Ride Details
Engine Details
Chassis Details
Paint Details
Interior Details
“Lemonhead”
The 1974 VW Karmann Ghia is a unique classic car that has won the hearts of car enthusiasts all over the world. Owner Keith Molenda decided to take on the challenge of building his own 1974 Karmann Ghia after getting bored with the hot rod scene in Minnesota. After attending a VW show and noticing that only three Ghia’s were present, Keith made the decision to build his own.
The original cost of Keith’s 1974 VW Karmann Ghia was only $4,000, but the build cost quickly rose to $12,000 as he made major improvements to the car every year as his budget allowed. Keith has been into cars his entire life, starting with BMX bikes and then eventually moving on to VW’s and other car genres. However, it wasn’t until his late 20’s when he had the funds to blow on cars that he got serious about building them.
Keith’s Ghia has received recognition from the Freaks of Nature North Carolina Chapter, a car club that he is a member of. His future plans for the car include a new paint job and changing up the wheel/tire setup. He’s happy with the little car and describes it as a better runner than he is a driver.
The vehicle history of Keith’s Ghia is an interesting one. He found the car sitting in a rickety old garage with the door half-opened in St. Paul. After making a deal with the seller, Keith towed it home and did a tune-up to get it running again. Originally, he planned to restore the car, but soon found himself making modifications to it and improving its performance.
The Ghia features a full flow header and open stinger engine add-ons, Monroe shocks in the front and rear, spring plates, dual Viair compressors, and old school valves. The chassis has a Fabshop 104 dual bag beam in the front. The interior features Sewfine and other handmade accents, while the paint and graphics details are not specified.
Keith’s Ghia is a testament to the passion and dedication that car enthusiasts have for their vehicles. The time, effort, and money that he has invested in the car have resulted in a unique and personalized vehicle that stands out from the crowd. The Karmann Ghia will always be a classic car that will continue to inspire future generations of car enthusiasts.
Owned by: Keith Molenda
Photos by: Chris Gosda
