Hey all!

I thought my last post on my thread in the 'Type 3 and Karmann Ghia' forum would probably work here as well......

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SO WHATS THE PLAN MAN?!?!

Well a couple of nights ago i made the mistake of searching Karmann Ghia on here and seeing every ones awesome cars. It actually depressed the hell out of me at the time. Comparing mine to those i saw that is. Then i walked outside and saw my little baby sitting all alone in the carport. I suddenly was in love again and remembered that because she isnt what most think as beautiful, she is to me (naaawwweee...) and the fact i have a Karmann all of my own, something i thought would never happen, is all that matters.



Anyways for those that are interested i thought id reiterate what it is im planing to do in the near future, what it is im wanting to achieve long term (maybe), ask some opinions, and show what ive done so far....as well as titillate you with some more pics.

Firstly as most of you know ive decided to go my much loved "Rat Rod" look. Ive also decided to Slam the hell out of it after finally working out what the word "slam"actually means.


Over last weekend I started sorting out the electrics which proved to be pretty bloody easy. My dad who initially rolled his eyes when i got my car was suddenly on board and excitingly showing me all this cool stuff. (Geez i wish he was a panel beater

This first pic is similar to what im going to try and get my karmann to be like in the immediate future (or at least within the next 12 months). First i want to sort out the wheel arch problem. It looks like ive source two full rear Ghia wheel arches for only 250 bucks each...Whoo!! Apparently they are in good condition. Ill be going to check them out this weekend.

So it really comes down to this, do i want to make custom flares? or do i want to go the slightly easier route and stitch on some already fabricated rear panels? Ill know more once my instructional dvd turns up on 'Karmann Flares for the beginner'... but think ill take the easier option. Once ive fixed up my arch delemer ill maybe look at the pans. Even though they look crap the inside fiberglass is solid as, so im not in a great rush.











Finally my much wanted gear knob turned up! Im not sure if ill use it but ive always wanted one since the day i saw it so who cares...it can sit on the shelf if i decide to go the 'T bar'...or ill use it as an umbrella handle and have the narliest umbrella in town

Btw do people use the 'T' bars with Manuals? Im sure ive seen them on manuals...looks great but it doesnt make sense. Pretty sure the General Lee on the "Dukes of Hazzard" had one.




Now opinion time?

What do you like better? Should i use my already existing upholstery. Which is new by the way from 17 years ago, just never used. Or should i use my newly acquired Californian Potato sacks for that 'real rat look!?' Hmmm tough one...opinions appreciated guys. Also what seating should i use? The ones original ones from my Red Ghia or the bucket style racing seats that came with the car?









and finally just for fun i thought id show you what id love to get my car looking like in the long run. I have a couple of car spray painter mates i can call on but think i might need the services of an air brush artist. Ive always hated the air brushed patina look but if its not overly uniformed could probably deal with it. Hey! i might even do it myself by slowly adding colors over time and watching them fade and rust in style Anyway who knows.

Thanks for lookin!!







oh! yesterday i finally got my steering wheel correct. Since fixing some of my electrics including the horn, each time i turned the wheel my horn would go off. I had to grind down the bottom lip of the wheel (red part) because is kept making contact with the steering column...now its all good

Only problem is i don't have the horn button for that wheel. I really like it as well so if i cant find one think ill just leave it and use the bare wire as a horn...just adds to the effect

Bring it on dude! love the chrome empi look

btw, its got 50,s taillights

Ha ha! i was waiting for someone to see that Nice work...

Yeah i know the mags make it ey! Im definitely getting some...Thanks man!

hey, the rat looks SERIOUSLY cool! how's it coming along?
sorry if this is rude but was it you who was doing the photoshopping on cars a while ago? only because i'd be curious to see how my car would go with whitewalls/moondiscs and a simple bonnet colour change?

if not, it's all good! let me know though!! (PM me)

oh and definately go the potato sack interior with the LOW seats! not racing ones! but what year is your ghia??

@Du88en...Cheers mate. My KG is a 61. Ive been busy with work the past couple of months but am about to get back into it. Time to fix up the back brakes and get the windscreens in. Id be happy to see what i can come up with for you in photoshop. Ill pm you my address and if you can send me the relevant pics it shouldnt be a prob...Its fun when you enjoy it.

@t1 time....oooohh dude talk about opening a can of worms. The rat look can mean so many things. for some it means just a hotter looking car, nice paint job, lowered etc Some others like the rustic keep the car the way you've found it look, nicely aged but with a killer chromie engine. I personally like the surface rust, lowered, nice engine, interesting interior look. I love the thought of having a nice sort after car like a Karman ghia looking anything but what most think they should look like. You definitely get more looks

But im sure others have other opinions of what the rat means to them so please feel free to add your thoughts. I even think there might be a dedicated thread on it in here some where...

Anthony

Rat look to me is like a hot babe mud wrestling :p

Shes dirty, and sexy at the same time , and together... it makes for some fun extra sexiness....

Not that i have eva mud wrestled a muddie babe before lol, sand maybe... but ha! not mud...

Keep the orig paint and scrum, slam it, shiny wheels and strong powerplant. thats a rat for ya!

I love the rat look in general and what you want to do is going to produce a really good one. Keep going.

May I suggest that you consider painting it with graffiti art? Some of the graffiti art that is seen around is stunning. Find yourself a graffiti artist who will take on a customer directed commission and you could produce a real winner. Just make sure that the artist uses automotive touch up cans of paint. Then clear coat it.

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT SHIFTER?!
Sorry I hate people that Type in Caps-Lock but that is worthy of it - i LOVE that shifter!

lol...i caps doesn't bother me...try this

http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/Gennie-Shifter/Gennie-Shift-Knobs/Gennie-Shi...

Quote:

Lol thanks! It's taken a while but it's about to get started

Any updates yet?

This thing is gonna look wild.

G'day

Yep it started some serious work a few weeks ago actually! It's all happening on another thread.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=77738 

Yes i can't wait!