Ghia customization, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Anything and everything goes and can make (or break) a car.  From mild 'personalization' through to a radical rework, there is little that can't be done, if customizing is the way you want to go. 

The car above was professionally built by Ghia Specialties of Seattle and goes to show what can be achieved, when it's done properly.  It's a fantastic looking early (pre '59) low-lite and has been extensively modified) - Colour is sneakily similar to mine too. Ghia Specialties currently offer many modified components, including flared fenders (wings) and are developing 'Gullwing' style doors!

custom-red-coupe1.jpg (92629 bytes)

 Customization needn't go that far. Take the red coupe on the left. More subtle than flared arches, and welded doors, the car is still expressing a little more of the owners' soul than a standard/stock machine. Below is a pillarless coupe which features in Brocks' VW Magazine and develops over 180bhp from it's Porsche 911 engine. It's very different, but quite stunning too.
One thing to remember is that however you choose to personalize or customize your car, it will only be that valuable to you - In short, don't expect anyone else to have the same affection for those Carlos Fandango wide-wheels, or luminous green paint. Always remember, only some people love jellied eels!

0301front-right1.jpg (158454 bytes)

 Although my car is far from 'custom' it's also not standard, either. The wheels and paint differ from factory specs and the interior will be an all-new Sewfine affair. Bottom line is, I like it and it's never going to be up for sale again. If you can live with the fact that you may not get back what you put in, then I think you won't go far wrong. I am returning the exhaust and heater setup back to standard though - Florida may not have much use for it, but Winter in England just might.
Another angle on customization is the retro-look. This effectively captures the spirit of the earlier Ghias, with all the advances (like 12-volt electrics) of the later models. Again, the effect is definitely non-original, but the result a lot more pleasing to most people. This can be all-important, if you are looking to sell the car in the future.
Interiors can be made to look just like the one centre-right, by using custom-made interiors from companies such as Sewfine, where just about any colour combination is possible. Sewfine use the original patterns, to make sure that all panels are factory-spec, but can be adapted to fit all years of Ghia. early-interior.jpg (41421 bytes) late-looks-like-early.jpg (47752 bytes)
Original early two-tone coupe later car with early-style colour scheme.