House of Karmann

[Bootsy]

Excellent

[KS]

Looking good!

[rhd racer]

Great progress


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[Robneal]

Fantastic progress... cant wait to see it finished...

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[greg356a]

Colour selection time for the KG. Trying to pick a modern twist but period look.

This is 911 ST Shore Blue with stripe of Sportgraumetallic – M7M” (fashion grey). Colours compliment each other. Stripe looks great but may go with wing top darts to match the 356 Coupe.

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[Geordie71]

Hey Greg – I have just found this thread and will take me a while to read. But in the meantime I have a white 63 Karmann Ghia hot rod which is not run since Covid and just starting the process of getting her back on the road


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[Sam]

It’s blue

[greg356a]

Hey Steve, looks like the KG is in great condition and relatively straight forward to get back on the road.

[greg356a]

Progress has been slow on KG, due to other car priorities. Fitting the re-built engine in the 356 and welding the fuel cell up for the speedster flat6. These are almost done.

Originally I was going to use original 356 gauges, high cost of second hand gauges, rebuild and any artwork dial change cost and time scale, coupled with getting the Porsche 6v electronics/ mechanical drives to integrate with 12v bespoke wiring loom I decided to buy these beauties;

Replica KG gauges from IPS West in the USA.

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They have a period 356 green gauge "look" and should be significantly easier adapt to the loom. Plus all the requisite features to meet the IVA test.

[greg356a]

Another task off the list. 944/968 4 x calipers fully refurbished and painted;

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I have the same brakes on my 356 speedster with no servo and they work incredibly well.

[Bootsy]

Those gauges look perfect

[greg356a]

The pace of progress has been great over the last couple of weeks. I took time off work to complete the chassis. Wanted to get it ready for mating to the body later this year.

Everything fits and functions.

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Found a large bore VW master cylinder which fitted.
A pair of 10mm fuel lines should feed the EFI nicely.

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I used the J West 2 inch extended gear shifter, must say its quite smooth. The hand brake cable are 10mm too short for the Porsche 550 style hand brake, I have a solution but waiting on parts to arrive. This is the last job.

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Getting the original VW drive shafts, VW CV coupling to mate the 901 CV joints, rear disks/ hand brake shoes and springs and big red calipers all to align was very challenging. I had to get some machine work on the axle spacer.

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May need to support the hand brake cable. I think it would be best to provide some sort of bracket once the body is fitted. I designed and made my own front 901 gearbox bracket using the OEM Porsche mounts. The rear uses all the original VW parts including mounts. There is a removable plate underneath to access the gear selector shaft which is easier than from inside the car.

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The 901 gearbox clutch operates but not sure if I have enough travel at the pedal to activate. It is a constant contact system with no return spring. I don't have a release bearing. flywheel or clutch to check. I tried to ensure any components can be removed for services once the body is on.

The next big issue is finding someone to make me a full loom which has all the extra IVA requirements. I used American Autowire kit last time, but its quite limited to meet the IVA spec, needs a lot of extra circuits.

Started dis-assemble the early 912/911 seats. I understand the cost of re-chroming the hinges is very high, looking for an alternative options.

[Bootsy]

Great update - bet you can’t wait to drop the body on

[greg356a]

Really cant wait to join them back together, unfortunately there is a lot of work and time before then.

Work recently subscribed to chat gbt very addictive. This image below is the goal.

overall design concept

Not a perfect image but gives the idea!

[Bootsy]

Wonderful, a great look to aim for