rockets 56 ghia

[Rocket Ron]

Heres some photos of the may 56 ghia I collected on friday. I've dropped the body off at Defcon 3 AKA alex Taylor who is doing the repairs to the body, you may have seen his black 67 old school bug volksworld feb 07.

The body is realy soild for a 56 but it needs repairs at the bottom of the rear wings both sides, a 10" part of the drivers sill , outside only and a small 2" by 1" hole in the front inner wheel well. everthing else is rock solid

Its had a bump around the drivers headlight at some point which needs sorting out by a panel beater but i am thinking of painting it black at this point so i want to get it arrow straight

I've been sorting through the boxes of bits and it looks like most of the parts are there but missing small light above rear mirror and outside sill trim are missing.

Interesting thing is that its got steel door hinges as I thought all ghias had aluminium hinges. They have some wear on them but i've arranged for them to have bronze washers put in them to take out the play and let them ride nicely when you open the door. Its got the early ghia features like heater controls on the ends of the dash etc so she's worth saving.

Here's some photos to be getting on with. I'l post some more as the work goes on











plans include porsche alloys and big motor but with stock trim outside and slight twist on the retrim.

Hoping to get to EBI 2 with her   

[perthpanel]

That should keep you busy/quiet  for the winter 

[Black Sheep]

Is that why you weren't at the show on Sunday ?  Bet I could get those 6's under the back  got a spare pair of A arms to narrow here 
Still its looking good Ron looks like the Mrs isn't gonna see you much this winter 

[louisb]

Cool project. Keep us posted with your progress.

--louis

[alfie the monster]

Look forward to having a look later today when I see Uncle Al 

[Endre]

Looks like a great project. Keep us updated.

[Rocket Ron]

Popped in to see if there were hidden surprises at the body shop today.

 The 2” x 1” hole in the front wheel well been done as has the work on rear passengers bottom rear fender.

The small hole in the battery tray is now repaired and I’ve had the battery mounting clips removed, as the battery will be going under the rear seat and a few screw holes in the engine bay have now been filled.

We’ve found a few pinholes in the top edge of the passengers rear fender that we weren’t expecting but it’s a very small repair and not to bad.

The front of the rear passenger’s fender needs a bit more work than expected. We were expecting to do the outside and thats been replaced now but we’ve had to repair to the inner sill and the inner part of the fender around the torsion bar inspection hole where the blanking plug sits.

We will also be cutting out a 1” x 6” piece of the passengers sill as it was getting very thin although this was alright, it would need doing in the future if it was left.

I’ve located a nos rear drivers fender at a good price, which will cut down on labour in the long run. The panel on the car is solid but needed some panel beating and a couple of small repairs to get it where it should be without using filler. The new panel should get it right and be cheaper in the long run.

I’m fairly happy with the car, as I was worried it was going to throw up some nasty surprises but we’re more that 50 % through the repairs in a couple of days with nothing to hideous

I’ll get some pictures posted at the weekend.

Ps Also received my European spec lowlight rear lights arrived today, very nice. 

[Rocket Ron]

Been a while since I updated so I'll post a couple of photos to keep you all going

 
new door skin needed and on its way but matching number door frames are fine

repair to front arch but the door gap will need some work once the new door skins on

small repair to rear arch approx 2 1/2 by 1" by 4 1/2" long 

new inner and outer panel around inspection hole

small repair around front arch and a small dent that will need doing at the corner of the door

NOS rear quater on its way to replace this

Also need a new nose panel and two outer sills as the sill have some pinholes in them and as its a keeper the sills need doing

Till next time 

[Harry/FDK]

Hey Ron, the IRS set up looks good too. Is that temporary ?

[Rocket Ron]

no it will be staying as I want to drive it as much as possible and should suit daily driving better.

The pan was done when i bought the car with full gloss paint job

[Grelland]

Will you have space issues with the fuchs and the IRS? What size wheels will you use?

I had originally planned a set of 6x15 fuchs, and they just barely cleared the fender with 185/67 tyres, but now I will be using real EMPI 8 spokes, and they have some 9mm wider offset, and I decided to shorten the IRS arms to add some air.

nice project, btw :-)

[Rocket Ron]

going to try some 51/2s on the back I'll let you know how I get on

[alfie the monster]

Saw it last weekend Ron, looking good! Uncle Al's ploughing through it 

[Rocket Ron]

New nose and inner sill

[Rocket Ron]

Saw it last weekend Ron, looking good! Uncle Al's ploughing through it 

popped in today. Its starting to get there, new door skin on also and rear fender on its way

[Rocket Ron]

sills now on and the drivers door is back on with its new skin and gapped. Photos to follow after xmas 

[Rocket Ron]

picture of the floor pan. Not too bad a finish

[Harry/FDK]

Looking Good Ron ! (PS. Nice Clean Shop).

[empicolector]

nice

[Glauco]

nice work!

[Rocket Ron]

Dropped off the NOS rear  fender at the body shop today and have located a drives headlight clip to effect some repairs to the front frender. that should be just about it for repairs

I am in need of a better front hood / bonnet before I can get the paint started and we are going to trim the frear fender lips inside to give a much room as possible for rubber in the back.  Think I'm going for fuch wheels  4 1/2 on the front and 5 1/2 on the back.   

Anyone know how much rubber you can get under the rear with an early body and irs rear end ?

[danny gabbard]

who's maken door skin', are they nice quality

[Rocket Ron]

door skin came from VW Heritage in the uk they are for later ghia but easy to alter for lowlights and good quality

[roland]

Anyone know how much rubber you can get under the rear with an early body and irs rear end ?

I don't really know but have you thought about modifying the rear arms just like zach did on his gtv?

[Rocket Ron]

would like to keep it factory if possible but I'll have a look at his thread

Cheers ron

[Rocket Ron]

Well been a little while since I posted a report but the short front wing I sourced from the states has been blasted and is now going on, the badge plinth is being welded to the new nose and I’ve had some extra work done to the passengers side wing to cut down on the amount of filler needed when it finally goes to paint.

I am now on the hunt for the missing trim parts that are not available as reproduction or NOS so if you have anything that my help please pm me

The car is going to be black but I haven’t decided on the colour for the interior its either going to be red or dark tan. Still that’s a long way off some I’ve plenty of time to sort that out .

Hope to post some pictures next time as I forgot my camera on my most recent visit to the body shop.

Also trying to sort out a car from the states with lots of nice bits, new engine and gearbox, turbo etc at a very good price to act as a donor for the Ghia. I let you know how that turns out

Ron   

[alfie the monster]

Red 

[Mario/DKT]

Hi Ron
maybe i can help to collect some parts. Please let me know what are you need...
Need your Adress for shipping! Please send pm!

Mario/DKT

[pbaptist]

Hallo Ron,

Nice car.

Good luck with the restauration.

Have you allready seen the new kg lowlight register at: www.kglowlightregistry.com
I hope you see your car added there as well.

regards

Patrick

[Rocket Ron]

thanks mate I'll try and get the details uploaded soon. Think its may/ june 56 with a 5*** body number

Ron