Ghia/Porsche

[ScrappyJ]

Thanks Bruce, Joe and Richard!

[ScrappyJ]

Thanks Bruce, Joe and Richard!

I slung a little more mud last-night on the bumpers, trunk and certain areas of the body. For me, this is a long, tedious process getting as many of the pin-holes and imperfections as possible. My shortcoming is that I'll eventually become tired of it and just go with a less than par body

[Davewilly]

looking very cool!

[FASTBACK340]

……………… ……………………………………..

BEAUTIFUL! You are striking nostalgic nerve with me that feels soooooo good. This has to be one of THE slickest VW's I've ever seen. And between the real 1:1's and models, that's a lot.

Colors chosen for the body & interior? How are the wheels being finished? I have an idea what would look absolutely killer, but i'd like to hear your plans.

[crazyrichard]

whouw

[pharr7226]

Awesome work as always Dirk.

[Zarana-X]

This is turning out crazy good. I've seen a few mid-engine Porsche VWs in real life. Your scratch built frame is amazing.

[DrKerry]

Thanks, Lee!

A pic with the wheels on. I think I need to re-work the rear wheel openings because they don't look centered to me:

It's amazing how much junk you start noticing once you start putting primer in there. Not to mention the primer gassed-out and I have a ton-load of finessing to do on smoothing it out.

Lookin at the pic, I know some have said take a bit of the rear of the opening. I think it may look better to add a bit to the front of the opening. You don't want the wheel well to look to enlarged..... Just my two cents...

[MicroNitro]

This is turning out great. Your soldering work is exceptional. When I was a kid a guy that worked for my dad had a Ghia coupe with a Porsche six mid engine. It had no engine cover when he would take me for a ride he would turn around in his seat and spray ether in the two three barrel carbs to start it. I have loved Ghia's ever since then my wife drove one for years.

[crazyrichard]

i wouldnt change a thing , looked at it for quite a while and i just think the wheels and arch proportions are great .. its real low , wheels show great ..

[ScrappyJ]

Thanks, Jim, Richard, Jason, Rick and Kerry!

[ScrappyJ]

……………… ……………………………………..

BEAUTIFUL! You are striking nostalgic nerve with me that feels soooooo good. This has to be one of THE slickest VW's I've ever seen. And between the real 1:1's and models, that's a lot.

Colors chosen for the body & interior? How are the wheels being finished? I have an idea what would look absolutely killer, but i'd like to hear your plans.

Thanks, John. It will be blue with a grey interior and the wheel centers will be some type of metalizer like titanium or graphite.

[Dave B]

Hi Dirk,

That is pretty spectacular, I can't wait to see you start on the coupe version, a Zagato double bubble of course!!!

Just kidding

Dave

[Romell R]

Hey This is one heck of a build you got goin I love it! Looks like I wont be doin that convertable Gia after all LOL! keep up the good work!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Any updates?

[FASTBACK340]

Thanks, John. It will be blue with a grey interior and the wheel centers will be some type of metalizer like titanium or graphite.

Dark Blue….Grey Interior….Graphite Wheels….

That sounds nice! Sweet & subtle combo.

[Belugawrx]

???

[ScrappyJ]

After a very trying May and June (personal issues), I finally got back to working on the Ghia.

First order of business was reworking the bumpers at Morton's suggestion. There was just too much space between the bumpers and the body of the car, so I whipped out the 'ole putty and filled in the gaps. I agree with Morton that it looks much better:

I also had to redo the two trunks (since this is now a mid-engine build, I essentially have two trunk areas). This was what I was working with first (it came out of a Maitso diecast notchback, but fit really well, then I decided to just use it as a pattern for a new one):

The new one for the front. I think it's an improvement, though:

The rear, which normally would be the hood:

[bobthehobbyguy]

Glad to see you back on this. Nice job of scratch building on the trunk areas.

[prostreeter69]

That is one sweet Ghia, you are one talented builder. Absolutely beautiful work!!!

Jon

[FASTBACK340]

Nice to see some updates Dirk. Beautiful build!

[ScrappyJ]

Thanks for the kind words fellas!

A pic of fuchs centers that Jim Littiken did for me:

I also went ahead and machined a fuel cell for the front (although it IS now mid-engine and better-balanced, I figured the fuel cell in the front would definitely help in that area too). The filler cap looks like it has mesh on it, but it is actually knurled that tiny. I thought it turned out okay, except you really can't tell the difference:

Here it is inside of the trunk. Due to space, or lack there of, I had to machine the tank so that it fit down inside of the upper frame for the front. In most cases, I consider myself more lucky than good, because the little notches at the front/bottom of the fuel cell were needed for clearance and dropping the fuel cell in there. The angles actually came out exactly, dead-on:

A side/profile pic with the new wheels:

Edited August 23, 2014 by ScrappyJ

[Codi]

Dirk, Glad to see you back on this one. I really like this build on many levels. The bodywork mods you've made so far are just perfect. Love the stance and the car just "looks right" from all angles. Nice machining as well. Cheers, Tim

[vintagedragfan]

glad to see see some one making some progress Dirk, I can't seem to make any! The Ghia is really shaping up, every thing is looking perfect! do we have a color picked out for this badboy??? all ways a treat my friend!

[Byron5150]

looking sick! Nice work!