First classic: Karmann Ghia/Beetle?

case_sensitive

Hi, this is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while :-)

I want to do a restoration/spruce up of classic next summer, for a bit of fun, and the occasional weekend away. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I've always intended to learn, my family has always had engines on the kitchen table, going back a few generations on both sides, it sort of in the blood.

Initially I was set on doing up Jag XJS, getting Classic insurance etc, but my mechanic friend is discouraging me, pushing me more in the direction of the original Beetle.
I was a little downbeat, because though they have heaps of character, I sort of had my heart set on something a bit more sporty looking; on body alone I was attracted to the Triumph TR6 cabrio, and went through a week where I was convinced I was going to pick up the shell of an e-type. But then I came across the Karmann Ghia; gorgeous, engine not a ridiculous size, best of all, virtually part-compatible with the Beetle, and the icing on the cake, about half of them seem to be convertibles. Post '68 models are unleaded and use 12V, so I'm going to be looking for a '71/'72 I think.

I've done a fair bit of reading, and my major problem with is that the body is all one piece, so if it's rusting, it's a welder I need. Now I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, but something tells me it's not the same! Having had a read of this:
http://restowagenuk.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2319&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
I'm a little daunted.

Has anyone ever done a restore on one of these?
Aside from ensuring the floor pan is solid (is there a better way to do it than with a magnet and a hammer?) what should I look out for?
Could I teach myself to spray paint it myself?

Any other recommendations for a starter? Most people (including my Dad, Uncle and mechanic cousin) cut their teeth on an original Beetle, moving on to MGs afterward.

Appreciate your thoughts!

case_sensitive

Now be gentle, I'm only new, but is there a reason to automatically discount a replacement body shell made of fiberglass?
Something like:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4592137237&fromMakeTrack=true

No more rust issues, couple this with a set of new pans and you'd be set, no?
I've seen E-type shells made entirely of aluminium http://www.eaglegb.com/view/9/

MercMad

I think that teaching yourself to weld properly and teaching yourself to spray paint is something that should be done first, and on a less complex car too !

A convertible car of ANY brand has a very complex floor structure. Any rust here needs to be repaired carefully as simply cutting and welding isn't enough. You need to brace the car and enbsure you dont have any body flexing. Some special equipment and plenty of space would be neccesary !

Same goes for spray painting. These days even buying the paint can be a laborious and complex task. You need good equipment, plenty of space and ventilation and even then you will battle to get a good finish !

Maybe a Beetle would be the better car to start with. At least you could get used to nwelding and painting without forking out a huge amount !

case_sensitive

Good points, but obviously I'm not just going to crack open the box to my shiny new arc welder and set it on my €6000 project shell! That's what my collection of old bikes is for :->
Yeah, I'd like to avoid having to do any welding, so I'm planning to stick a few quid more into the ol' SSIA every month so I can buy one with a solid shell. I think I was wrong about the all-in-one body though, a resto manual I got off the web shows very seperate parts, and certainly there are bodyshops that sell (fiberglass) replacement wings, nose, etc.

The spray painting is something I've no idea how to do yet, but again, I can get some sheet metal/bikes to practice on. Maybe.

What are my chances of getting a KG here? There are loads in the UK, and even more in the US, but the hassle of getting them over, and more importantly, viewing them before buying is offputting.

FatTony2000

I would recommend the KG I have been driving my 72 for 2 years now and the novelty has yet to wear off.
Admittedly I paid someone to do the bodywork so I can't help with advice there but the more of them on the road the better.
Mine was imported from the UK in 97 and was pretty rough when I found her. In some ways I regret not importing one myself as the UK ones that I have seen are generally in better condition and would have saved me some money.
If you are serious about importing from the uk. Its worth paying the rac to check it out for you.

But don’t stress they are out there I know of two that are in need of restoration here.
One left, one right hand drive. In fact one is an original Irish 56 but the owner will not part with it for love nor money. There have been a few in buy and sell over the last couple of months. If I remember correctly there was one in sligo for 1500 euro I can only assume that it was in bits for that sort of money.
It might be an idea to hook up with some of the VW clubs as the guys there might know where there is some hiding away.

http://www.type2ireland.org/
http://www.southernvolksfolks.com/

Good look with the search.
p:s
here is the link to some for sale in europe.
http://www.type2ireland.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=3120
you may have to join the site to see them..