Home Page Shop for VW Parts Ordering Info Aircooled VW Discussion Forum VW Tech Articles My Account Contact Airhead Parts Privacy/Security Statement  


1. Were Ghias like Bugs in that the model remained basically the same through it's production?

Yes, The body remained virtually unchanged except for updates much like the Beetle. (Larger signal lights, bigger motor). In fact over the 20 years the Ghia was produced, it changed less than Beetles of the same vintage.
 
2. What were the major changes through the years?
 
Visually the most obvious changes are as follows:
1958 lost the bug "Ribbed spoked" steering wheel and got its own unique steering wheel assembly with an odd shaped horn button that traveled half way up the off set (from the center hub) spokes. In the USA (but not the rest of the world) bows (tubes) were added to the bumpers.
1960 saw the most major change of all product. The headlights were raised, air intakes in the nose were enlarged and tail lights were enlarged from two bulb square shaped to three bulb pointed ovals. Quarter windows went from fixed to pop-out. Steering wheel assembly is again shared with the bug.
1967 introduced four lug wheels with flat hub caps, front disc brakes, twin bumper mounted reverse lights, woodgrain dash with small clock and fuel gauge both orbiting the speedo (previously clock and speedo were the same size with a small fuel gauge in-between.
1968 added a fuel filler flap on the right side fender. Front seats got taller and  narrowed to form built in headrests.
1970 enlarged front turn signals from "Bullet" style to wrap around, tail lights went from a little over 6" tall to about 9" and were flat instead of domed with a  intregated reverse light.
1972 was the final "modernization" of the Ghia. 13" tall tail lights, beetle style heavy (squarish) single piece bumpers, dash face and door tops now covered in black plastic. Two big deep gauges with fuel gauge moved into the bottom of the enlarged clock.


Toll Free Order Line: 800-550-6036
Contact Us | About Us | Community | Shipping Info | My Account | HELP! | Privacy Policy
 
Copyright © <%=year(now())%> Airhead Parts. All rights reserved.