“I Byte”1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

documented by Magilla 8 photos documented since 2008 ♡ Follow this build

The story

This vehicle is a life-long project (I actually started cutting on it in 1986!). It has seen one marriage go by the way, and has been sitting in storage since 1995! I gutted the body, built the mix of square and round tube, backbone-type frame to mount the 455 in a midship configuration; full, 12-point+ rollcage; split the body down the middle & widened it 12 inches; suicide doors; tilt rear, tilt front. It has Chip Foose Nitrous II wheels, 8x17's front/10x17's rear with Sumitomo HTR Z II 245/40ZR17 and 275/40ZR17 rubber. This is an on-again, off-again project that I hope will be done someday soon, before I'm too damn old to drive it! — Magilla

Photos

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Maroon project coupe with roll cage and mismatched paint on polished wheels in a garage

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Bronze coupe project car on blocks with wide flares and roll cage in a garage

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Low-slung matte-black custom V-twin motorcycle with polished billet wheels, side view, gizmag.com watermark

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Custom V-twin trike with two front wheels and wide rear tire, rear three-quarter view.

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Rear view of a matte-black custom trike with a wide center rear tire and exposed chrome engine

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Matte black custom trike with two front wheels and exposed engine on pavement

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Matte black custom four-wheeled quad with chrome wheels, 3/4 front view on pavement

1965 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — Bare-metal hot rod coupe with exposed chrome V8 and polished wheels in a driveway

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MA Magilla Member since 2005 · 4 vehicles

Engine: 1970 Oldsmobile 455 GT. This is the 400hp/500pft engine. Currently, the motor is still stock, with about 75,000 miles on it, runs strong, doesn't burn/smoke oil. Until funds allow, the motor is headed for a complete rebuild with Edelbrock heads/intake/Holley 850. Once funds allow, this puppy will get a complete makeover with an ATI ProCharger/intercooler; crank-triggered, coil-on-plug ignition, & drysump.
Drivetrain: TH-425 3-speed auto. Note: this tranny is one of the strongest GM ever put out in a production passenger vehicle. It was designed to pull a Toronado, at around 4,200 lbs. It will be rebuilt with high-performance components to handle the expected, future power increases from the ProCharger.