convertible

[stcos85]

How difficult would it be to find a convertible auto. I have seen 2 for sale on the samba.

does anyone know how many of these were built?

[NOVA Ghia Owner]

Model/Year?

Depending on the year, it could be very rare.  For example, in 1974, VW only made 1,558 Ghia 'verts and 5,730 Beetle 'verts.  Given the lack of popularity of the AS option and that the option itself was nearing the end of its production run, I wouldn't be surprised if no more than 5% of the convertible production had the A/S option.

That would mean about 80 Ghia 'verts were made that year with the option and about 250 Beetle 'Verts.

I tried to buy a '74 AS Beetle 'Vert last Friday.  It was advertised in my local paper.  No rust and good top.  Engine and transmission were not working but were there - $650.  I tried to get there as fast as I could.  Twenty minutes from the owner's house, he calls me to tell me someone just bought it.  It even had AC!  A very rare combination indeed.  Oh well!

[stcos85]

Finally found an auto stick Karmann convertible. Here is a pic of it, hopefully it will come up. Its a 71 1302s



Had a good look over today and there is a fare amount of rust around the windscreen and around the filler cap. will need a good bit of welding in that area. can you buy repair panels for around the windscreen?

Also for some reason only the rear nearside sidelight works. Checked the wiring and there was no power. Headlights come on when so it is something with the sidelight. Also the first fuse(to the left) has blown. When I replaced it it just blew again. I will have to check a wiring diagram to see what it is unless anyone has any ideas

[volkenstein]

Stcos85,
           Nice ride!! Another 71 super on board!

Wiring. If the fuse has grey wires, it's in the stop/turn signal light feed circuit, if it has black (at least two) it's your ignition/secondary power circuit. Another thing on this circuit is the fuel gauge wiring and if it is hooked up wrong it will blow all the time.

www.thesamba.com has online wiring diags, but they mostly are US models. Ours are close to US,  but they have some oddities such as seat belt interlock circuits and other crap. I can scan my non-US '71 wiring diag and email it to you.

If you are going to seriously play with the electrics get a test light, a spare battery, some jumper leads (with alligator clips fitted) and some sandpaper or wire brush. 30+ year old connections more often than not need a damn good clean!!


Regards
Volkenstein

[68AutoBug]

Congratulations on the Find....

Now that IS rare... finding something You actually wanted...

I believe most of Us AutoStick owners found the AutoStick by Accident....
Karmann made cabriolets [VW didn't make them] were never sold in Australia.... nor Karmann Ghia cabriolets ...

I have seen a couple of RHD ones that were imported from Japan...
Japan is RHD also...
Naturally USA imports [LHD[ are about too...  but still very rare...

and VERY Expensive....  in Australia....

Best of luck

Lee  -- 68autobug -- Australia --

[stcos85]

haven't checked the fuses yet as its too dark and have no lights in the garage I am building but as the fuel gauge works I don't think that this is the problem.

Just taking the fuses out caused a few to just fall apart so first thing will be to replace them. It has been suggested that I take off a red/grey wire if I have one on this terminal. I think that this is to the rear number plate light from looking at the samba wiring diagrams. it may be earthing out somewhere.

will let you know how I get on.

[Wayne Venomous]

Hi! (just responded to your other thread under welcome)

Shame you don't live further up north as electricals is my speciality. I do occasionally go down to Southend as I've got friends down there (and I'm going to be doing the heater channels on their Jeans Beetle!)

Any aircooled VW I own gets rewired regardless of the condition of the wires as it solves all the electrical problems in one go. Plus I'm so used to rewires now it doesn't take me that long. I rewire it to modern specification so the car actually has 16 fuses (all modern blade fuses) and more relays.

[68AutoBug]

Hi Wayne again,

I have rewired a few Beetles...
but I reuse all the VW switches... I clean all terminals on the switches and fusebox so all copper is like new...
I solder all connections with new wires, and heavier wires and use heatshrink over the end of the terminals...

everyone should clean the fusebox including the copper bits where the fuses go... Your car will love You for it...
also the earthing/grounding strap on the gearbox...
with a new cadmium or zinc plated bolt and nut...

I just had a terrible job rewiring My Sons ratlook 56 Beetle...
as he wanted to use everything original...  plus change over to 12v...
it was a terrible job as everything was so old and dirty/contaminated...
Finally slipped in a couple of relays for headlamps and starting...
He wouldn't let Me drill any holes in the car....??

cheers

Lee  -- 68AutoBug -- Australia --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[Wayne Venomous]

Hi Lee!

I usually reuse the existing switches as long as they're ok (they occasionally disintegrate when I'm removing the old wires)

I don't use the stock wiring diagram though as I've designed my own which has extra relays to take the strain from the switches (especially the ignition switch). Also I use modern blade fuses as they're available in a much wider range of amps. Plus you can get blade fuses anywhere - the old style ceramic fuses are getting difficult to find in the UK these days.

[68AutoBug]

Yes Wayne,
the ceramic fuses are getting harder to find but still available at your friendly VW parts shop...
although the closest VW shop to Me is 330kms away...
so I buy mostly by Mail order... [internet order]
but I keep spares of just about everything, and carry a lot of little spares with me.. in the beetle..
I have collected VW switches from many models and also from type 2s..
I have used type 2 knobs on the switches of My beetle, so My fingernails don't scratch My dashboard paint..
I always use a relay for the starter motor/ignition switch circuit, and I've even used one for My engine ignition...
From reading about VWs over the preceding years , I was fooled into buying a few new Ford type solenoid relays...
I've never used them, gave them to My Son as he's also into Fords..
I just use the standard Bosch relays..
Most key switches are just about worn out... so its best to use a relay..
I just put a push button switch in My Son's 56 beetle as the start position on the ignition switch stopped working...
I was thinking about putting a hidden push button in My beetle in case the ignition switch fails....
It has stopped working occasionally for a few minutes but always starts and is OK then... I'm just going to change My starter motor over, as it didn't sound too good last time I started it..
Maybe solenoid or brushes??
I was also thinking that maybe the Neutral start switch sometimes sticks??
as I always check the gearlever to see if its in neutral..
and the starter motor usually works after that??

cheers

Lee - 68autobug -- Australia --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug