Frenchy's Ghia

[louisb]

Hey Frenchy, now that your hanging out on the lounge, tell us about your ghia. How you got it, what you did to it, what shows it won etc, your favorite memories of the car, and your current search to find it. Was it ever in a magazine feature? Maybe our resident historian Speedwell can find a copy of it and post some pics.

Thanks,

--louis

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

Frenchy is Building Replica of his old car the first one was a 67 the new one is a 66  Buddy Hale is Painting it.

[Frank LUX]

Frenchy is Building Replica of his old car the first one was a 67 the new one is a 66  Buddy Hale is Painting it.

 

Shubee, why don't you let Frenchy Dehoux tell us HIS Story about HIS Ghia...

Thank You!!!

Frank

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

Frenchy is Building Replica of his old car the first one was a 67 the new one is a 66  Buddy Hale is Painting it.

 

Shubee, why don't you let Frenchy Dehoux tell us HIS Story about HIS Ghia...

Thank You!!!

Frank

LOL Frank Want More Details 

[Frenchy Dehoux]

    Thanks Louis!!!!!


     I will have to start remembering. Buddy Hale has enough work to last him another year or more. I am planning to have Bob Lillegard who is responsible to have done the first one. I have talk to Bob a month ago or so when I was in Calif on vacation. Bob has his shop off of Orange street and the 405 Fwy in north Long Beach ( Alvin body shop ). Bob told me when I am ready to let him know and we will work out a deal. His original painter will be doing the job. I will get back to this post later and start on this story.

Thanks
Frenchy Dehoux ( Doc Detail )

[Lee.C]

Ohhhh this is going to be interesting - Welcome to the lounge Frenchy 

[speedwell]

Maybe our resident historian Speedwell can find a copy of it and post some pics.

Thanks,

--louis

louis here's what you want it's on frenchy web site  : http://frenchysrides.com/magazinearticles.html  sorry  but work is already made thus
rgd
fabs

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

    Thanks Louis!!!!!


     I will have to start remembering. Buddy Hale has enough work to last him another year or more. I am planning to have Bob Lillegard who is responsible to have done the first one. I have talk to Bob a month ago or so when I was in Calif on vacation. Bob has his shop off of Orange street and the 405 Fwy in north Long Beach ( Alvin body shop ). Bob told me when I am ready to let him know and we will work out a deal. His original painter will be doing the job. I will get back to this post later and start on this story.

Thanks
Frenchy Dehoux ( Doc Detail )

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!
Something you might not Know Back when I was in DVB with Frenchy in 1975 Frenchy and Friend Bob Lillegard Cast The First One Piece Empi 8 Spoke Repop they were called Lillegards these are the only repop  8 Spoke that have the same offset as the Originals the centers remained like the American Eagle Version counter sunk lugs and push in caps the spokes were skinner like the Originals you dont see many anymore

[louisb]

That is pretty cool.

--louis

[speedwell]

one of my favourite ghia 

[louisb]

That is a good pic too.

--louis

[Frenchy Dehoux]

    As Shubee mentioned on the Lillegard 8 spoke wheels . I had talk with Bob soon after EMPI had closed their doors that it would be cool if you could reproduced these 8 spoke EMPI and later the BRM. So Bob told me he would get back to me and see if he was interested to do them. I received a phone call one day and Bob wanted me to let him use one of my EMPI wheel that I had on the ghia and he needed to have it for a few weeks or so. I had taken the wheel off and had the tire removed. Bob took the wheel to a friend of his which owned a foundry and to see if a mold could be made. A few weeks went by and Bob called me one day to let me know that he was having a mold made for the EMPI 8 spoke  I was so surprised. A week later Bob called me back to come by and see the mold. Bob than asked me if I would be interested to work for him to get this started. I worked for Bob for a year or so and I had Geno Combs work as well making sure everything look ok. I was in charged to see the wheels out of the mold and decide which one would be painted gold / black or leave them in their natural look. I than took them to our local polishing shop and after packaged them to be shipped at the Auto Haus warehouse in Buena Park Calif. Soon after we started making 8 spoke wheels for the 924 Porsche looking like a mini Porsche alloy. I have the very first wheel made here in my museum at home. Bob also gave me the first set of EMPI wheels made for helping him started. I also sold the second set of EMPI wheels to Bill Duncan who was working for Bill Taylor at TAYCO. Some of the stories you would like to hear about the old days can be read on my web site as mentioned earlier.

