The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was produced between 1955 and 1974, with some 360,000 coupes and over 80,000 cabriolets made. What is certain is that it was the most beautiful car ever produced by the BeetleMeisters, what is unclear is exactly how the car was designed and conceived. Certainly the initial idea was sparked by Dr Wilhelm Karmann, who was building the Beetle cabriolet, suggested to Ghia that a beetle-based sports car could be made and presented to VW for their approval.
Several people claim a stake in the cars concept, in addition to the obvious triumvirate of VW in Wolfsburg, Karmann in Osnabruck and Ghia in Turin. What is assured however, is that this elegant design, considered by many to be way ahead of its time, holds a firm place in automotive design classics and the hearts and minds of many enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
This stunning Karmann Ghia convertible oozes 70s style. The car’s restoration was covered extensively in the August 1988 issue of the ‘Thoroughbred and Classic Cars’ Magazine. Owned by Allan Tollworthy at the time, the car’s full interior was stripped, the body was lifted from the floor-plan before the rolling chassis was blasted along with all the bodywork and the wheels.
The engine too received the full treatment, being stripped apart before being meticulously rebuilt with new cylinder heads. A new trim was adopted along with a new hood and £4,600 of new parts later, along with hundreds of man hours, the car was back to its former glory. Presented in Orange with a Black interior, this Iconic Ghia is the perfect 4-seater 70s cruiser, perfect for these hot summer months.
Auction | THOROUGHBRED & VINTAGE AT FONTWELL HOUSE September 2016 |
Auction Date | N/A |
Day of Auction | N/A |
Lot Number | 153 |
Registration Number | UK Registered |
Chassis Number | TBC |
Year | 1974 |
Make | Karmann |
Model | Ghia 595M |
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