---->
RHD 1970-1974 Karmann
Ghia. Updated 22nd Feb 2006
Applies to Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, and other RHD countries.
Ok, here it is, the specifications for the RHD Karmann Ghia 1970-1974.
It has been very difficult to find out how Volkswagen, and Karmann made the Factory RHD Ghias. It has taken me months to track down this information, and to get the real story.
I finally purchased a factory RHD dash out of a wreck from the UK, complete with wiring harness, and gauges, etc. Cost me a bomb, but well worth the information.
Stats, about 1 in
every 15 Ghias were made as RHD, and only 1/3 Ghias
overall were ever made with Semi-Auto. So, if you have a factory RHD,
semi-auto ghia, you have a very rare car, especially in a cabriolet.
About
450,000 Ghias made from 1956 to 1974.
---->
RHD Dash.
Karmann at the factory, never really had a RHD dash. The LHD dash was cut, and sides swapped, with glove box face replaced for RHD, and all welded back into place. This was done prior to the car being painted. Hence, there is not any part numbers for the RHD dash (metal portion). This is the same methods Aussies have been doing the conversions for years, who knew, they were doing it the factory way all this time.
Speedometer Cable.
The Ghia uses the same RHD speedometer cable as the standard beetle.
Pedal Assembly:
The ghia uses the same RHD pedal assembly as the standard beetle, or Type 3. (Semi-auto, and Manual trans)
Fuse Box, Wiring harness.
The wiring harness is run on the left side of the car, just as the LHD models are, with exception of the harness is longer at the dash portion. There was a different part number for the main wiring harness on RHD Ghias. The rest of the wiring harness is the same. The Fuse box is located just to the left of the sterring colum towards the center of the car, the opposite of the LHD models.
Knee pads under dash.
The RHD Ghia was never produced with the knee pads, only US models being LHD.
Dash Pad,
Yes, there was a separate dash pad for RHD models.
Gauges:
The gauges are the same for RHD, and LHD cars. European cars were shipped with KHM speedos, which are very rare.
Brake Master Cylinder:
The Ghia uses the same master cylinder as the RHD Standard beetle, which is different from the LHD master cylinder.
Steering Gear Box.
The Steering Gear Box is the same for LHD, and RHD Beetle and Ghias. It is simply moved to the other side, and the tie rod ends swapped over.
Mirrors:
The interior mirror is the same, just turn it the other way towards the right side.
The right side of the car. (Drivers on RHD) mirror has a short neck, and the left side of the car had a long neck. (Pass on RHD). The length on the neck of the mirrors is the opposite to the US versions. The reason for the Long neck was on Convertibles, there was a blind spot when the top was down, and required just a bit longer neck on the passenger side of the car to see.
Headlights.
RHD cars have RHD headlights, so when you hit the high beams, you do not blind the oncoming traffic.
How to convert your Ghia to RHD from LHD.
You will need to purchase the following.
New main Wiring Harness for LHD. (RHD not available)
New Brake Master Cylinder for RHD Beetle.
New or Used complete RHD Pedal assembly.
New RHD standard beetle speedo cable.
New RHD glove box assembly
New RHD Dash Pad
New Drivers out side mirror. (Short neck)
New Headlinghts, Sealed beam, or H4 upgrades.
(Optional) New Pass outside mirror. (Long neck)
(Optional) Sun visors without mirror, or two with mirrors.
Custom work you will have to do.
Cut gauges panel out of LHD Dash, to be welded into Right side.
Weld in new RHD glove box assembly.
Cut hole for RHD pedal assembly.
Cut and splice in New main wiring harness, with old wiring harness to make the dash area of the wiring harness longer to reach the other side.
Cut hole in front bulkhead for master cylinder arm to reach to RHD pedal assembly. Swap around brake lines, and add custom brake line to rear of car for rear brakes.
** Notes, it is much easier to work on ghia conversions by removing the front windshield, and the fuel tank. **