How would you build this?

I agree the diagonal c-pillar looks bizarre without the roofline to match. I'd ditch that.

Since this is a fantasy build, I would try to incorporate the roof and rear glass from a type 34 ghia - sliding it back to shooting brake position.

If I ever win the lottery, I won't tell anyone, but there will be signs.

I want to create "phantoms" - vehicles that never existed, never built by manufacturers, but easily could have been, just by using existing parts and mixing and matching.

Muscle car station wagons, Bronco pickups, roadster sedans, you name it.

I like that enough that I would be perfectly happy to discuss the non-idealities with anyone that cared to point them out at a car show.  "Interesting observations my good Sir,  could you perhaps show me what you built?"

Pretty sure whatever AI designed it knows the answer to the rear window question. It looks quite buildable if you have a spare KG kicking around and no fear.  Chassis selection would be the first thing to land on as you would be going for something RWD and wide track. Gonna guess Miata is the answer to that or maybe a 3 series BMW.

In reply to earlybroncoguy1 :

The VolksVolvo: 

NOHOME said:

I like that enough that I would be perfectly happy to discuss the non-idealities with anyone that cared to point them out at a car show.  "Interesting observations my good Sir,  could you perhaps show me what you built?"

Pretty sure whatever AI designed it knows the answer to the rear window question. It looks quite buildable if you have a spare KG kicking around and no fear.  Chassis selection would be the first thing to land on as you would be going for something RWD and wide track. Gonna guess Miata is the answer to that or maybe a 3 series BMW.

The rear window sure looks like the front windshield except that the rear one doesn't rise up on the bottom center to clear the hood. If you ground the bottom corners into a nice curve it would work although it would be a little shorter. I have read about people who would reshape front windshields using a belt sander and a lot of belts. Think chopped top customs.

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

The rake angle of the rear window is pretty significantly different than the front windshield on a real Ghia.  But in the picture, they appear similar (because the rear roofline is pushed back and squared up).

This means that the front window frame would be easier to use than the rear. All the flanges on the rear would be the wrong angle.  It likely also means the rear window would be the wrong curve once you roll it up into the different rake angle.

So, I think the idea of 2 windshields (and their associated window frames and rooflines) may be better. 
 

Other than the weld you'd have to put directly in the middle of the roof... 🤔

It would be nice if you could use the long flat roof from a Bus or Type 3, but it's the wrong shape. The rear corners are too square, and the C pillar is wrong. 

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

If you need to modify a windshield, go find a tombstone maker and ask where he gets the tape that they use to engrave the stones. You put the tape around the perimeter leaving or creating the cut line and hit it with the sandblaster. Maybe they will even do the job for you cause you know "Cash". ;)

Quick Google search finds this supplier of monument making supplies

https://www.milessupply.com/product-category/sandblasting/stencil-supplies/

In reply to SV reX :

You would do best to take the whole front cowl section from the donor car to make it easier to mount that windshield to the rear of your next project car. 

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

Yep

Wish I new how to use and could afford Photoshop. 

The entire roof from an 1800 ES, to scale. 96" Volvo wheelbase vs 94.5" Ghia.

How about a Ghia 442 fast back?

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

Nothing wrong with it, but it's a totally different look. It's very squared off. What caught my eye with the Ghia is how creatively and subtly they used the curves. 
 

Different strokes....

Cut out the roof and windshield off of a second Ghia and graft it onto the back end. Then fill in the rest using an English Wheel. Something like this.

Cut the roof off behind the peak of the arch and move it back a couple feet and fill in the gap. 

How would I build it?