 Thanks
 Frenchy     Doc Detail

[speedwell]

thanks for sharing them with us , frenchy 
rgd
fabian

[Frank LUX]

    As Shubee mentioned on the Lillegard 8 spoke wheels . I had talk with Bob soon after EMPI had closed their doors that it would be cool if you could reproduced these 8 spoke EMPI and later the BRM. So Bob told me he would get back to me and see if he was interested to do them. I received a phone call one day and Bob wanted me to let him use one of my EMPI wheel that I had on the ghia and he needed to have it for a few weeks or so. I had taken the wheel off and had the tire removed. Bob took the wheel to a friend of his which owned a foundry and to see if a mold could be made. A few weeks went by and Bob called me one day to let me know that he was having a mold made for the EMPI 8 spoke  I was so surprised. A week later Bob called me back to come by and see the mold. Bob than asked me if I would be interested to work for him to get this started. I worked for Bob for a year or so and I had Geno Combs work as well making sure everything look ok. I was in charged to see the wheels out of the mold and decide which one would be painted gold / black or leave them in their natural look. I than took them to our local polishing shop and after packaged them to be shipped at the Auto Haus warehouse in Buena Park Calif. Soon after we started making 8 spoke wheels for the 924 Porsche looking like a mini Porsche alloy. I have the very first wheel made here in my museum at home. Bob also gave me the first set of EMPI wheels made for helping him started. I also sold the second set of EMPI wheels to Bill Duncan who was working for Bill Taylor at TAYCO. Some of the stories you would like to hear about the old days can be read on my web site as mentioned earlier.

 Thanks
 Frenchy     Doc Detail

Frenchy,

Keep those story coming...they are much appreciated over here!!!

Thanxs,

Frank

[louisb]

Aye, some cool stuff there.

--louis

[Eddie DVK]

Man, I not realy in to ghia s.
But when I saw this one in Feb 1995 issue of hot vw 's I thought
this was the best looking ghia I had ever seen..
This one was done perfectly....

cool that you rebuilding a new version of it. keep us posted...

[speedwell]

frenchy do you made your seat in the new ghia with the same herculeon plaid 

[Zach Gomulka]

frenchy do you made your seat in the new ghia with the same herculeon plaid 

That would be too cool if he did!!

[Frenchy Dehoux]

   My goal is to duplicate this  ghia  to be the same as the old one. I know it will be a challenge for me but I am willing to go all the way with this one. The only difference is that this one is a 1966 because of the smog laws here in Arizona . The engine , transmission, front beam ,and my Porsche alloys are all done polished and all they need is for me to paint them.

   Thanks
   Frenchy Doctor Detail

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

Can't wait to see it done Frenchy. That car was a big influence to me growing up. I remember seeing it outside at the Indoor swap meet that Al Martinez used to sponser at Costa Mesa Fairgrounds back in the '80's. It was by far one of the cleanset rides present along with Mike Martinez chop top and Porsche 914-6. That would be cool to shoot at Knotts Berry farm like before.
Steve Niendorf.

[Brian Silva]

Hi Frenchy, long time no see! Glad to see this project rolling! I can't wait to see it. Hows the hot rod with the jag powertrain coming?

[empicolector]

welcome to the lounge frenchy

[JOHN CANALES]

FRENCHY'S THE MAN...

[Frenchy Dehoux]

   Everytime I see this picture I get embarrased.

    Thanks
    Frenchy

[speedwell]

frenchy that was the disco year 
rgd
fabs 

[Lee.C]

   Everytime I see this picture I get embarrased.

    Thanks
    Frenchy

WHY Thats the COOLEST outfit I have EVER seen 

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

   Everytime I see this picture I get embarrased.

    Thanks
    Frenchy

WHY Thats the COOLEST outfit I have EVER seen 

LMAO Lee that look is coming to Europe Next Year  Cant Wait to See Russell with that Hair Do and Bell Bottoms and maybe even a Handle Bar Mustach LMFAO

[Frenchy Dehoux]

    This was the Tom Jones look + Cal Look = Kool Look .

     Frenchy

[Zach Gomulka]

Hi Frenchy, long time no see! Glad to see this project rolling! I can't wait to see it. Hows the hot rod with the jag powertrain coming?

Its a hot rod Lincoln. But I wont tell on you

[Rick Meredith]

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!
Something you might not Know Back when I was in DVB with Frenchy in 1975 Frenchy and Friend Bob Lillegard Cast The First One Piece Empi 8 Spoke Repop they were called Lillegards these are the only repop  8 Spoke that have the same offset as the Originals the centers remained like the American Eagle Version counter sunk lugs and push in caps the spokes were skinner like the Originals you dont see many anymore

I have a set of the first run Lillegard 8 spokes. What sets them apart from later runs is that the valve stem comes out of rim instead of in between to spokes. They were a pain to clean around.

The pictures of my '67 that have been posted everywhere are with those rims on it.