VW Karmann Ghia
VW Karmann Ghia - Over 10,000 Classic, Collector and Current Cars and Trucks at RemarkableCars.com
VW Karmann Ghia
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1970 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Convertible Coupe RM Auctions Location: Amelia Island, Florida |
Auction Results March, 2009 | $13,200 |
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1968 Karmann Ghia Convertible Hickory Corners, Michigan |
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1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe 2005 Masters Ultimate Car Show in Knoxville, Tennessee |
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1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe 2005 Springfield Ohio Swap Meet & Car Show |
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Karmann Ghia 2006 World Of Wheels Car Show in Atlanta, Georgia |
- 1962 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible $25,000 2008 Barrett-Jackson Auction Scottsdale AZ
- 1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe
- 1957 Karmann Ghia Hardtop Custom $19,000 2008 Barrett-Jackson Auction Scottsdale AZ
Introduced in 1955, the Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia was a very interesting German-Italian joint effort, with a significant American connection. Dr. Wilhelm Karmann, whose firm was busy building the cabriolet variant of the Beetle, submitted design proposals for a sporty coupe to VW, which were ignored. Meanwhile, Mario Boano and Luigi Segre of Italy’s Carrozzeria Ghia had proposed some styling enhancements to VW, which were also ignored. Undeterred, Karmann now approached Ghia directly. Using a new Beetle that Boano’s son had recently purchased, Ghia developed a new body that mounted directly to the Beetle’s basic platform chassis. The prototype was shipped to Karmann in late 1953, and this time, VW chief Heinz Nordhoff was quite impressed.
In contrast to the Beetle, the new coupe bodywork was slightly wider and featured a lower roofline with fashionably thin rear roof pillars, as well as an extended lower-body crease that blended into the slightly bulged rear fenders. These same features had previously appeared on the Chrysler-Ghia D’Elegance concept car of 1953, with styling directed by Virgil Exner. Released to the public in 1955, the Karmann-Ghia was an immediate hit, and demand far surpassed its creators’ expectations. When production finally ceased at Karmann’s Osnabrück plant in July 1974, a staggering 283,501 coupes and 80,897 convertibles had been produced.
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VW Karmann Ghia - Over 10,000 Classic, Collector and Current Cars and Trucks at RemarkableCars.com
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