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Author Topic: Coming home again…  (Read 55331 times)
Fastbrit
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Keep smiling...
« on: September 24, 2008, 17:05:58 pm »
Well, we all like stories with happy endings, so listen to this.

Back in 1982, Doug Mische had his Ghia stolen. It was, as far as Doug knew, stripped and burned. And that's the way the story ends in the chapter on Doug's Ghia in my new book.
BUT things have taken a different turn since then, for Doug has discovered his car wasn't burned out after all, but sold on and then put back on the street with a different motor, interior, wheels and license plate.

To cut a long story short – a story which you'll be able to read in full in the November issue of Ultra VW (thanks Doug!) – Doug was approached by the current owner and.... He now has the car back!
Here's just one photo to whet your appetite. You'll have to wait for the rest, OK! Grin
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Mike Lawless
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« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2008, 17:10:19 pm »
Looks to have been fairly well cared for during its 26 years absence.
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Rennsurfer
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« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2008, 17:21:45 pm »
COOL! Best thing I've heard in a long time. Glad that Doug got his car back... congrats, Doug! Dig the real late model Riviera wheels, too. Haven't seen those in years. The real ones, that is. Be great to find the correct center caps for those.

Great story, Keith... looking forward to reading about all of the details.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2008, 04:56:09 am by DKK_Fred » Logged
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Zach Gomulka
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Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2008, 17:50:24 pm »
VERY COOL! We were talking with Doug about this at his house over the Classic weekend, I'm glad he found the car, and that it looks like it is in fairly good condition!

http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,2121.0.html

We need to get Doug back on here! I wonder how it will go back together??? With the Rivieras? Or the Fuchs? Or something completely different??

Congrats Doug!!
« Last Edit: September 24, 2008, 18:13:43 pm by Zach Gomulka » Logged
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Rune
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« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2008, 18:12:41 pm »
Wow, that's really cool  Smiley
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speedwell
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« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2008, 18:19:21 pm »
cool the return of  the "FASTER THEN YOU"
souvenirs  Wink
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speedwell
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« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2008, 18:20:45 pm »
 Wink
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speedwell
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« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2008, 18:22:12 pm »
 Wink
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louisb
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« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2008, 18:26:43 pm »
Way cool man.

--louis
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Diederick/DVK
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« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2008, 18:47:06 pm »
very, very cool find!!
« Last Edit: September 24, 2008, 19:57:01 pm by 67-indeed/DVK » Logged
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yvre
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« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2008, 19:51:56 pm »
That's fantastic!!!
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Zach Gomulka
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« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2008, 20:20:20 pm »
That couldn't be the same Oriole Yellow paint.... could it???
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dougmische
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« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2008, 20:40:49 pm »
Thanks all...

It's been home for a week, and I still can't believe it.  I keep going in the garage to look at it, expecting it to be gone again.  I get so emotional I kiss the car, even the dirty places.  ;-)

It will be restored as closely as possible to the way it was the day it left, with lots of old school, period-correct pieces.  Already have an Okrasa 84mm crank with Carillo rods in the works, and I've already got the correct Formuling France steering wheel.

Now if I could just find the license plate...
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Casey
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« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2008, 20:45:14 pm »
Are you going to repaint or rub on the old stuff? Undecided
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dougmische
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« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2008, 20:50:38 pm »
It'll need a full repaint.  Though it looks very straight in pics, it's not quite good enough to rub out and drive.  There are lots of little things that need to be fixed.  Creases, ripples, dings, kinks, etc.  And a couple of rust areas that should get fixed as soon as possible.  But it's incredibly straight overall.

According to Darin, the guy that did the body work on the Wocket, the Ghia was repainted some time ago, and it's not a great job.

Quote from: Casey on September 24, 2008, 20:45:14 pm
Are you going to repaint or rub on the old stuff? Undecided
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Zach Gomulka
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Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2008, 20:55:20 pm »
If I'm not mistaken, the plate should still be issued to your name, and you could have a new one made up. It wouldn't be the original, but it's better than nothing, I suppose. Or you could go here... http://www.licenseplates.tv/prod/1969_california_stat_1569.html#lpgen
I don't think it's legal though!! Roll Eyes
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dougmische
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« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2008, 20:59:31 pm »
The plate stayed with the car, after I signed the pink slip over to the towing yard, and one of the owners that had it after me kept it.  It's no longer mine.

