Any Karmann Ghia Fans?.......

[Stanley Steamer]

I always thought these little cars were ugly......but looking at restored ones has me rethinking that....

My Wife's Grandpa bought this one brand new in 1964 and only drove it about 4 miles round trip to UGA where he was a chemistry professor...original mileage of 34,867 miles..

I met Abby in Dec. of 1990 and that was the last year he bought a new tag for it.....it sat in his garage until 2001 when my Paw-in-law put brand new tires on it and towed it to his garage where it sat until this morning....10 more years....

My Cousin and Uncle asked me about it and they came this morning to check it out to see if they could buy it and take it home with them.....only a couple of small issues with it, so they snapped it up at the asking price of $3,000......restored ones are going for $15,000-20,000+........and my cousin sent me a camera video of them cranking the engine after they put fresh gas and a new battery in it.....SWEEEEET was his response.....














The back passenger side wheel was locked down where the brake shoes were rusted to the drum...they were going to break it loose, but it was stubborn......we ended up jacking the back end up with a floor jack and pushing it up onto a car trailer.....good thing it only weighed around 1,850lbs...... ....all 4 of us were able to push it on the trailer and they took it home......

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Lucky 13's Mom had a yellow with black strips for many years I always loved that car...You are correct they bring a pretty penny nowadays. Check out the VW buses with the windows all the way around the top . I've seen them go on flea-bay with so much rust you could throw a cat through it and still bring $10,000 plus  

[Oss]

all I can say is if you are driving one in the summer without shoes on watch out for that metal thing on the floor on the left

dont ask how I know it is red hot

[Gear Jammer]

My first car was a '65 Ghia.  Lotsa memories, not all good 

[Thunderbolt]

Watch out for the lever up and to the right of the gas pedal, it's the petcock so to speak.  If you kick it and it gets in the wrong spot in between on and reserve you will run out of gas for no reason.  Ask me how I know that. 

[Gear Jammer]

Watch out for the lever up and to the right of the gas pedal, it's the petcock so to speak.  If you kick it and it gets in the wrong spot in between on and reserve you will run out of gas for no reason.  Ask me how I know that. 

One of those "memories" to which I was referring 

[Big IV]

Friends had them over the years. I always thought I might wind up with one but the prices have sky rocketed in past years. 'Spouse I won't now but that's fine too. They are cute little cars.

[highcountry]

My buddy had one when we were in HS in the 60s.  I recall that it was uncomfortable with low headroom.

[Michael K (Az.)]

The very first car I drove! Neighbor fella took me to a parking lot at nite and showed me how to shift. We drove around the lot w/ me going 'bucket bucket bucket' learning that pesky clutch/throttle deal! Memories!
'60 or '61 I think.

[Paxton]

Stanley;
I am insanely jealous! Great find! Sweeet is an understatement!

I've owned three beautiful ones (1963, 66 and 67). Yours appears to be a 66. 1966 was the last year of the 6-Volt-system and first year Fuel gauge(?).
I forgot most details.

Here is one of mine… gone since ’97.  :'(  https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/InfanciaSiJuguetesNo?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyDpcuVuOKKcA#5074578359484698626

TIPS: (I.e. More Unsolicited Opinions)
The engine looks complete, clean and undisturbed. Keep it that way!
Unless your local upholsterer can duplicate it, buy the OEM Upholstery and carpeting on line.
To achieve top value the nose must be pristine (untouched)... and laser straight.
Do not change the stock color even if you don't like it. That too would lessen its collector's value.
Use the correct-color-code.

For the time being, wash it with soft scrub to remove paint surface oxidation. Then mix 1 qt. New Motor Oil w/-one-gal Diesel.

Cover the entire car with the it. Use a tooth brush to get the mix in every metal cavity (outside).
To remove it you'd have to wash the car at least twice with heavy dish-soap foam.

The bumpers on this 1971 (on CL) are most likely retrofits. The front signal light and huge rear lenses fixtures reveal its later vintage.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/2585220343.html

As with many classic vehicles, the older the Ghia vintage, the higher its value.

In my book the 66 and early-production 67 (low-back bucket seats; no headrest) is the best to own.
Once mechanically sound,
you can drive it 200K miles w/o worries, except up-to-date maintenance.
Overall, it is easier to work on it than on the Valkyrie... way simpler...

After 69 they started goin' south, especially with square bumpers and high-back seats.
Eventually, in 1979 Smog requirements forced the VW flat engine out of the US Market.

If you want more power and speed, the stock best replacement engine would be (1971-74) 1600cc dual port heads (German Parts);
mated to a "Freeway-Flyer" transmission. You might upgrade to a Zenith 2-bbl carburetor or Kadron Duals...
Install a remote oil cooler behind the shroud.

Do not buy reproduction bumpers or trim. Have yours chromed. Coca-Cola will help remove the oxidation from all chrome.

If you do change engine or transmission, save the current ones for numbers matching.  Best to keep ALL removed parts intact for value retention.
Front Disk Brakes is a common upgrade.

ANY custom-metal cuts ANYWHERE would be frowned upon at the glorious heavens of  Ghiadom!

Great find. I love it. Good luck.

“Do you want the truth?
Which one… How much of it?”
Me.

[/i]

[solo1]

I always like the Karminn Ghia VW.  I was a VW mechanic in the early sixties and they wern't too common in Indiana then.

The dealer owner had a pure white convertible with leather seats and we installed aftermarket air conditioning on it. 

One of the mechanics had one also and we went to lunch in the Ghia.  It was tough getting four of us in it but we did. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

it is impossible to have sex in the back seat,,,

[rmrc51]

From what I can see of the car, you got a GREAT deal for $3,000.00. I always liked those Ghia's!! 

[Al in AK]

Very nice project car...........
My brother had one in the seventies but went and sold it when I was out of state one year. I really wanted that car. Not the Ghia, but here is the wifes 76' bug that we have had since 86'.

[Gear Jammer]

it is impossible to have sex in the back seat,,,

 

[Jess from VA]

it is impossible to have sex in the back seat,,,

Not if you're both four feet tall. 

Ghia was my first car, and it was damn near impossible in the front seat(s) too.   

But when you're 16 you try harder. 

[Paxton]

"KARMANN," in Osnabrück, Germany was until 2009 the largest independent motor vehicle manufacturing company in Germany. ???

All Ghias were produced by Karmann and virtually all VW-Beetle Convertibles (1949–1980); including the one pictured. 

[Al in AK]

"KARMANN," in Osnabrück, Germany was until 2009 the largest independent motor vehicle manufacturing company in Germany. ???

All Ghias were produced by Karmann and virtually all VW-Beetle Convertibles (1949–1980); including the one pictured. 

Thank's for the information. Now I know what the Karmann badge is for.

[czuch]

I've had 2 Ghias. One a 71 that was a hotrod. the other a 67 that we ralleyed.  The petcock lever went away in 63 when they put gas guages innem.
3K is a steal. I'd like another but in AZ summer it would be a cook out.