Will it Run? 1967 VW Karmann Ghia - FIRST START IN 20 YEARS!!!

Watch as we try to bring life back to this this 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia that has been sitting for 20 years!
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[@nbroca5575]

My '67 convertible (bought fo3 $300.00 in January '76 and covered by 2 feet of snow) was a very lovable car that I enjoyed for three years. The very first day the the temperature got to 45 degrees in Boston the top was down and I felt like the king of the world...

[@TheParvTubeShow]

The best part was Mr. Alexander laughing continuously during the Ghia drive!!! His laugh is contagious!!

[@mundo_analogico]

So one of our cars clutch decided to stop working a few blocks from the house. Somehow I was able to invoke the greatness of this “driving tutorial” and sure enough I was able to save us a tow and made it home. So thank you very much !

[@VWLifeVW]

That is awesome!

[@OhhState]

Your laughs as you pull out of the drive just made me laugh. :) How a Karmann Ghia with no clutch, no brakes, no door latches can make someone that happy, (as a super beetle owner) I COMPLETELY understand. Thanks for the information on getting one of these started.

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@scarrollnz]

Awesome episode for people cranking an unknown engine for the first time. Awesome as always guys!

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@ekimp252]

Y’all’s laughter on the maiden voyage made my day! Go VW Lifers!

[@EmanDeluxeVLOGS]

Same comment I was going to make. Awesome time guys! Really enjoyed👍

[@tonypeters8298]

@@EmanDeluxeVLOGS a mixture of girly giggles and sheer panic. Haven't laughed so hard in ages, love it.

[@EmanDeluxeVLOGS]

@@tonypeters8298 absolutely 💯

[@DEEZEEMTB]

Love it that he was still wearing the headlight while driving 👍😁

[@VWLifeVW]

he has it on , more than he has it off :)

[@volch1]

This is by far my favorite video you guys have done! 😆

[@mr.e695]

I Love the smell of Karmann Ghia in the morning ... ... ... Smells like ... ... ... Victory, ya know

[@nbroca5575]

When I bought the car there was a book (under the driver's seat) "How to keep your Volkswagen alive, the manual for the perfect idiot" or something like that and I opened and couldn't put down until I was finished. Then I STARTED WORKING in my new, 9 year old, car and kept it purring ever since. What a pleasure of a car!

[@VWLifeVW]

wow ! post a picture of it on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/

[@nbroca5575]

@@VWLifeVW I think I have one of me repairing the convertible top on a sunny day after a big snow. I'll find it and post it for you.

[@gilbertnowak5770]

You guys remind me of a couple of kids with a NEW TOY! My 73 Ghia has the SAME problem with the doors. They have the driver EJECT and the OPTIONAL Passenger EJECT DOORS! I had the same issue with the clucth and brakes too. I had the SAME ride you guys had. WHAT A BLAST THAT WAS.

[@VWLifeVW]

Oh wow!

[@gilbertnowak5770]

@@VWLifeVWOh I forgot to mention I drove my car home 8 miles like that. Last summer.

[@darrencoyle3290]

You Guys just made my day.. I enjoyed your madian journey with no brakes..

[@VWLifeVW]

ha ha thanks! :)

[@jillianvanliew]

That was the BEST VW Life video yet!!! Just about peed my pants laughing!! Those are the days when you know you love those Volkswagens!! I've been a part of those crazy antics with an old VWs with no brakes, clutch or working doors. Seems very similar, if not a dead ringer for the Karmann Ghia I learned to drive stick on! The memories of my childhood in a an old VW was me saying exactly what Matt Jackson said when he jumped into that Ghia...the thoughts of excited and yet nervous anticipation...and I loved it.

[@VWLifeVW]

ha ha thanks Jillian! :) nervous was right

[@VochoTalacha]

Hahahah that no-brake drive was hilarious! Good job onngetting that engine to run! Hey I'd like to share with you the 2-step valve adjustment procedure I do: - I align the engine to TDC at cyl #1 - Pop the 2 valve covers off - I adjust both valves for cyl 1, intake for #2 and exhaust of #4 then 1 full engine turn by hand and adjust all remaining valves: - both for cyl 3, intake of cyl 4 and exhaust of #2 Try it out, it's very convenient and you do a really fast valve adjustment

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks for the tips!

[@mattfaust4448]

Ive never though of doing in in combination! Thats a great idea I will try next oil change!

[@mr.e695]

Yeah I twisted that doohickey on the thingamajig til that baby fired up, then I floored to where I was going, so I TOTALLY get ya Brother 😂🤣😂

[@slimpickins3425]

My Aunt and Uncle gave it a thumbs up! I like the process, but the best was Gary and Matt Jackson laughing there asses off driving without brakes! Another fun episode!! Happy New Year to the whole crew there!

[@mattfaust4448]

1st rides are the BEST days, and you guys are doing a awesome job in taking time to explain the basics for new people to the aircooled scene. If your ever in Tn, be sure to look us up

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@kennysato2371]

Great content for learning. I have a 69 bug myself. Love how you guys ask questions and write things down. Explaining is well done too. Thank you!

[@VWLifeVW]

that was all tommieB! :) thanks post a picture of your 69 on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/

[@philipdriss6999]

Hahahah. I tried to drive my 1972 s beetle when my clutch cable broke off on the road. I started engine on second gear and drove 25km to the mechanic service 😁 Another time was the throttle cable broke off again. And put a matchstick box on to the carburator latch for throttle. 😆 VW's are fun 👍 I missed my toy.

[@VWLifeVW]

Nice work!

[@blake9960]

Got my VW Life Bug stickers in the mail! They look awesome! Thank you guys

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you like them!

[@GarageTimeTV]

This was an awesome, clear cut method to do any cold start on any unknown engine. It can apply to most makes, not just VW's. Definitely a great video as usual guys ;)

[@VWLifeVW]

Great point!

[@wesleyalan9179]

That was just too much fun! Haha! Thanks for the adventure, guys!✌

[@VWLifeVW]

glad you liked it Wes!

[@jamesvw]

Really enjoyed that! Thanks and have a great weekend VW Life guys. James

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@НиколайАнтонов-я8е]

This makes me want a Ghia now.

[@Kermoedi77]

I love seeing your enthusiasm and energy in your videos. It's a joy to watch you work.

[@VWLifeVW]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@johnnewcomb1128]

You guys were quite organized and had a game plan til it was running. I love the way it evolved or de-evolved to a level of pure joy. Thanks for another great video!

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah it went down hill quickly !

[@kennethswain6313]

Basic to the basics! Very helpful to be reminded on how to check if a car has sat. Valve and timing critical. Havin a VW is fun esp with friends

[@VWLifeVW]

exactly!

[@johnsaikaly]

I have a 65 Karma Ghia and I’ve been working on it for a while. It has no brakes either mine are disc brakes. Yours is in a lot better shape. I had no floor or interior all rusted out.

[@nerdymra8252]

When you turned sharply and the door opened I had a moment of shock followed by laughter. Matt Jackson does his own stunts! My friend test drove a Bug once prior to buying it, I was in the passenger seat when the car lurched and the seat track ripped out of the roted floor and I rolled into the backseat 😂.

[@VWLifeVW]

oh my! yeah seat rails and rusty pans = that kind of situation! lol

[@lolasmom210]

We stayed up waaaaaay past our bedtime to watch this & it was worth it! Was waiting to see if y’all were going to have to do the Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble foot stop lol

[@VWLifeVW]

Ha ha ha yeah

[@papachubby1951]

Can not tell you how many times I had to drive home with no clutch after ricky racing my 67 beetle down town. Throw out bearing or cable breaking. Fun times.

[@VWLifeVW]

rev matching for the win! :)

[@gottasplit5707]

Really good idea to check if the rockers are actually moving. I had an engine that cranked over and seemed fine, but the cam shaft had snapped. Took me a while to figure out why it had stopped working lol.

[@tommiesmith3369]

We made a trophy out of a cam gear that sheared a section of teeth causing no more cam action - same scenario trying for a bit to get it working to find out rockers weren’t moving - 👍🏻

[@VWLifeVW]

yep ask us how we know :)

[@bake162]

You could have lost an eye with those antics

[@skipstein744]

I also had a '67 Karman Ghia a fine VW. Have fun!

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks Skip!

[@bmh67wa]

I had a '62 with a hole in the side of the block and an exploded piston and it would still start... barely and with much effort. I drove it around the farm field one day until it finally locked up. I later put the heads on another engine without doing anything to them other than cleaning off some of the carbon and prying out a broken piston ring that had embedded into one of them. That engine ran for many more years before needing to be rebuilt. A VW doesn't die. It just gets really grumpy sometimes.

[@VWLifeVW]

wow amazing story! love hearing stuff like that

[@christianwernher9559]

40 secunds in and tears of joy in my eyes. Of course she runs!

[@VWLifeVW]

ha ha

[@glennclark4212]

Gary’s laugh 😂 quality! Really enjoyed this 1 😄

[@VWLifeVW]

ha ha yeah :)

[@austinswallow]

Awesome! "super clean" product placement reminds me of the "Truman Show", that is not allowed on UK television, indeed, the BBC does not even have any adverts - programmes run start to finish without any interruptions! Brilliant filming and so hilarious driving, great laugh on a Thursday evening! (as a Nation we are supposed to be starting the clapping again for the pandemic heroes at 8.00pm GMT - 25 minutes time as I write this). Thank you as always, greetings from the UK!

[@johnnyturbo8460]

WOOOHOOOO I got my 2 VW Life Beetle decals today!!! OOOOOH YEAH!!!!! Thanks gents. Now will you make hoodies with the VW Life Beetle design? (please) With that much "oil in it" it MAY have a leaking fuel pump, leaking into the crank case..

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah we smelled it and it seemed to be okay but you might be right :) glad you got the stickers

[@johnnyturbo8460]

@@VWLifeVW 🤟😁👍

[@danw1030]

Congratulations! I've got a 72 bug that has been sitting in one garage or another since 1989. Working towards starting it. Have the carbs rebuilt. Just need to plumb up the fuel pump and see if she'll go.

[@VWLifeVW]

facebook.com/VWLifeVW/. Post a comment if it on our Facebook page!

[@pattysmith4991]

Wow - a lot of great info, a nice clean up with the first wash and a near death experience. What more can you ask for? Great video guys! Thanks

[@VWLifeVW]

we covered all the bases! :)

[@VWJawbreaker]

Laughter at the end was worth the work. Good job guys.

[@timewilltell454]

Great video VW life! Greetings from the great state of Michigan, the cool blue north. Just subscribed keep up the good work.

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks for the sub!

[@mayinnlin1879]

Thank you so very much for sharing! Hahahaaaaaaa! You guys are so funny. Hahahaaaa! Great job everyone. Love it. 👍😍👏

[@VWLifeVW]

Thank you so much 😁

[@johnfreeman1189]

So... I'm watching a group of men working on a vw. And yet... I can't think of anything on tv more interesting! EPIC guys, you made my day. (0\_/0)

[@rundoetx]

Loving the sound of that air cooled beauty. Thanks

[@VWLifeVW]

right!@?

[@Olddeadleadfoot]

L633 blue. Beautiful original color.

[@kavanghia6908]

Working on my 69 ghia! Hope it will run again. See you on the road 👍

[@VWLifeVW]

Sounds great!

[@VWLifeVW]

post a picture of it on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/

[@aikenbrentkrahmer2275]

Obviously Gary and Jake are living in a pretty relaxed neighbourhood ;)

[@SaulTNutts-no6js]

Great video! Tommie's "Luftkühler" - hoodie is awesome!

[@VWLifeVW]

yes he's a cool dude :)

[@SaulTNutts-no6js]

@@VWLifeVW 😉👍

[@oldtanker4860]

Outstanding video gents. The cackling during the drive with no clutch or brakes, true suicide squad stuff there. I love the looks of the ghia myself. Bugs are neat but the ghia really makes my interest peak for me.

[@VWLifeVW]

Ha ha ha thanks!

[@oldtanker4860]

@@VWLifeVW I assume it's now long gone to a new owner.

[@VWLifeVW]

@@oldtanker4860 it is

[@oldtanker4860]

@@VWLifeVW Rats, sigh.

[@salvadoravila9095]

That's what dreams are made of. You guys rock. God bless

[@hanknipper3921]

Man little dude that brought back memories

[@MakinEndsMeet69]

Hi guys, that thing may have not been started in 20 years or had a bath in 20 years but it looks like it was just rebuilt right before they parked it that's the cleanest looking internally I have seen any Volkswagen motor that was parked for that long. You know guys I lived in Katy Texas and built custom homes for over 20 years there. Karmann Ghia are one of my most favorite Volkswagens of all. Anyway guys I'm sure enjoying the video keep up the great work

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks Joseph!

[@hdofu]

Ahh the Karma Ghia, The Beetle's suave dressed sibling

[@MrRobert1603]

Check them fins for critters! Or she will overheat, but you know that already , vw guys..... well done and good luck!

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah we'd want to pull it apart and reseal it before taking it on any real trip

[@NormT2a]

First car in 96 was a 69 Ghia. Its a keeper. 👍🏻🤙🏻If not, I ll take it

[@joelpollock6282]

You guys are a hoot. I love you

[@VWLifeVW]

Thank you Joel!

[@tommiesmith3369]

Joel is the Best!!!

[@stevelozano9523]

The driving part was hilarious and glad you guys had a fun time.🤣🤣🤣

[@VWLifeVW]

so much fun!

[@Beetle1964]

Great video again! And the part with driving without brakes gave me flashbacks 😅 and laughter 😁🤣 And good to see this Ghia gets saved 👍🏻

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@susangibbs4588]

Matt Jackson: "we got no brakes?" 🤣🤣🤣

[@VWLifeVW]

we could have died!

[@mosertransport7231]

Y’all are hilarious!! Great work!!

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mosertransport7231]

@@VWLifeVW I rescued a vw thing about 3 months back. Had to do pretty much what y’all had to do

[@VWLifeVW]

@@mosertransport7231 post a picture of it on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/

[@dennisc.1189]

Frankenstein team did it once again, it lives.

[@giovannigallana3708]

You guys are INSANE!!! :D good job!

[@VWLifeVW]

yes we are

[@michaelterhune40]

Made my day. Gary your laugh is great! Have you put a price on it yet?

[@modotvideo]

nice job long live the Ghia

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks!

[@branchsnapper2228]

My dream car right there

[@VWLifeVW]

it's a pretty cool one!

[@charleslawrence7194]

Good to see the crew working again. I'm anxious to get the bus up and running...maybe I should drag the 914 down to you. I don't see how anybody could work on ith without dropping the engine. Compartment is tight spaced. Keep it coming ya'll. Good stuff. The bus does have brakes. It will also have a new VW Life sticker soon.

[@philippedufour4566]

Great job guys. Hi from France.

[@VWLifeVW]

Hey, thanks!

[@OneManMining]

This is the information I’m looking for in a video 👍🏼 nice job fellas

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carlbarton772]

Mat Jackson, gets brave points from the UK.......

[@carlbarton772]

Made us laugh he secured the camera before himself as the door opened.

[@tommiesmith3369]

#priorities

[@carlbarton772]

@@tommiesmith3369 vwlife insurance and mats face at that moment has to be some merch

[@actualsurfer]

Great tutorial...and y'all are crazy!

