1972 Karmann Ghia – lovely air cooled vintage coupe with tasteful & practical modifications

Lovely vintage coupé in super condition with tasteful modifications, in superb mechanical condition, presents well inside & out – could easily be taken to any custom/classics show.

Mileage: 21,242 (indicated)
Registration: XEU528K

Highlights
● Porsche Fuchs 15” wheels
● Very original
● Tasteful and practical modifications
● Recent service and inspection
● MOT and tax exempt

First produced by Volkswagen in 1955, the Karmann Ghia is a stylish 2+2 coupe based on the chassis and drivetrain of the Beetle. Unlike the perennial people’s car, however, it was styled by Italian firm Ghia and hand-built by the German coachbuilders Karmann. So there you have the perfect combination – Italian style and German engineering!

This particular car has been comprehensively restored over the years, with tasteful and practical modifications made to the drivetrain to make it more usable and drivable in modern road conditions. With a recent service and full mechanical inspection by a VW specialist, this charming little coupé is now ready for a new owner.

Exterior

● Porsche Fuchs 15” wheels (4.5” fronts / 5.5” rears)
● Respray in Stone Grey
● New window rubbers

Although it has benefitted from a respray, which has been carried out to a good standard, the bodywork of this Ghia remains very original. After a thorough inspection by a VW specialist, we’re assured there are no signs of damage, corrosion or even repairs and welding. The original plug welds are still intact on the sills and, other than some very light surface corrosion to some elements of the underside, externally it’s in very good condition.

There are some blemishes and marks on the paintwork, and some signs of age-related wear and tear on some of the external trim, but this car wears its patina very well and is a proper head-turner. Naturally, the 15” Fuchs wheels help in this regard – they look fantastic tucked up under the car’s arches and offer a nice custom touch, as well as providing better road-holding than the original narrow steels.

Interior

● Black vinyl heated seats
● Moto-Lita steering wheel
● Period style stereo with MP3 playback
● Vintage Speed gear shifter
● Retro shelf-mounted Pioneer speakers

The cabin of the car is in good, mostly unrestored condition. The front seats have been converted to full heated items, with controls mounted to the lower dash, which is a nice touch of modernity in a vintage classic. It’s nice to see that the modifications have been kept subtle and sympathetic – a modern stereo styled to look like a period unit, a stainless shifter and Porsche-badged Moto-Lita wheel are all modifications in-keeping with the car’s style and age.

For the most part, the cabin is in very good condition and presented well. The dark grey carpets and vinyl seats / door cards are in good condition. The cream vinyl headlining is intact and shows no sign of sagging.

In the front the luggage area is carpeted out. Underneath the carpet the metal all looks good, with no signs of damage or repair. There is some light surface corrosion starting to appear here, but it appears to be purely cosmetic at the moment and is a simple fix.

Mechanicals

● Fully refurbed 1,641cc flat-four
● New brake discs and drums
● Manual 4-speed transmission
● Twin Kadron carburettors
● Vintage Speed stainless exhaust
● Subtly lowered front and rear

One of the few issues with the Karmann Ghia is that, as it was based on a Beetle drivetrain, it never went as well as it looked. Well that has been addressed with this car. The engine has been bored out, fully refurbed and fitted with twin Kadron carbs and a Vintage Speed stainless exhaust to really let it sing.

Extensive mechanical work and inspections have been undertaken to make sure this Ghia is running as well as possible, and it really shows. It sounds great, and idles nicely. The engine bay itself is extremely clean and tidy, with no signs whatsoever of any leaks or corrosion. With refreshed brakes all round and a full recent service, this is ready for the summer show season.

Paperwork

● Current V5
● Recent full service
● Engine and suspension inspection (May 2022)

Summary

Anyone can see why the Karmann Ghia is so sought-after by VW fans the world over. It’s an achingly pretty little car, and the fact it runs on a Beetle chassis and drivetrain means that mechanical parts are widely and readily available. Of course, they’re still a very rare sight on the roads these days, and surely that’s part of the attraction?

This particular car has clearly been someone’s pride and joy. It’s been very wall maintained and had thousands spent on some very select and nicely-realised modifications to both the cabin and the drivetrain. We think it’s a real looker, and with a little work, could be an absolute show-stopper.

Ghia’s are becoming genuinely hard to find these days, at least in presentable condition. And this is more than that, it’s a very honest car presented in very good condition.

MOT & Tax exempt (although it is currently MOT’d), ULEX exempt and qualifies for classic car insurance.