Karmann Ghia Convertible, 1971 Restored, Amber Signal Orange, New Top

This listing is schedule to end conveniently close to 8pm Eastern. and 11pm Pacific. on Monday. May 13th.

For sale is a restored 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. VIN #1412742909.   I will provide a very thorough listing.   I have sold one vintage car on behalf of a friend that went to California from Pennsylvania.   The buyer's comments are in my rankings.   I have a 100% rating. and I have no intention of letting that change.   Please read this listing thoroughly for the strengths and weaknesses of this classic Ghia.   One of my Dad's most prized possessions that he lovingly restored to the best of his ability.

Both my father was and I am. a Pennsylvania State Licensed Inspection Mechanic.   In PA. you must have your car inspected once a year and only licensed inspector can attest to the condition and take responsibility for their approval or disapproval of an automobile for inspection.   I do NOT make my living full-time in this pursuit.   But automobiles were my Dad's passion.   He also was a licensed auto property adjuster for the transit authority in Philadelphia. where he worked for over 45 years.   He was honored for distinguished service and trusted for his automotive knowledge.   He owned. and our family has inherited a 24 Model-T. and 1971 Honda 600. and many other fine cars that he won many awards with.   He was not a fit and finish man. but more of a nuts and bolts. and engine man.   He personally removed his Model T engine from his 1924 Model T. by HIMSELF. several months before he passed away peacefully at 88. At his funeral. the car club he belonged to parked all their antiques out front. it was quite a sight.

This would be a great vehicle for someone what wants to drive to shows and have fun on the weekends as well as for a collector who would continue with the incredible work that was done. and finish what my Dad did not complete. or what he may have weakened. (cosmetically). in his attempts to solve problems that really weren't problems. but he did them anyway.   More about that later.

The vehicle runs well. plenty of power. transmission strong.

Strengths of this Karmann Ghia:  Taking it from a near basket case. my father put the whole thing together.   New floor panels. new windshield and windshield rubber seal. new convertible top. new cover for top when the top is down. New door panels. (but handles are not new).   New rugs. although I am not totally satisfied with the look of the rugs.   New paint matching the original. [Code L20E] Amber Signal Orange.   The inside of the door panels were done. Headlamp shrouds are new chrome. What was not painted was the inside of the trunk. as seen in the photos. and the inside of the trunk lid.   New front suspension. namely ball joints.   All shocks were replaced. old ones appear. or can appear in the photos. Horns work great. NO structural rust. I have undercarriage photos.   Lots of trophies.

What works:  Windshield wipers at both speeds. (motor was replaced. I have the old one in photos) horn. turn signals. four-way flashers.   Tires have 9/32's of tread on them. and I just took the car out and took it up to 70mph.   Tires are well balanced. Fuel gauge works.   Speedometer and Odometer work.   Spare tire is decent.

What he had done by other professionals that I have records (receipt) of:

Labor – Body and Paint Work:  $2236.  

Repair and Reinstall seat tracks and seat: $600

Performed by Mic's Antiques and Classic Autos. Bristol. PA  19007. September 5. 2002.

He spent quite a bit of money on this vehicle as can be seen from the original photos. he just never thought his son might one day like to have those receipts.   I might find more and will update this listing if that is the case.

The seat tracks were repaired after the new floor panels were put in.   I do not have the records of that. but some of the pictures will attest to what was done on the car.

Vehicle Weaknesses. and they are small. (in MY opinion). compared to the strengths. but I am offering full disclosure.   Again. I want potential bidders to know that they are bidding on and what they will receive.   You need to know what you want. and what you may want to do. or choose to do with this Ghia.

No radio. Both side windows are scratched from the abrasion of normal use in the tracking up and down. see photos. and YES. in the one photo that IS his Model T you see the reflection of.   My dad removed the radio antenna and patched the fender hole. (who knows why he did this. he liked to keep busy). and then tried to do the painting and finishing to match the professional job. but he messed it up. so we have a mostly beautiful paint job with two fenders with weak paint. Not sure what he did to one section of the other fender. but it is not the pristine paint that appears on 90% of the vehicle.  The left front head lamp fender well. or top crown of it. has slightly exposed welding or scratches that are touched up poorly. The driver's door does not have the strap that prevents the door from being "over opened".   Vehicle has new rugs but I think they could perhaps be done better.   I am fine with them. but others may want something one step up. which MAY not even exist.  Seating is not torn. but it is aged. probably original seats. One does have a tear in the side. see photos.    Steering wheel in tack. probably original but not restored.   Dash board is new but it is that plastic laminate. but does have the spot for a radio.   Vehicle does drip a little oil.   Find me a 71 Ghia that does not.   The oil will be changed before the vehicle is delivered to the new owner.   Bumpers are far from perfect. not rusted out junk. but not totally new and straight.   A couple of nice sections. but that is it.

