Work planned for November

During November I hope to be able to complete the restoration of the light and wiper switch unit. So far it has received new button covers, purchased from ISP West, and a number of wires have been replaced. Unfortunately the resistor on the back of the unit has broken off and I will be looking to solder it back on, failing which I will be sourcing a new one from a great site provided by Mike Dempster (or breaking into his garage where I understand from Charlie that he has a NOS one stashed away!)

I will also be looking to make more progress on replacing the door sill aluminium trims. These have suffered from wear over the years and I will be following Paul Colbert's article on the Type34.org website to create some new ones, I aim to do this with a bit of help from the metal folding machine at the engineering workshop a couple of doors round the corner from where I live.

I have also been speaking to John who did the bodywork on the car. we are hopeful that by December it will be back in the work shop for the final pieces, such as fitting the headlight bowls, to be completed. In anticipation of this I have a couple of paint guys coming round to quote on the paint - all donations gratefully accepted!

Water Transfers

The 1962 & 63 model Type 34 Karmann Ghias had a number of transfers on them giving instructions on switch locations, tyre pressures, opening and closing the rear boot lid (all on the glove box lid) and also on the need to keep the rear air intake clear of obstruction (located in the air intake channel).

Whilst some stickers had been reproduced there were no completely authentic water transfers in the exact script and colour or in German.

These have now been reproduced by Scott Taylor (contact him through Type34.org via the website if you need these). They are absolutely fantastic and a great aid to authentic restoration. Scott has also reproduced transfers for the early Knecht style single carb air cleaners and is looking to expand the range to the Mann style air cleaners and later twin carb ones, photos of any good remaining examples should be forwarded to him.

Interestingly my early car doesn't carry these transfers either in the glove box or in the rear air intake tray. I'm not clear if they only came on after the first couple of months production or if my car missed out on them. It will be receiving a set once the paintwork is complete.

Work completed in October

Well the brake master cylinder was swapped with no problems and I then pressed on with restoring the indicator housing and arm. Both were stripped of all electrics and bead blasted. The stripped units were then given several coats of paint before re-assembly, including a rebuild of the internal bearing.

Progress update and parts still needed

Restoration of the car is still going well. I have nearly finished the restoration of the indicator housing and arm. I had it blasted and have now re-sprayed it, just need to rewire it over the next few days. I have also fitted the new brake mastercylinder and with that all mechanical work is now complete.



I still need a couple of parts for the car, these are the correct wheel rim embellishers, as in this photo of Johannes Krasenbrinks car. According to the parts book early ones have a type 2 part number (241601155A) and later ones a type 3 part number (341601155A) they look the same as on the type 1 Ghia like these fitted to Johannes car. Let me know if you have any - NOS preferred.

Also needed is one NOS early pointed style rear drivers side overrider (for LHD car), I have reasonable condition used ones but would like an NOS one.

KM speedo restoration

The original speedo that came with the car was in a bad state. I have striped it, greased, zeroed and repainted all parts. It was worth saving as it is slightly different from some of the other early speedos I have seen so far.

The paint for the Nov 61 needle (instrument on the left) is acrylic paint by Deco Art and is called Pure Pumkin. You can see from the photo of the July 62 speedo (on the right)that it is a very close match.