Home

I've been busy working away the past month but have still managed to make some progress on the Ghia.

I have now finished painting the floorpans and under seat area, I also reassembled and fitted the fog lights. I have clened up and tested the wiring loom which is now ready for refitting. After previously fitting the fresh air vent assemblies I was also able to get the windscreen motor fitted - after testing it to make sure it worked.

The windscreen motor I have is a 6 volt version, the car itself will be 12 volt when it is finished. Running a 6 volt motor is no problem on a 12 volt system - it simply runs faster - this isn't a problem with the variable speed wipers as the solution is to simply slow them down using the switch.

The physical size of the wire used in a 6 volt system is larger so there is no danger of the wiring burning out. The only real problems I can foresee are the gauges, for this I intend to fit a step down regulator to supply 6 volts to them.

I also sourced some LED bulbs, these are a direct replacement for the standard size bulbs are come in a number of colours, I got these from Dick Smiths Electronics here in Australia. They may even work with 6 Volt systems, if anyone's interested give me a shout and I will try and get a 6 volt PSU and test them for you.

After receiving an order with Lars that I placed for some door scraper trims I was able to also get the passenger door reassembled. it took quite a while to get it all together - that is until I decided to read the workshop manual - the trick is to get the glass in the door FIRST - before the vent window frame. I will reassemble the drivers door next - that is after I have bushed the drivers door hinges - these are still sitting at work as I haven't had a chance to repair these yet.

I also ordered a KMP/h speedo and rear wheel arch repair panels from Lars, the fit on these panels is pretty good, there are some slight differences but this is probably due to the fact that the arches on my car were rebuilt by hand forming repair panels. After the car is finished I will get these put in + get a few other small dings repainted. Sitting around in a workshop for the past few years has paid it's toll on the body.

Apart from maybe trying to get the drives door reassembled before xmas (If I get the hinges done) I really need to get some rubber trim for the door to roof channels to progress any further - once I have this I can get the headlining in and fit the rest of the glass. After this I can get the carpets in place and wait until the seats and door cards are retrimmed.

Mechanically there's still plenty to do. I picked up another IRS rear end which is now sitting in the garage waiting to be modified, The rear engine mounts still need to be fabricated and welded in place, the front spindles still need to be made (I will be making some custom spindles to allow fitting of the Porsche brakes + hubs. These will also be dropped by about 2 inches). After the front brakes are fitted I need to sort out the master cylinder (probably a 944 Turbo unit less the servo). Then there's the gearbox linkage, the hydraulic clutch, the turbo headers, the fuel injection...................

Mnnnn, maybe one day it will get finished.