Karmann

Chris Gilley Beetles have moved into a new workshop. Updates to our website are underway and we hope to be fully functual by the end of October 2008, so please come back and see us soon to enjoy our new on-line experience.

We have several customers with Karmann Ghias and Cabriolets. Of course, since both are just Beetles in disguise, servicing and repairs are mostly the same as bugs and we have lots of experience with both types. I have a 1960 Karmann Ghia of my own. Below is the story of how I acquired it and began restoring it.

Restoration Story

In 2000 a customer of mine told me he had a 1960 Karmann Ghia which he had decided to sell. I bought the car after only a brief viewing as I had long coveted an early Ghia. Once I had got the car back to the workshop I realised what a task I had taken on! The car was very corroded just about everywhere.

Work has progressed sporadically over the last last three years. The chassis was just about finished last year when some kids decided to steal it and push it into the stream that runs behind our workshop! Retrieving and cleaning it was a major operation. Work on the body has now reached the stage where it will soon be ready for painting, though I have not decided on a colour yet.