Hi all, Mrs. preach here. 
Her maiden voyage up north went very well, in fact the more I drive it the better it seems to be running/feel/starting. The only real compliant I had was I thought the gas gauge was broken, but it works, it just jiggles like a teenager twerking, which I am informed is normal so another quirky VW thing with gauges not working right. 
I want to give it a good look over and do some basic maintenance like adjusting the valves, oil change, spark plugs, etc. just because. I don't know exactly the last time it was all done and it would be silly to take a chance hoping it was done recently. It also may have a wheel bearing going, every once in a while I can hear a squeaking sound when I turn, but I haven't identified where yet. Things to do!
So far I'm very happy with my purchase and pretty much in love with my new whip!
In reply to StilettoSS :
She's the enabler fellas. She has sisters but they are crazy.
She has her dream car now so I have an open check book.
To clarify mr. preach's post, my mother is 2 hours away usually, but taking back roads it was 2.5 hours, which I think was pretty good for a 55 year old car! Top speed was 60 and it wasn't too scary, which was a nice surprise even on the terribly paved back roads of Maine.
In reply to Stampie :
You only live once, drive your dream car! :)
This thread has me even more excited to get my Super Beetle finished.
Congrats on the new car its looks awesome!
And to think the usual entry into aircooled VWs is taking a Briggs & Stratton engine apart. Pass Go, collect $200 and go right to the top!
Nice Ghia BTW.
ChrisTropea said:
This thread has me even more excited to get my Super Beetle finished.
Congrats on the new car its looks awesome!
That's great! I hope you enjoy your Super Beetle as much as I am enjoying my Ghia!
ChrisTropea said:
This thread has me even more excited to get my Super Beetle finished.
Congrats on the new car its looks awesome!
It's getting me stoked to work on my 914.
Two 50yo air-cooled Karmann cars in the front of the house would be amazing.
Disclaimer: The 914 will not, ever, be as nice as the KG. Too far gone, but save-able for a driving Outlaw.
Bonus is the history of the Karmann Ghia and the Porsche 914/4.
Mrs. preach here again.
Had the Ghia inspected today and got a chance to look at it on the lift. Very minor surface rust where some undercoating has peeled off/degraded in one small area but otherwise rust is not a problem. The passenger side heat exchanger is a little rough, but not that bad either. It did have a few minor leaks: oil under engine, maybe main seal, not sure yet, but still not bad (yet, and I will address it asap). Steering box is also leaking a little. There is also a second fuel filter under the car that the previous owner added I believe, and it might be leaking. It looked wet, but nothing when touched. I will replace it just to be safe, especially since my husband thinks he smells gas faintly.
Still very happy with my purchase!
It's berkeleying awesome and a steal at the price we paid.
I usually do pretty well cost-wise when I buy cars, but she kicked me in the fellas so hard I have three adam apples right now with this purchase.
In reply to StilettoSS and preach:
This page is seriously lacking in pictures. Just saying.
Haha Stampie, I can oblige a bit at least. It's been raining here pretty constantly so it's hard to get good pics in the shade.
In reply to Stampie :
She has yet to take the opportunity to do a detailed photo shoot of the car. We both berkeleyed up when it was on the lift as we were too busy looking at the awesome underside
Wednesday we got it on a lift and found rust discoloration underneath, a leaky steering box, main rear seal or forward trans seal leaks, but everything else was mint. The only other issue I saw has been painted over rust bubbles on the deck lid, those really need to be addressed as deck lids are pretty unobtainium.
Those wheels need dressed up!
trim rings
NMNA, I hope these are not junk.
And make sure to buy the special tool to remove the hubcap with these as well.
In reply to StilettoSS :
I know ya'll looked but how was the nose? Also thank you for the pictures.
That's a beauty. Your wife has good judgement. I love it as it sits, but I think it might look a little better with the chrome hubcaps, if the wheels were painted body color. Maybe just the centers. I think that is a very nice look with lighter body colors like the white.
The nose is in really good shape, looks like it's never been hit and no rust. A paint measurement gauge is a thing! The ridge that runs up the nose and front hood is straight and clean, so a good sign too. I will take more pics at the local car show tomorrow, I'm going to show her for the first time!
Matt, I'm a big fan of the body color matching outer ring on the rims too with the chrome hubcap in the center. We were lucky enough to get about 1/2 a gallon of the paint, which may be still usable or at least gives me the paint code. Next time the rims are off the car I might find time to do it!
In reply to Noddaz :
I have a set of 914 chrome trim rings that would fit and I have a set of pre-1973 Pedrini alloys she could use.
She seems happy with the moons.
It always rains right when or immediately after I am detailing a car. At least the water beads nicely and looks pretty cool.
More pics from today's local car show. Good time and got to talk to a lot of people about their wheeled babies :)
Thought of you when I saw this article in an old mag
Thanks Slippery! Fun read! I wonder whatever happened to the magic oil they talk about in the article, 40,000 miles between tune ups would be mint if it were true lol
Got some more pics of the Ghia below. Tried to get some interior shots, but the light wasn't great.
On another note, Mr. preach has some Pedrini's for me if I want them but they need some restoration. They appear to be fine other than rough on the surface. Should I put them on the car? Below is a pic of the Pedrini's and the ones I have now. The ones I have on with the small moon are in good shape, but it woudn't be too bad to restore the others...choices!