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garrittriley1844]

Amazing video , glad to hear it’s running

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@nigelwebb3197]

I hate all this 'WILL IT RUN' Click bait bull... you guys are so, so SO much better than that. Just make it go and let us sit back in awe :)

[@VWLifeVW]

it's fun to see if an old car will start, that's been the case even before we started making videos of it happen. also we are trying to make it a learning opportunity :) didn't you see the white board?

[@tommiesmith3369]

Next time we should state “It WILL run!!” No matter what we got skills to pull that off 😎😎😎😎😎😎👍🏻

[@nigelwebb3197]

@@VWLifeVW Oh I know... Its a real buzz. Sorry I came across negative, there are so many 'will it run videos' and they always run. But hey, what do I know? I don't have a great channel looking for bigger following. Keep doing what you're doing with great content and ignore me :)

[@VWLifeVW]

@@nigelwebb3197 ah we get it! we know the "will it run" videos are kind of over done and clickbaity :) but hey we are looking to grow to 1 millions subs one day and could use all the help we can get

[@johnmonreal3639]

OMG. 1st great video, learnt a lot. 2nd - hilarious maiden drive / made my day. Lol.

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jongover4901]

Nice job boys!

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@r.a.mancillas812]

Yes!

[@solstar4778]

Well you did get your exercise pushing it !

[@Weisserdau]

2 thumbs up!!! Karmann Ghia is the tops!!

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks David!

[@marcvanderpoelen5210]

I so want one of those ghia's !

[@nathanyoung4162]

Hey why not, send it.You could call it the "white knuckler",that was a blast

[@VWLifeVW]

that would be fitting!

[@crackpotts5347]

I was giggling right along with ya'll!! #VWLife BABEEE!

[@deanrobinson3717]

Excellent, I would have it off you but I’m in the uk so a bit far with the trailer

[@KSFWG]

For $100 U.S. Dollars Gary will drive it there, but can't promise anything about the brakes. ;) lol

[@deanrobinson3717]

@@KSFWG 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@GoodOldMike]

Nice job guys!

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@footballgeorgiebest]

‘ No brakes in 21 ‘ bumper sticker coming soon... 🤣

[@flypawels]

Looks like a fun.

[@johnramsell1109]

Very interesting video and very funny lads well done

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@iraforleiter7954]

Looked like the clown car at a circus - You guys are amazing - when it comes to down to QUALITY fun it comes down to VW LIFE!

[@VWLifeVW]

definitely a bunch of clowns!

[@benkanobe7500]

It looks new inside!!!! (the heads at least)

[@nbroca5575]

Must be a very early '67 as it doesn't have the back up lights that came standard that year.

[@adambohanan6036]

Holy cow that was awesome! You guys rock!

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks :)

[@dannielson3935]

On the fuel solenoid, there is a screw which disables the solenoid. no need to cut off the plunger.

[@VWLifeVW]

really!? crazy thanks for sharing

[@NielsAllround]

great video guys!

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@baktibravo3066]

great job, men........

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@picco5765]

Never heard Old Man laugh so much!🤣

[@antoniorivera6187]

That was awesome you got it to run 👍🏻great video stay safe guys

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks, you too!

[@vitalyj8364]

Nice video always like will it run

[@yoshinoyajones8924]

I found that stuff a year or so ago and I never suggested it because ur in Texas. (didnt know if theyd have it there) It is AWESOME!!!!! my 70' adventure wagon is Spotless! and if mad martin is ever available to talk about his lowered yellow bay. Please have him contact me if time permits. I got Questions!! Thanks love the vids!!

[@VWLifeVW]

hey thanks! for Martin, pretty simple he bought the slam a bay kit from WagensWest

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Thanks guys... thought that I was 16 again :)

[@VWLifeVW]

you are 16 again! :)

[@johnnycarpenter1744]

Man I am so jealous I have been looking for a ghia

[@johnnycarpenter1744]

Hey guys check out my bus i have been working on tho . Thanks for the inspiration it's keeping me going

[@zimms-world]

Tommie B is the man with the tech tips