Friend of mine is looking for a VW Karmann Ghia

[franksta]

No, LOL, I'm not making this up, this early model Bug did not come with a fuel gauge, you checked fuel level by means of a stick attached to the gas tank filler under the front hood. Later model Bugs did have a fuel gauge.

This is partially true. My '57 did not have a fuel gauge from the factory. I did keep a stick to check it for a while before adding a gauge.

The real system was far more genius. The outlet at the bottom of the fuel tank had 2 pickups. One pickup was taller than the other and inside the cab was a switch. When you fill the tank you set the switch to draw from the taller pickup. If you ran it dry you switched it to the short one and went to refuel. Of course remembering to reset the switch just in case.

I only did it once and it was on purpose. I was with my girl at the time and we coast over to the side of the road for some "together" time. Afterwards I "remember" the switch and we drive away. Ol' Ferdinand got a little thank you for that brilliant nugget.

 

[BUTCH1]

This is partially true. My '57 did not have a fuel gauge from the factory. I did keep a stick to check it for a while before adding a gauge.

The real system was far more genius. The outlet at the bottom of the fuel tank had 2 pickups. One pickup was taller than the other and inside the cab was a switch. When you fill the tank you set the switch to draw from the taller pickup. If you ran it dry you switched it to the short one and went to refuel. Of course remembering to reset the switch just in case.

I only did it once and it was on purpose. I was with my girl at the time and we coast over to the side of the road for some "together" time. Afterwards I "remember" the switch and we drive away. Ol' Ferdinand got a little thank you for that brilliant nugget.

Yea, I remember about the reserve tank, it really didn't turn out to be a big issue, my brother just filled it, drove until the stick was 3/4 dry and noted the mileage. By doing that he had a good idea of fuel level. The car never stranded him in the 1.5 yrs he had it, if one could live with the low power output and marginal heat it was an OK DD, just not on an expressway..

 

[MEEUH]

Your friend is probably just looking for a hobby car to keep his brain movin'. I have a friend who has a fully restored 1968 Karmann Ghia for sale. He converted it into an electric vehicle, and cleverly eliminated the need for an alternator (due to weight) by having a separate power source for all ancillary items. Anywho, thought you'd be interested since you are lookin' for one...I saw this and thought of him. He has a site...<link to commercial site removed> for his restored Ghia.
Best of luck!

Removed link to site advertising your "friend's" car as being for sale. If you wish to advertise an item for sale, you must do so in the For Sale / For Trade forum and comply with the rules requiring that you post a valid E-mail address.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[MEEUH]

Anyone here know something about these cars? Personally, I'm not sure why he wants one. He is toying with the idea of hot rodding it out, maybe dropping in an air cooled Porsche motor.

Hi there JulesMaximus,
Your friend is probably just looking for a hobby car to keep his brain movin'. I have a friend who has a fully restored 1968 Karmann Ghia for sale. He converted it into an electric vehicle, and cleverly eliminated the need for an alternator (due to weight) by having a separate power source for all ancillary items. Anywho, thought you'd be interested since you are lookin' for one...I saw this and thought of him. He has a site...<commercial link removed> for his restored Ghia.
Best of luck!

Removed link to site advertising your "friend's" car as being for sale. If you wish to advertise an item for sale, you must do so in the For Sale / For Trade forum and comply with the rules requiring that you post a valid E-mail address.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator