Karmann Ghia: It's complete!!

No...not the real car. The engineer's drawing of the body dimension's is framed and now hanging in my office. It turned out pretty well. But enough about that; here's what's happened with Project Zambezi this week.

From the Karmann Ghia Factory Body and Chassis Repair Manual

So I've discovered that I'm missing a horn relay, a door buzzer (probably a good thing) and a rear window defogger relay. Also, the clock gauge must be from a 1971 Ghia, because it's missing the 'headlight' indicator, and the left and right turn-signal indicators. Even more ominous was the words "Clock Yes...Fuel Gauge No" written with black marker on the side of this gauge. Below is a picture of the face of the wrong gauge. I've ordered a replacement with the opposite problem...."Clock No..Fuel Gauge Yes". Call me old fashioned, but I can use the SUN to figure-out the time within a hour or so...I can't think of any other non-explosive way to check the amount of remaining fuel in the gas tank. Anyway, I plan to use the clock motor from my current gauge and replace the clock in the newly purchased gauge...Then I'll have all the indicators, a clock, and the ability to check the level of fuel.

Looking "Clockwise" (sorry couldn't resist) from about 10 o'clock Oil Pressure, High-Beam, Nebulous Turn Signal, and Generator. There should be an indicator to let you know the headlights are on, and separate indicators for the left and right turn-signal.

Remember, this car was void of 80% of the dash when I got it, and the 20% that was there, was in the trunk. 15% of the 80% I had to purchase from eBay. 5% of the 20% that was in the trunk is wrong. Of the 15% purchased from eBay, 25% will be resold to someone else.

I'll pick-up some relays from the parts store this weekend. I think the flasher relay is bad too, but I still need to test it. I rough-wired everything, leaving out the ancillary electrical parts, so that I could try to start the engine this weekend. As I suspected, the ignition switch is probably bad. I suspected this earlier, since someone had mounted a starter button on the dash. Luckily, I have a new ignition switch which I'll install this week. It will be good to sit down for a change. Also next week, I'm removing what's left of the engine compartment insulation and checking all of the 'extra' wires. I think a lot of these are for the diagnostic port, but it's hard to tell at this point. I also need to check the wiring to the starter because I think I remember an extra wire there with no home.

The lights are working, which is a major feat since it didn't even have any wiring for the headlights when I started. More to come next week.

Now that the weather is starting to warm-up, I'll probably tackle the dash restoration in the next week or so. I'd like to get that completed so that I can install the gauges and switches.