Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Vehicle Description

– 1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe
– German delivery, only three owners from new
– with the current owner for 32 years, used as exhibition item
– vehicle was part of a larger VW collection
– 1.2 litre flat-four engine with 22 kW (30 hp) and manual gearbox
– red paintwork with white roof
– bi-colour leatherette interior (beige/red)
– white bakelite steering wheel, chromed bumpers, rear quarter vent windows
– original radio installed
– white wall tyres and chromed hubcaps
– German registration documents

The preparatory work for the Type 14 at Karmann in Osnabrück began in early spring of 1953. The Italian design studio Ghia was charged with the draft of a coupé based on the Beetle.
The prototype – presented at the end of 1953 – wowed the client and was also favourably accepted in Wolfsburg: The serial development of a 2 + 2-seater coupé was decided and the production of the Karmann Ghia was launched in August 1955. On the 38th IAA the Karmann Ghia Cabriolet was presented. The vehicle was produced in Osnabruck from 1st November 1957 and priced at DM 8,250.
Karmann united with this vehicle the solid engineering of the Beetle with the elegant body of Italian design. To reduce the tilty and the oversteer tendency, the Karmann Ghia was fitted from the start with a front roll stabiliser. An enlargement of the front seat area has been achieved by the wider body compared to the Beetle. The running boards were omitted.
A total of 445,000 units were built, among them 80,897 convertibles. Many of them went to the United States.

Vehicle Overview