinished.