It's called a Type 3 Karman Ghia. The other more rounded Ghias are Type 1. Type 3 refers to the engine - it's the same flat fan configuration as Notchbacks, Fastbacks and Squarebacks. Type 1 engines (Bugs) have an upright fan.
I dig this one…VW Drag Cars of the 60’s and 70’s were always pretty wild..really cool modern throwback
Oh, yea. Back in the day. Bus transaxle, 2180, dual 44IDF Webbers, turning brakes. Even made it street legal in Virginia. Had to remember to latch the passenger seat belt so the buckle didn't smack you in the face when you launched it.
This is so cool. Back in the mid-'70s, our high school metal shop class students would build these. I was able to build one each year. I have a picture around here somewhere of me in a similar shot, all four wheels off the ground and my long hair flowing behind. (Those who know me know would not believe that I once had long hair...) Thanks for reviving that memory?
My first VW. 65 with fiberglass fenders, 1302 single port, Gen-u-wine American Racing wheels and the first in Sydney Australia to have a Porsche whale tail all back in 1976, cheers
Not mine….but sure wish it was…early 70’s….split window Cal Looker…original magnesium BRM’s…rims would be worth 15K or more today…
The 15k is for the 4 wheels, not the entire car. A set of 4 magnesium BRM's start around 10k for a decent set and go up from there. 12-15k for a really clean set is the going price. They do not come to market very often. The car in the photo is the car built by Marc Buehler was featured in the Feb. 75 edition of Hot VW's , along the the white '63 ragtop owned by Jim Holmes at the time,known today as "the one" The original California Look VW. Marc's '51 is still owned by him and fully restored. I would think if Marc's car came to market today it would be around 6 figures.
Haha... gateway drug indeed. Guilty! First time around was this dune buggy I built when I was still in high school. This is what I started with - a 1960 beetle that had been cannibalized for parts. Today it would probably be a builder, too solid to break apart like we did back then. Learned plenty as the build progressed, turned out okay I think for a first effort. Another VW project was this '61. Stripped it down, added flared rear fenders, rebuilt a single port 1200 with big bore kit, 2-bbl carb and extractor exhaust and repainted it a Ford dark metallic red. Finally added chromed wide-five front wheels, just before I sold it. Fun car. Doubt that it will happen but I think it would be totally cool to have another Beetle someday.
My buddy and I have a saying “We start wanting another VW about the same time we forget why we sold the last one”. Truth.
I fooled with VWs in the 70s and 80s, then went to hot rods and back to VWs in 2021.. The VW crowd doesn't seem that concerned with super high dollar build shops with big name recognition.. Nothing wrong with them, just not affordable to a lot of people.. I'll shut-up now.....
I spent my youth in a ruby red 63’ ragtop my dad bought used the week I was born in 64’. A flatbed truck backed over and squashed it in 74’. I had a 70’ for a short time in early 80’s, but it was a rat. I’m looking for a 62’/63’ ragtop to build into a “day two” version of my dad’s car. Your coral car is the look I’m going for - stock appearing but stance / wheels / tires / horsepower. In that vein (sorry for a temporary derail) can you run down how much it’s lowered, suspension mods, tire sizes on each end. Love the stance. Cool, without the cartoon look. Thanks!
Little did the world know the kid headed off to high school in his dad’s hand-me-down Hot Rod Beetle would grow up to be one of the premier car builders of his generation.
Just got this from the Coral VW’s owner…and remember this is a drag and drive event…pretty impressive for 4 Cylinders
The Jalopy Journal
