Cheap Corner

THE LIVING PROOF:

Right from embarking on this new chapter we thought that just reading about some enthusiasts pipe dream will not satisfy our readers. So we had to put our money (remember: as little as somehow possible…) where our mouth was.

HERE IT COMES:

During some months we listened closely to what people would tell about their hobby and cars. One day a business partner, sports car enthusiast and dear friend mentioned that he had an old KARMANN GHIA Coupe tucked away in his mothers garage: "must have been sitting there for 4-5 years….." So I drove the investigation further until we met in the mausoleum. My god, - this stylish sixties two seater had not moved since 1989. Even the owner was surprised. After some considerations he generously agreed to let me have it for EUR 1.000,-. Yes, he is a very kind gentleman.

GO CATCH IT:

This picture was a classic “barn find”. As the Karmann was covered with layers of cloth and dust plus a soccer goal obstructing the way towards daylight and 3 brakes firmly stuck on, there was no easy way to collect it.
A week later, - armed with a Range Rover, car transporter and Harald the master mechanic himself, we came to fetch it. What a difficult job it was as it took us more than two hours changing wheels and spraying penetrating oil into the brakes (will need changing anyway) to make it move at last.

WHAT DID WE GET?

Looking at the object of desire, it is a 1965 Karmann Ghia 1200 Coupe,Type 143, Chassis# 145541 908, five previous owners and 86.000 km on the clock.
Still quite original and solid, it had some welding done to the sills and front wings (no wonder as these cars had not proper rust protection and the decay already started in the sales brochure). Once resprayed in its original ziegelrot, but forgetting about the roof’s contrasting black colour it had when it was born. The interior is black plastic (real plastic, yes) and charcoal fabric on the seats. The original white plastic steering wheel is still there plus two unusual extras: A lock “Sperrwolf” on the gear stick and an Eberspächer petrol heater. Anybody out there, who know how to operate it without blowing up the fuel tank? Original steel wheels with very narrow cross ply tyres support the machine. Registration papers (Austrian Typenschein) come with it, but keys unfortunately have been lost.

COUNTING COSTS (NOV.2008)

- 1000,- purchase price
- 100,- collection costs
- 12,- cleaning materials

EUR 1112,- total

NEXT STEPS:

Clean out interior, find nice wheels and tyres, buy a 6V battery make doors fit properly, organize keys (at least for ignition lock), rebuild carburettor, clean out fuel tank.

Pictures: