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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 19:51

Title: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 19:51
If you could, would you swap to Air cooled, as part of your VW journey?

Holy Grail, or too much hassle

Discuss

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: AlexMozza on 21 June 2011, 19:53
The only air cooled i would get is an Old 911 :D
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: JC on 21 June 2011, 19:58
 :grin:

for the normal bloke in the street, i would say no

for a man of your skills, Yes, but only if the VAN  :lipsrsealed:

 :kiss:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 20:03
Low light Ghia...

(http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/volksgallery/images/8347/large/2_ghia8.jpg)

or my Golf...

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/thom62/DSC_2379.jpg)

Hmmm!

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Steve_PD on 21 June 2011, 20:10
Ghia :cool: or both
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Ant1981 on 21 June 2011, 20:11
Thas a nice looking MK2 buddy.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 20:14
Thas a nice looking MK2 buddy.

Thank you, I made it myself.

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: JC on 21 June 2011, 20:15
as discussed mate, DO it, long time 6ft under etc etc  :lipsrsealed:

and IF you sell the G2, someone is going to get a VERY nice car  :drool:

PS. sell the plate to fund the Aircooled, and keep the G2 too  :wink:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 20:18
as discussed mate, DO it, long time 6ft under etc etc  :lipsrsealed:

and IF you sell the G2, someone is going to get a VERY nice car  :drool:

PS. sell the plate to fund the Aircooled, and keep the G2 too  :wink:

Already been discussed :lipsrsealed:

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: JC on 21 June 2011, 20:20
do that then, win win that way  :wink:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Wayne on 21 June 2011, 21:56
It would a shame to part with the mk2 as it is a corker  :cool:

Hard choice to make, would be ace if you could have both.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: GrandMstRamRod on 21 June 2011, 22:06
t2 split screen! 

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/104/368173960_8057a3c988.jpg)
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: vaughn on 21 June 2011, 22:15
looks a nice ghia :cool:, recently i`ve been liking the type3`s and variants done properly they look  :cool:, or a proper porsche :wink:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Martz on 21 June 2011, 22:17
Both different and I am a fan of both. You have had the golf, go for it!
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: SoundillusioN on 21 June 2011, 22:23
Despite your mk2 being a fantastic example, it can be easily (ish) done/bought again...  If you fancy something different then go with the flow... perhaps sell the mk2 to someone you know so you can buy it back later?  :grin:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Diamond Hell on 21 June 2011, 22:34
The big question is 'how would you do the Ghia?'

The Golf is clearly stunning and a lovely example.  Restoring to OEM was a great idea, as the car was perfectly functional for the period and the period was sufficiently recent for it to be effective and extremely enjoyable as a vehicle today.

But would you want an OEM Ghia?

Dreadful brakes
Lame power output

Is this what you would want?  Is this what you would do with a Ghia?  Or would we see some more of your flair and character in mods on this project?

There are some fantastic modifications you can do to it, whilst retaining an original feel to it, although that may be missing the point for you.

Is a Ghia what you want?  Have you run through the complete set of the aircold ranges and found something that tweaks your buttons?  Let's face it, although they're all woefully under-powered the Ghia is something of a girl's car, too.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: SoundillusioN on 21 June 2011, 22:37
^^ some interesting points.  :wink:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Guy on 21 June 2011, 22:46
if i had the money i would go air cooled... could only be a t2 van for me though
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: SoundillusioN on 21 June 2011, 22:48
if i had the money i would go air cooled... could only be a t2 van for me though

Same but i'd be tempted to convert it to water.  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Diamond Hell on 21 June 2011, 22:59
Same but i'd be tempted to convert it to water.  :lipsrsealed:

Buy a T25 - save yourself the bother  :wink:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 23:13
The big question is 'how would you do the Ghia?'

The Golf is clearly stunning and a lovely example.  Restoring to OEM was a great idea, as the car was perfectly functional for the period and the period was sufficiently recent for it to be effective and extremely enjoyable as a vehicle today.

But would you want an OEM Ghia?

Dreadful brakes
Lame power output

Is this what you would want?  Is this what you would do with a Ghia?  Or would we see some more of your flair and character in mods on this project?

There are some fantastic modifications you can do to it, whilst retaining an original feel to it, although that may be missing the point for you.

Is a Ghia what you want?  Have you run through the complete set of the aircold ranges and found something that tweaks your buttons?  Let's face it, although they're all woefully under-powered the Ghia is something of a girl's car, too.

Interesting points, I like originality, whether its restored to OE, or heavy with patina... My ideal Ghia would have to be a So Cal, or SA import, preferably a 58/59 Lowlight, unmolested, unrestored, and thats how it would stay, only changes would be a narrowed front end, sitting on dropped spindles, and a disc brake conversion, banded rear wheels, and 356 hub caps.. :cool:

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: i_am_me on 21 June 2011, 23:17
personally i would love a ghia or a camper,but i wouldnt leave an underpowered aircooled lump in them,
i go for a more modern 911 lump,watercooled and plenty of power and torque
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Diamond Hell on 21 June 2011, 23:19
My ideal Ghia would have to be a So Cal, or SA import, preferably a 58/59 Lowlight, unmolested, unrestored, and thats how it would stay, only changes would be a narrowed front end, sitting on dropped spindles, and a disc brake conversion, banded rear wheels, and 356 hub caps..

This does not find favour with me, not that it matters one iota.

Surely you can find a fresh take on this, like the Brian Burrows Squareback did a few years back?
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: tdi_blu on 21 June 2011, 23:29
Think ive seen your mk2 at cov meet could be wrong but if its the one lovely motor but Ghia all day long....
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 23:37
My ideal Ghia would have to be a So Cal, or SA import, preferably a 58/59 Lowlight, unmolested, unrestored, and thats how it would stay, only changes would be a narrowed front end, sitting on dropped spindles, and a disc brake conversion, banded rear wheels, and 356 hub caps..

This does not find favour with me, not that it matters one iota.

Surely you can find a fresh take on this, like the Brian Burrows Squareback did a few years back?

Brian Burrows Squareback?  Silver iirc.. very nice car, but that must have been a 50/60k build and overkill as I remember it... I love the look that you get on old, and vintage race cars, thats what I would want to duplicate, somewhere between Rat, and Historic

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 21 June 2011, 23:42
Think ive seen your mk2 at cov meet could be wrong but if its the one lovely motor but Ghia all day long....

Yep, was a regular at the Cov meet, not managed to get over this year, due to a family illness...
May shoot over next week :smiley:

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: SoundillusioN on 21 June 2011, 23:58
Same but i'd be tempted to convert it to water.  :lipsrsealed:

Buy a T25 - save yourself the bother  :wink:

 :grin: Yeah but they're fugly. I jest. If I did it would have to be a Syncro, unless I could find one of these of course:

Type 2 Syncro  :cool:

(http://www.bugland.be/Verschillende_Vw-types_Bus_files/T2_Syncro.jpg)
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: archie837 on 22 June 2011, 07:43
Go for the Ghia. You still don't see that many about.

I'm looking to discs on the rod, but it has the same 5 x 205 stud pattern so looking about £600 an end to swap, unless you swap hubs, but that then loses the nicer stud look.

Power wise, there's plenty of stuff you can do to make em a bit quicker. Nowhere near golf power without massive monies, but a 1641 kit with a set of twin carbs should see you doing ok for everyday use.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Horney on 22 June 2011, 08:22
Tough call, both have their appeal.

I guess though the Golf has been 'done' and now you need something to get your teeth into?

Nick
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Guy on 22 June 2011, 09:12
Same but i'd be tempted to convert it to water.  :lipsrsealed:

Buy a T25 - save yourself the bother  :wink:

 :grin: Yeah but they're fugly. I jest. If I did it would have to be a Syncro, unless I could find one of these of course:

Type 2 Syncro  :cool:

(http://www.bugland.be/Verschillende_Vw-types_Bus_files/T2_Syncro.jpg)

careful... you're talking DH's language there!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: JC on 22 June 2011, 10:39
sell the plate, keep the G2 and JUST DO IT old man.  :evil:

Get a curry night organised and we can all give you grief and decide a way forward  :laugh:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Len on 22 June 2011, 10:45
Ghia everytime!
But for me it would have to be a Razor edge and bright paint and uprated everything!
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: lewis1641 on 22 June 2011, 13:40
as said above somewhere i would want an old 911 but no desire to get back into air cooled vw's (with the exception of the beetle rat rod i am building at the minute)

the scene is full of nobs now. rich nobs at that.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: SoundillusioN on 22 June 2011, 13:44
as said above somewhere i would want an old 911 but no desire to get back into air cooled vw's (with the exception of the beetle rat rod i am building at the minute)

the scene is full of nobs now. rich nobs at that.

I've seen more of this happening with MK1 owners. I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: lewis1641 on 22 June 2011, 13:46
i am sure it does. and it will filter through all the marks. it just hit the air cooled scene hard, imo.

shows used to be really friendly and open, not any more
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Jack3559 on 22 June 2011, 14:42
My sister had a fastback and it was lovely.

It was white and was dropped over some tucked lotus style steels... perfect IMHO.

As long as you're not a snob about it, air cooled is cool, especially if you try doing something new or different.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: archie837 on 22 June 2011, 15:51
as said above somewhere i would want an old 911 but no desire to get back into air cooled vw's (with the exception of the beetle rat rod i am building at the minute)

the scene is full of nobs now. rich nobs at that.

yep full of jamie Oliver esque yuppies who have driven the price of aircooled vehicles up. Got a classic one - guy was having some welding done to his bay down the workshop (imagine a superdry clad converse wearing mid 40 something who owns a graphic design company). He turned round and said the words "yeah I just wanna get it done so I can go surfing, I don't even surf, but I just wanna get it done).

Bless em. Will go full circle though and it won't be cool to own anything like that and mk1's and 2's will be the weapon of choice for them.
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: SoundillusioN on 22 June 2011, 15:54
as said above somewhere i would want an old 911 but no desire to get back into air cooled vw's (with the exception of the beetle rat rod i am building at the minute)

the scene is full of nobs now. rich nobs at that.

yep full of jamie Oliver esque yuppies who have driven the price of aircooled vehicles up. Got a classic one - guy was having some welding done to his bay down the workshop (imagine a superdry clad converse wearing mid 40 something who owns a graphic design company). He turned round and said the words "yeah I just wanna get it done so I can go surfing, I don't even surf, but I just wanna get it done).

Bless em. Will go full circle though and it won't be cool to own anything like that and mk1's and 2's will be the weapon of choice for them.

It's already started!  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: lewis1641 on 22 June 2011, 15:58
that is the problem. they have become trendy so in a few years when they have moved onto something else the hardcore who remain are just going to look like has beens!

you are starting to see a lot of the big dollar split screens not selling on ebay.

I think people are finally coming round to the fact that a 50 year old van really isnt worth £35,000 no matter how many celebrities have pissed the bed in the back of them
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Diamond Hell on 22 June 2011, 18:33
I think people are finally coming round to the fact that a 50 year old van really isnt worth £35,000 no matter how many celebrities have pissed the bed in the back of them

and that they're f*cking uncomfortable and impractical and cold and draughty and thirsty and generally rubbish.  :grin:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 22 June 2011, 19:20
Pics like this dont help me... :smiley:

(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/xxdsl/IMG2.jpg)

though I would have got the Brightwork on straight :shocked:

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Wayne on 22 June 2011, 20:09
That is stunning but as you said the trims could be neater
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: negawsklov on 22 June 2011, 20:12
A very nice low light ghia
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Jack3559 on 22 June 2011, 22:32
Love it.  :cool:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: raferackstraw on 22 June 2011, 22:48
The only air cooled i would get is an Old 911 :D
nope unless i could afford THE ULTIMATE AIRCOOLED PORKA!  a 356
 nuff said  :drool:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Horney on 22 June 2011, 22:52
Problem with the early aircooled stuff is it isn't classic anymore, it's hit vintage status. Early Splits are 61 years old, very early bugs are 70!!!!

Splits will always fetch good money. You have a design classic, a cult following and a vehicle that can still be used for a practical purpose. Most vintage stuff like old Rollers etc only get wheeled out for the odd show whereas you see splits and bays in campsites up and down the country all year round.

Nick
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: raferackstraw on 22 June 2011, 23:00
like i said for kudos and originality a 356, they are as cool if not cooler than an E type!

END OF! NO DISCUSSION!

you lot are deluded if you think some splitty or type 2 or 911 come close  :shocked:

i understand where your coming from horney but op wants a justification, and i would only do it for  a 356
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Wayne on 22 June 2011, 23:15
like i said for kudos and originality a 356, they are as cool if not cooler than an E type!

END OF! NO DISCUSSION!

you lot are deluded if you think some splitty or type 2 or 911 come close  :shocked:

i understand where your coming from horney but op wants a justification, and i would only do it for  a 356

356's are awesome but silly money these days :smiley:
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: nige_s on 22 June 2011, 23:20
I ran a '64 Ghia as a daily for about 4 years a long time ago.  Great cars, a type 1 lump can be made to go fast for little money these days.  Problem with Ghias is rust, even if they don't have rust when you buy it it won't be long before it will.  Door window seals are crap even with good quality rubber and fitted correctly, you'll have a pond under you back seat constantly, at least that ices over during winter.

Heres mine back in the late 90s, not a low light but still an early one with smaller lights and 5 stud hubs.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Spuff_Monkey/kg1.jpg)

If you go Porsche there is no going back to VW aircooled, unless you can afford both.  Early pre-impact bumper 911s are going for big money these days, you'll be lucky to find an decent entry level T spec for less than 20k, E's are double that and S's are triple.  Later SCs and 3.2s are still attainable though but even the later ones are succumbing to rust.

To quote Risky Business - "Porsche there is no substitute"  Ditch the Golf and try either a KG or 911, you only live once.

I'm car whoring now, but who cares.

I've been lucky and on my second Porsche now:
First was a good compromise for a VW fan as its a rare but unloved 912e, it came with the VW type IV
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Spuff_Monkey/ind1.jpg)

Then got a proper one, this is a keeper:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Spuff_Monkey/P1000659-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Thom89 on 22 June 2011, 23:42
I like the fact that its all about the looks with a Ghia, my mate has one that has a full race turbo drag motor, that he uses almost daily!
A 356 Speedster would be very nice, but, you know, I really like the whole thing, that its a VW and was built for the masses... but look awesome

Eye candy
(https://secure.finishlinestudios.com/users/www_classiccarsltd_com/files/auto/vehicle/206/rfront34TOPONU.JPG)

Thom
Title: Re: Air cooled V Water Cooled
Post by: Jack3559 on 23 June 2011, 00:02
I actually think the Ghia is prettier.