Current restoration work: '54 Oval-Beetle Sliding-Ragtop, '59 Beetle Sedan, '60-'59 KG Cabrio, '60 KG Coupe, '63 Notchback, '64 KG Cabrio, '64 Notchback, '65 Beetle Sedan, '65 13-Window Bus, '66 21-Window Bus, '69 KG Cabrio, '70 Bus, '71 Bus, '71 KG Cabrio, '74 412, '74 1303 Cabrio, '74 1303 Sedan,
" Belle "
~ 1964 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet ~
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1964 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet - 'Belle'
Interior and restoration work by reVOLKS completed recently.
Brought to us by the new Oklahoma owner for some finishing touches and detailing; this 1964 Karmann Ghia was so beautiful already, that her name 'Belle' came naturally :)
~ The Project Plan ~

The owner wanted a classical, vintage-looking interior that was tasteful and correct looking for an early model. The dash was in need of some work, given her vintage, the user-parts were showing their age - the steering wheel and knobs were cracked, chipped and rough around the edges.
Other details the owner wanted taken care of included front and rear suspension and steering. Additionally, the engine bay and deck lid needed some painting. Finally the original chassis pans were cleaned and protected to last another....well, one doesn't speak of lady's age ;)


Early steering wheel in need of help Early steering wheel detail before work Early steering wheel. Hand-restoration in progress Early steering wheel being reinstalled Early steering wheel after installation work

This block of pics shows Belle's steering wheel in original condition.
Demonstrating she was not a garage queen all these years; the wheel was removed from the car and put through the full restoration process.
The end results are beautiful and in the last pictures you can see that the rest of the dash accents were also restored using the same 'silver-beige' color and matched to the restored seat frames too.
Belle's interior is removed including steering wheel Salt-n-Pepper carpet install in progress Carpet is partially installed. Carpet installation completed. Panels begin Rear hinge covers installed Interior completed with vintage parcel tray
This block of pics highlights the interior work.
Original interior is removed and cabin is prepped for new interior components. The carpet installation begins, followed by interior panels and finally seat upholstery and accessory items complete the project.
Chassis undercoating in progress Rear axle work in progress Front suspension is removed Ghias race to the top

While interior restoration work was going on, mechanical work was done in parallel. In this block of pics the rear suspension was cleaned and the rear axle boots were replaced.
The rear deck lid was removed for paint stripping and prepping of engine bay for a paint job to come.
The chassis was also cleaned and then undercoated as the original pans are in great and original condition. The front end work was also performed - the King Pin/Link Pin suspension was replaced with new German K&L pins. Also the tie rods were all replaced as the original units were showing signs of age and had become sloppy.

The final pic here shows Belle racing Pumpkin to the top of the lift :)
Engine Bay paint stripping and prep Engine bay is primed for paint after cleaning is completed Belle is being taken to the paint booth Engine bay is painted to match body. Inside view of deck lid after stripping, priming and painting.

This block of pics shows some of the paint work that Belle had done.
The rear engine bay was for some reason not painted when the body was done previously. The recent-new owner wanted a sano appearance and so the entire engine bay was stripped, primered and then painted to match the body. This included the inside of the deck lid.
Belle rolled out of paint booth Engine bay detail of new paint. Inside of deck lid after installation. Engine bay paint work completes. A new seal will be installed.

Here we see Belle after the engine bay paint work is completed.
After being rolled back from the paint booth into the shop, some close-up pics show the paint detail and the deck lid after being installed back on body.
A rear engine bay seal is yet to be installed.
Completed steering wheel and accents Completed seat upholstery Door panels, carpet & upholstery compliment each other. Seats were restored prior to new sisel, padding and upholstery. Rear cabin area is also restored and carpeted. Belle is Bella! The owner has her original engine ready to go back in... A rose by any other name :)

The completion of this work is all in the pictures :)

The steering wheel, dash knobs, door accents, shifter knob, heater faucet knob and seat frames were all restored, color matched and show beautifully.
The colors selected to complete Belle's interior are very vintage and really work well together. The grey with tweed insert seat upholstery matches the door panels perfectly and the carpeting is very complimentary with the completed look.

The final three pics show this Karmann Ghia Cabrio is a Bella Belle!

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