WHAT IS IT?
The Karmann Ghia was the sporty coupe version of the Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle. It shared the Beetle’s structure, engine, and transmission, but mated them to a sportier 2+2 coupe styled by Italian design house Ghia and built by Karmann. These were expensive when new (nearly twice the price of a regular Beetle) and offered higher top speed (due more to the shorter and more aerodynamic body than any additional power). Over its long life (1955 – 1975 in various style updates), VW built more than 440,000 Karmann Ghias, so they aren’t uncommon but far rarer than the Beetle, with over 21 million produced.
WHY THIS ONE HAS “BEST ONE ON THE PLANET” CHOPS
This listing lacks some details and photos but claims to be 100% original, owned by only two families, and to have only 14,300 miles from new. It certainly isn’t spotless and sports a few spots of glue in the door seams and a few minor scars on the seats, just enough to point to a well-loved original. The pale yellow paint and dog-dish hubcaps certainly oozes period charisma. The plain original interior lacking any aftermarket stereo or other adornments also points to a car that hasn’t been abused. The engine and air cleaner appear clean and original and the spare tire even appears to be an original. There may be more perfect examples, but as the old saying goes, they are only original once.
It certainly isn’t spotless and sports a few spots of glue in the door seams and a few minor scars on the seats, just enough to point to a well-loved original.
There’s something timeless about the lines of a Karmann Ghia elegant, simple, and undeniably cool. I’ve got a soft spot for these, as it’s actually my mother’s dream car! I’ve been hunting for one myself, and this example really stands out since it doesn’t seem to need restoration unlike most I’ve come across. Fun fact: they were offered with a semi-automatic transmission. When I drove it, my foot instinctively went for a clutch that wasn’t there! This Ghia would make a great weekend cruiser and is sure to turn heads at Cars & Coffee