Here's one of the most famous Bonneville door slammers of all time, the original Larry's Old Volks Home Ghia. Actively raced on the Salt and the Dry Lakes during four decades, the car still sports all of its original Bonneville decals, going back to 1977.
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Originally built and raced by the indomitable Larry Monreal of San Bernardino, a true renaissance man, the car set over 30 Land Speed records, 11 of which are still "in the book" and have not been bested to this day.
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During the winter of 2007/8, the car was comprehensively and expertly--yet sympathetically--restored, structurally as well as cosmetically, and presents itself in excellent condition. Having last run during the 2006 season, the roll structure has been updated, making the car legal for current SCTA/BNI competition.
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A plethora of documentation accompanies the fully pedigreed VW, including two Southern California Timing Association log books, the clear California Certificate of Title, invoices for parts and labor totalling many thousands of Dollars, old photographs, and even several magazines containing features on "old number 57."
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Also part of the package is a folder full of digital photos, showing the Ghia in its element.
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The irreplaceable Bonneville Speed Week participant stickers were carefully preserved and clear-sealed during the exterior refurbishment. All the original, hand-applied lettering was painstakingly restored or replicated by Emilio Anzalone, a well-known Venice painter.
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Looking at old pictures of the Larry's Old Volks Home Karmann, you will certainly agree that the car now looks "like new" again!
Even the front and rear bumpers were replaced with brand new European units.
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Open the louvered front hood, and Larry's ingeniously designed air extractor boxes become visible. Cool!
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Perhaps incredible for a competition Ghia, the fragile "nose" section is perfectly rust and accident free. This Karmann originally wore a set of California black-and-yellow license plates, as evidenced by old registrations.
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Alrighty, the exterior looks fantastic, so what's beneath the glossy Viper Green paint?
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Ghia's cabin is as clean as its sparkling exterior. Though a full-blown race car for over 30 years, one could almost envision driving this one on public roads; it even features its original dashboard and rear view mirror!
TLG in North Hollywood replaced the pedal assembly and completely serviced front end and brake system.
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Switchgear includes push buttons for the dual fire bottles. Layout is very simple and business-like. No black boxes or computers here!
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Single racing seat, 5-point SIMPSON 3-inch racing belts, and full window net.
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Flawless door panels, excellent door bottoms. Note original hardware; factory side windows roll up and down easily. Door hinges (a Karmann Ghia weak spot), door gaps, door fit, and door function are beyond reproach.
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Fire supression system.
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Speaking of fire hazards: we removed the last remnants of the original carpeting and repainted the floor and rear area in the correct Machine Gray.
Note the all-important LSR I.D. stickers on roll structure.
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Looking good from any angle!
Car features bolt-on spun aluminum "Moon" discs on steel wheels shod with excellent, 26-inch GOODYEAR high speed tires.
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War paint lists current Land Speed Records set on the El Mirage Dry Lake and on Bonneville's Salt Flats in various classes, using a variety of VW engines.
Yes, 164.121mph equals over 260 km/h, and that's with a 1500cc VW motor! Karmann achieved a top speed of over 170mph in Bonneville, one way, and was known as "the World's Fastest Volkswagen," back in the day.
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Engine bay needed major clean up. Fresh JG Transwerks 4-speed transaxle with invoice and spec sheet is installed; a brand new 1500cc "H/blown" Type 1 engine featuring ARAO Stage 2 heads, AUTOLINEA alloy cases, German crank, SCAT rods, and ROSS pistons (induction and ignition have yet to be selected) could be included at a very reasonable price considerably below our cost, if you so desire.
Hand-formed alloy panels for engine compartment are included; they are quickly mounted with DZUS fasteners. Other parts include a custom rear motor mount, a must for racing.
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The undercarriage: a lot of time and money was spent--today, the Larry's Old Volks Home VW looks as good underneath as it does on top.
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Floor pans, heater channels, inner and outer door sills, and longitudinals are absolutely perfect, thanks to quite a few brand new metal stampings obtained from AIRHEAD Parts here in Ventura, and Porsche 356-legend Joe George's expert welding skills. We took "before and after" photos detailing the unbelievable amount of work that was needed to expertly restore the VW's salt-worn belly.
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Karmann's first car show, the Highway One Treffen X at the Ventura Harbor, spring of 2008.
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The Bonneville Karmann Ghia comes with two sets of hoods and trunk lids as well as some miscellaneous parts not shown here.
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Land Speed Racing, car shows, private collection, museum, vintage events, or even occasional blasts on the street: it's all up to the car's new caretaker. Remember, we never really own a historically significant car like the fabulous Larry's Old Volks Home Karmann, we are only its temporary custodians.
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It has been our pleasure to re-establish the legendary car's former glory; were it not for our present effort in Bonneville's Modified Roadster class, we would gladly take our place behind the Ghia's volant again--this altogether untemperamental, very successful race car has been oodles of fun!
Addendum:
We sold this amazing car in October 2008 to a collector in England.
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