Hybrid Hot Rod 2.0 - The Pria Ghia

[freebeard]

Here's a Superbeetle that's had the MacPherson struts replaced by rocker arms.



Given the location of your drive train, longitudinal coilovers might work out.

[Pyre99]

Can't wait to see how the 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia turns out. Nice company for your Prius!

[freebeard]

I hadn't noticed the year. 1971 was great:

Type I: first year for 2 models, the Standard and the Superbeetle
Type II: Last year for the Type I engine and first year for disk brakes
Ghia: last year for the original bumpers. The Type 34 was already gone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Karmann_Ghia

Genesis
Three companies and numerous individuals came together in the history of the Karmann Ghia. In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was producing its Volkswagen Beetle, and as post-war standards of living increased, executives at Volkswagen were at least receptive adding a halo model to its range, if not proactive. Luigi Segre was committed to expanding the international reputation of Carrozzeria Ghia. And Wilhelm Karmann had overtaken his family coachbuilding firm Karmann and was eager to augment his contracts building Volkswagen's convertible models.
....
Furthermore, the design bore striking styling similarities to Virgil Exner's Chrysler d'Elegance and K-310 concepts, which Ghia had been tasked with prototyping — and which in turn reflected numerous cues and themes developed previously by Mario Boano.[5] According to Virgil Exner's son, Virgil M. Exner Jr., Giovanni Savonuzzi was tasked with scaling down the full-sized d’Elegance, replacing "the Chrysler’s egg-crate grille with a gentle, boat-like prow.[11] Exner Jr. is further quoted as saying that the Karmann Ghia “was a direct, intentional swipe off the Chrysler d’Elegance. Givanni Savonuzzi was the engineer and designer who downsized the d’Elegance and made the Karmann Ghia out of it. Nobody minded it. It was wonderful.”[7]

[Hoopie]

Overview of the Pria Ghia Project. Still running the tape measure. Need to be sure I can make it all hide under the Ghia before I dive in.

[Hoopie]

[freebeard]

Which rear suspension are you going to use? The Prius wheelbase should be 106" and the Ghia is 94.5".

Will you cut the Ghia floorpan shape out of the Prius floor, or shorten the Prius underbody?

[Hoopie]

At this point I plan on the chassis and suspension being all Prius. I will need to shorten the wheelbase 11” I believe that section will come out of the rear passengers floorboards. Still measuring before I start cutting. There will be no Ghia suspension at all. I plan on using it for a buggy or sell it.

[Hoopie]

https://youtu.be/4zBzRipbs-0

[freebeard]

Thanks. If you have the black Y-spoke alloys under those hubcaps, I think they would look good on the Pria Plastidipped Gold or something.

[Piotrsko]

Do priaa have a pan or are they unibody?

Obviously you know that ghia's are bugs with fancy body?