This is my 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.

i got her 6 years ago from the original owner. She hadn't been driven in about 20 years, so I've spent the last few years doing a bizarre mix of restoraton and modification, and cleaning endless quantities of rust. Now that she is running perfectly, I've decided to go the completely custom route to a unique dream car, and hopefully a head-turning show car.

Walking around to the back of the car, you'll find a lightweight performance version of the 1584cc air-cooled engine. This is a horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, with an oil air filter. I don't have the performance specs for the new engine right now, but I have the paperwork sitting somewhere, and I'll update this when I find it. Coupled to that is the original Volkswagen auto-stick. This 3-speed transmission only has 2 pedals, but still has a 'stick shift.' The shift knob responds to the touch of your hand, engaging a vacuum, which performs the function of the clutch. It also allows the car to idle in gear like an automatic.

Originally, the car was painted the factory Irish Green, but she's seen several different shades of green since then, including the two-tone paint job seen in the thumbnail. The current color is Willow Green, the lighter shade of green offered by the factory. I'm very pleased with it for now, but as things progress I may decide to make a drastic change in color.

Shortly after turning 16, I installed a fairly generic Sony X-Plod sound system. I've removed the subs, and I plan on replacing the speakers and head unit with something more tasteful, while adding tweeters, custom enclosures, and a much better amplifier.

My dad replaced the original wheels with 8-spoke chrome rims, but I'm in the process of restoring the old steels and painting them black. A local store is ordering me 2.75 inch whitewall radials. Coupled with the iconic VW hubcaps, I expect it to make quite a statement.

I got a shipment of parts yesterday, so my work over the next few days will include the addition of:

Empi GT Performance Exhaust

4-inch Round Sideview Mirrors

Modern Three-Point Seatbelts.

I'll take pictures as I go, and I'll add all that I can find of how she's looked over the years. There's a lot of work going into this car, so check for updates. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions, and thanks for looking at my Ghia. If you've been wondering, the name Quo Vadimus is Latin. It means "Where are we going?"