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janoostland
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2019
Posts: 19
Location: Goshen, IN
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 Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:41 pm Post subject: 1970 Karmann with drum brakes, is this original? |
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I bought a 1970 parts car and noticed it has drum brakes. My 1969 car has disc brakes. What year did VW switch to disc and are either of my cars original? I'm confused....
Also, is it easy to convert drum to disc? I want to use the 1970 axle on my 1969, anything I should be aware off?
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1683
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Karmann with drum brakes, is this original? |
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First year for front disc brakes on Ghias was '67. Those brakes, the front beam, or possibly the entire pan, is not original.
I only have limited experience with ball joint drum brakes from when I converted my 66 to discs, but I believe they use different spindles than disc brakes (I bought different spindles anyway because I lowered the car). Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that though.
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3918
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Karmann with drum brakes, is this original? |
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That’s correct, drum brake spindles are different to disc brake spindles and 66 was the last year for drum brakes on Ghias. That car has possibly had a pan swap. The pan is easy to check on by matching the Vin number under the seat against the Vin number in the trunk.
I’m wondering if someone in the past thought it was faster or cheaper to swap the entire beam and only this one with drum brakes was available for the flip.
Nicholas
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'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
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Teeroy 
Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2003
Posts: 3685
Location: Eastern WA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: 1970 Karmann with drum brakes, is this original? |
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Someone could have just put a beetle beam in it.
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Pres. Rivercity VW Club www.rcvwclub.org
Founder Derr Wheat Panzers (DWP)
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