Please check here on eBay for the current listings and for those that have sold. for as high as $14k.   This vehicle is not in that type of condition. but could be with some love and investment. but it also does not have to go there.   It is up to you as the potential buyer.

This is a great car and has a reasonable reserve for the condition.   The hard stuff is done. strong frame. foundation. engine. and transmission.   Owned and loved by a mechanic that took it to shows and won awards with it.   NOT perfect. it is a 1971 vehicle. and for many. what you will get will be great.   For perfectionists. I have tried to be completely honest so you will know what YOU will need to do to make it worth much more than you pay. if you care to;  everyone should be confident in your bidding.   Please look closely at other listings. others that have sold and have not sold. and show this listing to your trusted friends.   Please let my Dad's priced possession find a nice home. Good luck. and please put together the links below for more photos. many more photos.

eBay no longer allows embedded hyperlinks to additional photos.   I think the reason is that people were providing their web sites and then trying to avoid eBay's commission.   This listing will TOTALLY be within eBay's Terms of Service Agreement.   Do not ask me to sell "off-line. "  I will offer some other photos. but you will need to enter the three w's. common to web sites. and the dot before the links I provide. then cut and paste that information to your browser to see many. many photos.   I am also hoping to shoot a video that can be sent to your smart phone by request. but ONLY when we get close to the reserve.   I think you can ask me to contact you on the phone and if you provide your cell phone number to your smart phone that can accept video. I will gladly send it. but not to tire kickers or hundreds of people.   Thank you in advance for that consideration and understanding.

History of the Ghia and some specifications.   Open in a new tab. or you will have to re-enter eBay to come back to this listing.

ask. com/wiki/Volkswagen_Karmann_Ghia

Tons of photos here:  but to make this work. you will need to add the first EIGHT digits from any online banking site's URL. or web address to the beginning of the following and then cut and paste it into your browser.   Again. we will abide by eBay's Terms of Service. but they no longer allow clickable links because of those who try to get around paying eBay.   That is NOT my intent. I just want to show you lots of photos.

picasaweb. google. com/soskerry/GhiaPhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCKawttqvmKGNBQ#

Shipping:  Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. but we will assist as we have in the past to make this easy.   The nearest two cities are Pensacola. Florida. and Mobile. Alabama.   We are located in Orange Beach. AL  36561

I will update this listing regarding shipping with more specifics.

Any questions please feel free to ask.

On May-03-13 at 21:41:10 PDT. seller added the following information:

The photos did not enlarge as they were "supposed" to do. but I have other photos embedded here if you can read how to get them. OR kindly ask me via a message to me and provide your email. and I will send you the link to larger photographs.

On May-03-13 at 21:58:47 PDT. seller added the following information:

The latch that secures the rear window to the convertible top is inconsistent in it ability to work.   Today. I drove about 20 miles and the rear window stayed securely in place.   Other times. it won't latch.   It needs to be unlatched to lower the convertible top.   I do not believe I have a spare in my Dad's collection of parts.   I will look for one and note it here.   If I can't find one. I will secure the window the convertible frame with a plastic tie.

I also have a catalogue or two of parts related to this vehicle and they will be included.

Some of the old parts that are included in the photos are available as well. either free or for a nominal fee.   If I get a reasonable return on this listing. I can include them all. if the buyer so desires. but I can't guarantee their security inside the vehicle.   We may want to ship them seperately. but we are way early on these considerations.

I wanted to update all this information and fix the photographs. but I got an early. quick bid. so I can't make changes to my main listing.

On May-04-13 at 06:52:03 PDT. seller added the following information:

 The mileage I listed is off slightly since I drove it. but it within 250-500 miles of what I stated. BUT the actual odometer reading TODAY is within 25 miles of what is in the photo of the speedometer / odometer.

My Dad paid $70 per year for insurance form J. C. Taylor Insurance in Upper Darby. PA  19082.  

Represented:

$300K liability
$1000 Medical payments each person
$300K uninsured motorists

I believe this required the vehicle to be garage kept. and possibly not driven at night.   It also was with 4 other vehicles. but I see no mention of multi-car discount.   This policy was date 3-30-12 to 3-29-13.   I have renewed it but don't have the new rate in front of me. but it is close.

IF you intend to use this car more extensively and have regular auto tags. you will have to pay more.

Also. I failed to mention that it DOES have front DISC brakes. very unusual in 1971. although it does require a lot of foot pressure to stop this vehicle and it does pull to the left on heavy braking.   Since it sat for many months. the calipers pins could probably use some work. and I would also change the brake fluid if I had the time.   Just good maintenance on a vehicle this old.   It was never driven in the snow. and as you can see has had some undercoating done on the new flooring and undercarriage. but I would also take the time to add undercoating again on the entire undercarriage.   Why not?  Can't hurt and may make the vehicle slightly more quiet since it does sit low to the ground.

Also published at eBay.com

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