Here’s something a little different, but then it is in San Francisco. It’s quite honestly described as “A 1970’s Sci-fi experiment gone awry”. But this mutilated KG has a 180hp Corvair turbo engine, and there’s pics of a 140hp version too. So does “$50” cover all of it, or?
Here’s the text of the ad:
Parting out this Ghia. Was configured to do some serious Baja work. A 1970’s Sci-fi experiment gone awry, it has a Bug rear seat, massive rear tires, and the fastest engine (180 turbo charged) Corvairs ever had. The body is rusty like is was driven through the ocean. The pan is actually solid. The interior is nice too. This one has not been run in a long time but it rolls and steers. Value is in the engine and parts but if you want to enter it in the Concours de Lemons, you will probably win. OR USE THE RUNNING GEAR AND CHASSIS FOR A SPEEDSTER PROJECT. Or, if you make it run you can take it or some air. The top is fiberglass but the fenders are all steel. Also, it has a 4 point rollbar in it.This is great if you’re trying to fix a Ghia. Calls only please.
Here’s a shot of that 140 hp Corvair mill, in the back of a pickup. If all this goes for $50, it’s the steal of a lifetime. I’m probably reading it wrong.
Wow!
I haven’t needed any eye bleach for awhile, but today might be the day. I promise to donate some to the buyer. A few splashes on poor Quasimodo’s Ghia would go a long way. 😉
Or you could inject it under your skin, like HE suggested.
I would have liked to be a fly on the wall during that decision making process, it certainly is an interesting object.
I’ve never seen photos of a Corvair engine in a VW before, it fits pretty nicely.
OK, I’ll take it but you’re one zero short. Yes $50 is out of the question. The price is $500. Agreed? Good. No, I don’t pay you. You pay me.
This has to be the rustiest vehicle in all of California.
There are some cars within salt-spray distance of the ocean that you can see through.
It’s too bad the salt is taking this inspired mashup for, “Mad Max Enters Death Race 2000.”
No. Give me a day to drive around the Ocean Beach/Sunset District of the City or the Mission Beach area of San Diego and I’m sure I can find worse.
It would be fun to check it out, but fun could be defined as recreation, and we’re not supposed to travel more than 5 miles from home, for recreation, so that’s out. Darn that coronavirus.
UPDATE: I had to check it out (the ad, not the car itself). The same seller seems to have another Ghia and more parts as well. And it’s much closer than SF, Los Gatos … your old stomping grounds Paul.
Here’s the other Ghia. A bit more than $50.
If I controlled a movie studio I’d snap it up for use in the next post-apocalyptic movie that may come along. You can’t design that kind of cred.
Fast, versatile, good looking, and well-maintained…what’s not to like?
I love VW’s. (air cooled only) I love Corvair’s. Just not like this.
So, sort of the anti-Reese’s peanut butter cup? 🙂
I want that Corvair motor in my Ghia! It would combine two of my favorite vehicles.
I know this was done a lot back in the day – seems to fit ok, but I wonder how difficult it is and how it affects weight distribution…
Anyone have any idea?
Would certainly be a refreshing change to the usual Subie motor swap….
Weight estimates on the net are all over the place, but be assured the Corvair is significantly heavier. Not good for handling. Also, rotation is opposite, so you have to deal with that. One way is to flip the VW transaxle diff 180 degrees.
I have a stock Karmann Ghia and a Corvair engine, but that engine is for an experimental airplane. Dry wieght for an aircraft 2180cc VW is about 170lb and 225lb for the Corvair, both no-turbo versions. These are not installed weight in a car. Add stock fan and sheet metal, starter, generator, and exhaust system. and you add up to 100lb.
$50? The Corvair engines (140 and 180) are probably worth almost $1000 as a pair if they are complete and rebuild-able. Time to repower the ’65 Aaron.
Bob
No kidding! I think I’d take the turbo simply for its weirdness; not to mention, a sidedraft Carter is a whole new opportunity to be frustrated with a mechanical part!
Someone needs to put that poor thing out of its misery.
It’s a shame that monstrosity was made from such a beautiful car
+1
Holy moses. This thing looks straight out of some sort of post-apocalyptic film or video-game of sorts. I’d love to keep it all grungy and make that Corvair engine really purr!
Looks like someone had some serious fun back in the day.
Also looks like they took a lot of time to make this creation. I’m down with most of the mods, the flares look like they were relatively well done, and it the front tire carrier solution is interesting and kind of cool. The top however is where they loose me. With all of the work they did and considering its intended use they should have made it removable.
The result of a thrilling race between Sawzall and Rust.
Spoiler: Rust won.
Unsafe at any speed, indeed.
Seller should get the Corvair engine out of the vehicle and sell the engines.
Crush the Ghia.
I was thinking the same thing!
Dr. Frankenstein’s hobby car
Here in the Midwest, some one would rattle can it flat black and ask $1,000.00
Oh, and don’t forget to mention “ran when parked” in the ad.
Oh man … that rust….
Reminds me of the orange Swiss-cheese Ghia my drummer had in the early ’90s, near the ocean in southern California.
The driver’s-side floorpan was so totally gone that the seat started falling through and so he tied a giant, tire-swing-sized heavy rope around the entire car – under the seats and over the roof – we actually climbed in through the windows ’cause we couldn’t open the doors! You had to know the guy….
I kept telling him that one day his damn rope was gonna rot out and break and he was gonna hit a bump at speed and fall through the floor and get cut in half by his own car … and he would just laugh….
Oh, those days of being young & dumb 🙂
I have a 145 ci in my Corvair. I’ve heard that it was a popular engine to swap into dune buggies. Despite the weight, it allowed for great traction and one heck of a thrill ride if done correctly.