1970 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia news, pictures, and information

The Karmann Ghia is a Volkswagen powered, coach-built automobile. The first Ghia was introduced in 1956. It used the chassis, suspension and drive train from the Type 1 Beetle. The Karmann Ghia and Bug are mechanically and electrically identical from 1956 through 1974; their chassis are not interchangeable. The car was available as a coupe and cabriolet convertible. The Karmann Ghia is the only Volkswagen powered, coach-built automobile that carries the Volkswagen logo, and was officially sanctioned by Volkswagen AG.

Source - AACA Museum

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Convertible Coupe
Coachwork: Ghia
Chassis Num: 1402103869

The Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia was a German-Italian joint effort introduced in 1955. Dr. Wilhelm Karmann, whose firm was building the cabriolet version of the Beetle, submitted designs to Volkswagen in hopes of generating new business. The designs were for a new sporty coupe, which Volkswagen ignored. Around the same time, Mario Boano and Luigi Segre of Italy's Carrozzeria Ghia had proposed some styling enhancments to Volkswagen. These too were ignored. Karmann approached Ghia directly, resulting in a prototype. Using a Beetle, Ghia developed a new body that was mounted directly to the Beetle's basic platform chassis. The prototype was sent to Karmann in late 1953 and used to impress Volkswagen's chief Heinz Nordhoff.

There were slight differences to the Beetle's body; the new coupe had slightly wider bodywork and a lower roofline. There was a bulge in the rear fenders and an extended lower-body crease. Some of these design features were shown on the Chrysler-Ghia d'Elegance Concept car of 1953. In 1955, the Karmann-Ghia was a very popular vehicle and would remain in production until July of 1974 after 283,501 coupes and 80,897 convertibles had been produced.

This Karmann-Ghia is a late-production convertible that has been treated to a professional mechanical and cosmetic restoration. It is painted in red, has a white interior, and woodgrain dash and black convertible top. There are United States specification bumpers complete with override bars and the original-type ventilated steel wheels with bright hubcaps and whitewall tires.

In 2009, this Convertible was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $15,000-$20,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for $13,200, including buyer's premium.

In 1950, Karmann approached Volkswagen with a design for a new vehicle. Karmann had a working relationship with Volkswagen that went prior to this project that included the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet. The idea was initially rejected by Volkswagen so Karmann approached the coachbuilding company Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin who built the first prototype of the vehicle, completing in 1953. In November of 1953, Nordhoff, the head of Volkswagen at the time, gave approval for the vehicle to be built by his company. On July 14th in 1955, the vehicle was unveiled to the public.

There were basically three types of the Karmann-Ghia's built during its life span that included the type 14, type 34, and the TC.

The type 14 featured a round body-style that received very little modifications through its production life-span, dating from 1955 through 1974. Most of the modifications that did transpire were head and tail light modifications, bumper and side air vent changes.

During which time about 340,000 coupes and 81,000 convertibles were produced in Osnabruck Germany.

Manufacturing continued from 1962 through 1972 in Sao Bernardo do Campo in Brazil where 176 convertibles and about 23,000 coupes were produced. These type 14 models were basically unaltered for the original design except for different bumpers, taillights and vent windows.

The Type 34, or 'Razor Edge', was produced from 1961 through 1969 during which time 43,000 examples were produced. It was introduced in September of 1961 at the Frankfurt Auto show. The Type 34 were 'boxier' than their Type 14 counterparts and cost more to produce. The interior was larger and better equipped, the structure was stronger, and the engine was faster. They were built in coupe design only, however in 1962 a sunroof could be had. The engine was initially 1500cc in size but later increased to 1600cc.

The 1600 TC, which stood for Touring Coupe, was produced in Brazil from 1970 through 1975. They were based on the design of the type 34. During its lifespan, 18,000 examples were produced.

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