I'll see if I can find who owns it and offer to buy it back.  It would be really great to have the original blue and gold plate.

Quote from: Zach Gomulka on September 24, 2008, 20:55:20 pm
If I'm not mistaken, the plate should still be issued to your name, and you could have a new one made up. It wouldn't be the original, but it's better than nothing, I suppose. Or you could go here... http://www.licenseplates.tv/prod/1969_california_stat_1569.html#lpgen
I don't think it's legal though!! Roll Eyes
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speedwell
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« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2008, 21:05:05 pm »
Doug  ,how are you sure  that it is indeed your kg you had made something special above?? A mark Huh
 i'm happy for you ,  because he's  in my top 5 cal look kg
rgd
fabs
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dougmische
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« Reply #18 on: September 24, 2008, 21:14:47 pm »
Really? Thanks!

There are many things that I did to the car that are on this car.  A hole in the dash, a guide tube for the decklid release, the Porsche door lock knobs, the nose emblem and the DKP I hood badge are all still on the car.  There are many things that are unique to this car, and the more I look, the more I find.

Quote from: speedwell on September 24, 2008, 21:05:05 pm
Doug  ,how are you sure  that it is indeed your kg you had made something special above?? A mark Huh
 i'm happy for you ,  because he's  in my top 5 cal look kg
rgd
fabs
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louisb
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« Reply #19 on: September 24, 2008, 21:17:15 pm »
Quote from: dougmische on September 24, 2008, 21:14:47 pm
the DKP I hood badge are all still on the car. 

Wow, that is cool.

--louis
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Tony M
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« Reply #20 on: September 24, 2008, 21:30:32 pm »
Glad your cars back - had the same thing happen with my first vw - stole it in LV - some dirt bikers found it in a large bush - only took 6 months - not years - I know the feeling of going into the garage and kissing the car - this is the restart - Very happy again.
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Fastbrit
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Keep smiling...
« Reply #21 on: September 24, 2008, 21:33:28 pm »
Quote from: speedwell on September 24, 2008, 21:05:05 pm
Doug  ,how are you sure  that it is indeed your kg you had made something special above?? A mark Huh
 i'm happy for you ,  because he's  in my top 5 cal look kg
rgd
fabs
The roach clip under the seat was a giveaway, as was the bong in the trunk...  Grin
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vwcab
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« Reply #22 on: September 24, 2008, 21:46:25 pm »
I'm glad you have it back,and bring it back to glory! Smiley Wink
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« Reply #23 on: September 24, 2008, 21:51:57 pm »
Hi Doug,
How were you first informed it was found ?
 Huh
Richard
P.S. I'm glad it found it's way back to you !
Can't believe the DKP hood badge is still there !
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SlingShot
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« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2008, 00:26:16 am »
Very Cool Doug, I'm glad you got the car back. Had to be pretty crazy seeing it with your own eyes after all these years.

Do me a favor and throw those bumpers on your pool table and I will pick them up "Classic" weekend.   Wink

Can you post a few more pics of the car how it sits now?

Talk to you later,
Chris Predmore
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Lee.C
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« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2008, 02:37:19 am »
COOOOOOOOL glad to hear its back with you dude - its always been in my top 10  Smiley I can't believe the badge was still on there  Shocked and even the roach clip was under the seat  Cheesy Wink Smiley
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deano
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« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2008, 03:17:14 am »
Amazing...... Simply amazing. Will you look at Doug's hair in those photos! Just kidding. Just goes to show that these cars are still out there to be discovered, and re-discovered. This story made my day. Maybe this car will bring back earth tones....
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DKK
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« Reply #27 on: September 25, 2008, 05:18:34 am »
Quote from: deano on September 25, 2008, 03:17:14 am
Amazing...... Simply amazing. Will you look at Doug's hair in those photos! Just kidding. Just goes to show that these cars are still out there to be discovered, and re-discovered. This story made my day. Maybe this car will bring back earth tones....
Maybe earth shoes too... Glad to see it back Doug, it's not often we get a bit of our youth back. I am sure it will be stunning when it is completed.   Bill
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« Reply #28 on: September 25, 2008, 06:59:55 am »
fascinating story story ...
cant wait to read the full write-up on it .

doug , are you going to use her strait away and sort out later ??
or is she safely locked away until "complete" again ??
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roland
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« Reply #29 on: September 25, 2008, 07:47:28 am »
That's a cool story!
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