Somehow I managed to buy a 1974 Karmann Ghia

[Gore1FL]

It's on a truck, headed my way.

[flamin lib]

1. Sweet!

Not many of those around anymore. Beautiful body work and a real DIY honey. Made a lot of money working on V-Dubs back in the '70s.

Hope the floorpan is in good shape.

[Gore1FL]

2. Me too!

It's largely restored, already including a new carpet kit. I would hope that it wasn't installed over rot. Based on what I have seen, not everything is as oem as I'd have liked, but it looks like it was done with care.

I wanted something 12-volt, so that limited me to post-67. I kind of wanted a pre-1970, for the bumpers and lights, but This one was a great price considering how much had already been done. 1974's are the second lowest production year. I figure if nothing else, it should generally retain its value.

The whole project-car practice is all new to me. I like to learn. As far as mid-life crises go, this is fairly cheap and innocuous!

[flamin lib]

3. For me it was a 78 280z.

We owned it from 79 and put 300,000 Miles on Lady Blue until she was so tired she couldn't go any more. Put her on jack stands and replaced every strut, bushing, break part and every other replaceable part. Lowered her 2 inches just 'cause I could. New upholstery, new dash cover, new paint. Put her in a sweeping curve and feed throttle in until the tires moaned and she drifted absolutely flat into the other lane.

Took her home and a day later a delivery truck T-Boned her in my driveway.

The insurance guy showed up and began talking about salvage value . . . I took his arm and dragged him around to the front bumper, pointed to the custom license plate than read "LADY BLU" and said,"You don't understand, this isn't a car, its a beloved family pet."

From that point on it was,"Yes sir mister Lib. Can we do anything else for you today?"

Sadly after awhile neither my wife nor I could get into or out of her so we sold her to someone who loves her as much as we do and uses her as an everyday driver. We get the occasional email telling us how much they still enjoy driving her and what new stuff they have done for her.

Gotta love being a gearhead . . .

[Mopar151]

4. Nice!

Huge enthusiast community & aftermarket for air-cooled VW's, search for "bug-ins" to get tribal gathering info.

[HooptieWagon]

5. Cool!

Enjoy, much fun tinkering and driving.

[Gore1FL]

6. It seems like getting it registered is going to be a painful path.

I have everything I need but the inspection. Apparently there is a problem with the exhaust, but no one has given me specifics.

It's running great, thanks to a neighbor who is showing me the ropes the Chilton's manual and the various parts I've invested in.

I would have liked to have had it licensed today, but it was not to be. I am guessing tomorrow won't happen either.

[Gore1FL]

7. I will owe the state an additional $50, it appears. I'm almost there.

Apparently the "compatible" headers I bought don't integrate with the old VW heating. I actually thought I was ordering a stock muffler when I got the headers, but obviosuly misread or mis-clicked something. My goal is to return it to a reasonable state of OEM.

It should pass inspection, but I need to buy a stock muffler and install that instead. It's not a cheap mistake, but it could have been worse.

Fortunately, I have a friend who works magic.