A Thing I Didn’t Even Know Existed

"Future Heap Owner" (aperiodic) 05/11/2019 at 02:46 • Filed to: The man who is clueless about automobile models, Dots, Portland, Karmann Ghia, Volkswagen

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I had no idea VW made a convertible that wasn’t a beetle. This is quite fetching.

Also, that makes *three* old European two-seat roadsters with round-headlights that have shown up in my neighborhood in the last couple of weeks. This is a sign, right? It must be a sign. Excuse me while I go sell my organs.

MrDakka > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 03:02

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As I’m heavily prejudiced against convertibles, since they are the redneck hillbilly versions of their coupe counterparts, I much prefer this version of the Karmann Ghia.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 03:06

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Karmann Ghia. It’s pretty much a Beetle under the skin. Came in both coupe and convertible form. Was sold from 1956 to 1974. VW sold tons of these and a lot are still on the road because parts are readily available. It’s a pretty popular summer car all over the US. I always see them pop up out of storage along with lots of Fiat 124s this time of year. FWIW it is really more of a 2+2 than a roadster. That one either had it’s ti ny rear seat removed or is one of the last few model years that came from the factory without it when the US mandated seatbelts and VW decided it was easier to just not have a rear seat than to add belts to it.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 06:31

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Karmann Ghia! Nice old cars! Expensive to do bodywork on though as the body is one large piece, no removable quarters anywhere!

dumpsterfire! > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/11/2019 at 08:25

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mild understatement.

dumpsterfire! > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 08:31

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that’s a nice one. it’s newer 72-74 from the bigger, uglier bumpers. the older bumpers really show some more stylish Italian 60s design.

Chuckles > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 08:48

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My boss has a Karmann Ghia coupe. She drives it to work a few times a year. She also has a VW bus that makes an occasional appearance.

ranwhenparked > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 08:56

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I miss the era when you could buy a handmade, coachbuilt sports car with sexy Italian design for Volkswagen money. They might have been rust buckets, but Karmann Ghias were great value new.

Also, it was only the US market versions from the early 70s and up that were 2 seaters, older than that and other markets were 2+2, which is even better. 

shop-teacher > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 08:59

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I’m not much of a VW guy, but I love Karmann Ghias !

vicali > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 10:01

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That’s a fine late Ghia, although I prefer something a little earlier like this 61;

There are a few around still. Metalwork os their downfall, they were handmade from the Karmann factory so there are no body parts to replace. Noses are usually ‘repaired’ at some point.

Also they all suffer from heaterchannel rot like beetles, on a very that means doors sag and the car collapses. I passed up a 64 vert that was too far gone. Still sore about it 4 years later..

VW Max > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 12:00

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Another VW Thing you may not have known about

VW Max > VW Max 05/11/2019 at 12:03

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And a couple more Karmann Ghias, a European Type 34 and a Brazilian TC. I believe  both are based on the Type 3 platform.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > dumpsterfire! 05/11/2019 at 12:19

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Having de-bondoed and rebondoed one of these I concur. (all leadwork from the factory over the seams)

50ford500 > Future Heap Owner 05/11/2019 at 18:12

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I love Karmann Ghias so much. Maybe someday I can find one that isn’t rotten and doesn’t cost more than I care to spend