Author Topic: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia  (Read 67413 times)

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Offline wickedwagens

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My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« on: April 24, 2014, 01:35:14 AM »
I am finally starting to make some progress so I figured I would start a build page.  I welcome any feedback or ideas.  This will be my first run on the salt so any help is greatly appreciated.  This was a street car with a 2276cc engine running megasquirt fuel injection.  The plan is to run one of the classic altered classes so all of the fuel injection was pulled out and some cutting has started.  See you on the salt.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2014, 01:45:24 AM by wickedwagens »
1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
G/CFALT  106.643 MPH  8/2016    G/CGALT  113.131 MPH  9/2016
G/CBGALT  169.462  MPH  8/2021    G/CBFALT  146.715  MPH  8/2017
G/CBGC  158.242  MPH  9/2017   H/CBGC  94.334 MPH  8/2018
H/CPRO  93.383 MPH  8/2018   H/CBFALT  101.282 MPH 9/2018
H/CBGALT  120.591 MPH 9/2018
Top Speed 170.726 MPH
36hp VW 100 mph club 9/2019 102.319 MPH

Offline tauruck

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2014, 03:34:00 AM »
Cool build.

I wish you all the best with your project and if you can't get advice or find help here it doesn't exist. :-D

Welcome. Mike. :cheers:

Offline jacksoni

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2014, 08:49:56 AM »
I don't recall their names but there has been a successful Ghia at the salt for a long time. Engine swap (like a Pinto motor I think). Someone will likely remember and maybe put you in touch for ideas. What are you planning to put you in Altered? Most of the mods fit with front motored cars better than rear from a performance enhancing point of view. As your first (?correct) you might consider running Classic Production first though the Alt record also is reasonable. However, as there is no Fuel Coupe class (anymore) running fuel automatically puts you in Alt so you don't have to modify the car any. Hmm, just answered my own question. Maybe you had figured that out already. Anyway, good luck. Post up things as you go along.
Jack Iliff
 G/BGS-250.235 1987
 G/GC- 193.550 2021
  G/FAlt- 193.934 2021 (196.033 best)
 G/GMS-182.144 2019

Offline lvsalt

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2014, 09:05:23 AM »
 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Gary Cole     DCWATERJET Z

Offline Frankie7799

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2014, 12:22:03 PM »
Glad to see you start a build Mark. Looking foward to seeing you progress along

Offline SteveM

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2014, 12:58:19 PM »
I'll have to do some more searching around, but KG's have definitely been used with success at Bonneville.  It seems to me that some of the White Goose Bar members have been involved with such an effort.

I believe that the more common engine swap is to replace the air cooled VW engine with a water cooled VW straight-four in any of the suitable displacements.
1/2 of the Rampage Brothers

Offline lsrjunkie

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2014, 01:26:29 PM »
Cool little car! Keep the pictures coming!  :cheers:
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish. The product of a demented hill billy who has found a way to live out where the winds blow. To sleep late, have fun, drink whiskey, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love or getting arrested.    H.S. Thompson

Offline kiwi belly tank

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2014, 01:45:24 PM »
Good to see young blood wanting to go LSR-ing with a different vehicle they have an interest in. Good onya Mate! :cheers:
  Sid.

Offline wickedwagens

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2014, 12:56:39 AM »

It was Larry Monreal. 
Quote
Beginning in 1976, Larry set more than thirty Volkswagen land speed records with his #57 Karmann Ghia coupe's, some which are still in the record book today. The SCTA/BNI honored Larry with a dedication in the 2010 Speedweek Program that outlined his more than sixty years of Bonneville racing with lakester's, then motorcycles and finally, his famous record setting Karmann Ghia's
Unfortunately Larry passed away this last Monday, April 21st.  God Speed Larry.
1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
G/CFALT  106.643 MPH  8/2016    G/CGALT  113.131 MPH  9/2016
G/CBGALT  169.462  MPH  8/2021    G/CBFALT  146.715  MPH  8/2017
G/CBGC  158.242  MPH  9/2017   H/CBGC  94.334 MPH  8/2018
H/CPRO  93.383 MPH  8/2018   H/CBFALT  101.282 MPH 9/2018
H/CBGALT  120.591 MPH 9/2018
Top Speed 170.726 MPH
36hp VW 100 mph club 9/2019 102.319 MPH

Offline ratpatrol66

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2014, 02:29:18 AM »
So your starting now and plan to be on the salt in August? Follow Bonneville some tradition and run a flat head or straight-8 Buick. No really have fun with your build and keep us posted!

Offline jacksoni

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2014, 06:24:09 AM »
Yes, of course, Larry was exactly who I was thinking of. So sorry to hear of his passing.  :-(
Jack Iliff
 G/BGS-250.235 1987
 G/GC- 193.550 2021
  G/FAlt- 193.934 2021 (196.033 best)
 G/GMS-182.144 2019

Offline BobDcuda

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2014, 07:42:59 PM »
Wicked, do a search on this site for Manifest of Speed and/or Zak Burns.  His Ghia set the record last Speed Week in G/CPRO, don't recall the speed.  They'll likely be back this year, too, running either an F or G motor.  Good luck to you on your project.

Offline wickedwagens

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My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2014, 09:18:47 PM »
Yes, I've kept in contact with Zach Burns.  I've had him send me pictures of his cage and and he has answered a bunch of questions for me.
Seat showed up from Race Day Safety.


The Ultra Shield VS Halo with special order "Bonneville Halo" option meets the helmet requirement nicely and is a piece of art.
1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
G/CFALT  106.643 MPH  8/2016    G/CGALT  113.131 MPH  9/2016
G/CBGALT  169.462  MPH  8/2021    G/CBFALT  146.715  MPH  8/2017
G/CBGC  158.242  MPH  9/2017   H/CBGC  94.334 MPH  8/2018
H/CPRO  93.383 MPH  8/2018   H/CBFALT  101.282 MPH 9/2018
H/CBGALT  120.591 MPH 9/2018
Top Speed 170.726 MPH
36hp VW 100 mph club 9/2019 102.319 MPH

Offline wickedwagens

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My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2014, 11:20:47 PM »
Bars going in.
1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
G/CFALT  106.643 MPH  8/2016    G/CGALT  113.131 MPH  9/2016
G/CBGALT  169.462  MPH  8/2021    G/CBFALT  146.715  MPH  8/2017
G/CBGC  158.242  MPH  9/2017   H/CBGC  94.334 MPH  8/2018
H/CPRO  93.383 MPH  8/2018   H/CBFALT  101.282 MPH 9/2018
H/CBGALT  120.591 MPH 9/2018
Top Speed 170.726 MPH
36hp VW 100 mph club 9/2019 102.319 MPH

Offline Gary Perkinson

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Re: My Salt Dream : VW Karmann Ghia
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2014, 10:09:42 AM »

Unfortunately Larry passed away this last Monday, April 21st.  God Speed Larry.
[/quote]

Wow...well, it looks like the torch has been passed...your Ghia looks great...good luck....

Gary
LTA   G/BGALT Record (1 mile)     143.313
LTA   G/BGALT Record (1.5 mile)  148.321
LTA   F/PRO Record (1 mile)         114.668