We’ve given the Karmann-Ghia quite a lot of love here on CC. It’s going to be my third post on the matter, and I’m kind of running out of things to write about it. But then an absolutely pristine early ‘60s model in candy apple red shows up on a cloudy Sunday and it’s a feast for the eyes.
So this post will be more photo-centrered than usual. Words would just get in the way.
I don’t think we’ve ever acknowledged on CC that this superb design was penned in 1953 by Luigi Segre for Ghia.
Segre gradually got more and more involved by managerial duties at Ghia and died rather young in 1963, but his talent as a designer is evidenced by the VW K-G’s profile above. Just stunning.
This is the more common “high headlight” post-1959 model, with a revamped nose courtesy of Ghia designer Sergio Sartorelli.
Sartorelli would later author the Type 34 K-G, which is currently top of my Most-Wanted-VW list. But I’ve not seen one of those here yet. One day, one day…
RHD makes sense in Japan, but originally these were sold here in LHD. I’m guessing this one is a more recent import from either Australia or the UK.
Whitewalls would be a little much for my taste ordinarily, but somehow they work on this particular car.
Pure eye candy. Probably Haribo, given its country of manufacture.
Related posts:
Curbside Classic: 1970 Karmann Ghia – The Fairest Volkswagen Of Them All, by PN
Curbside Classic: 1963 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia – Patina Overachiever, by T87
CC Capsule: 1967 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia – The Perfect Curbside Classic for the Crunchy Granola Set?, by Jim Grey
CC Capsule: 1973 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia (Type 14) Cabriolet – Wie K-G In Frankreich, by T87
In-Motion Outtakes: 1970 – ’71 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia – Grape Creamsicle, by Joseph Dennis
My 1970 VW Karmann Ghia – Faster Than A Speeding Moped, by ThisWas
COAL: My Karmann-Ghia Obsession, Part 1 and Part 2, by RetroJerry
Thank you Mr. Tatra!
My daily driven unrestored Karmann-Ghia I’ve just driven to work in would be very envious of the condition of this one – it’s stunning! Segre is one of the great designers, although less well known than some. This is probably his best known work – not only beautiful, but aerodynamically efficient, too with a Cd of 0.37, which is why Ghias, despite weighing more than Beetles, are about 8-10 mph faster with the same power train and gearing.
I prefer Sartorelli’s later front end to the original “low light” one – the broader air intakes look better to my eyes and the headlamps more alert.
So this one hits the sweet spot for me – wunderschoen!
Yep. Totally agree on the original v the facelift. The older one always looked like it had had a big night.
You’ve finally done it, now I’ve fallen in love with these again. It’s taken me almost 40 years to get over the disappointment of failing to revive seriously rotted and sad 62 soft top with some friends. It was purchased ne by their Dad. The last blow was a few years ago when I reconnected with one of the guys. His brother was part of the group, now an extremely successful stockbroker, had held on to it and brought it to a reputable restoration shop. It was unsavable at any price.
Wow! Wow! That under dash, “a/c” unit is a real surprise. Wonder how, if , it works? The white walls, would be swapped for white, stripes were it mine.
Beautiful, ride.
I noticed this too. I know that on airvairs elevated oil temp was a concern.
Wow. Simply beautiful. One of my favorite cars. Thank you Tatra87!
At my high school in the early 1980s, there were two Karmann Ghias in the parking lot. One was driven by a cool, hippie-ish guy who was also a musician. The other one belonged to the German teacher. Pretty appropriate wheels for both of them.
Are there cars before the KG with curved side glass?
This is beautiful .
Many do not know the many 1961 only bits on VW Typ I’s .
I like the color but it appears a bit softer than the original “RUBY ROT” (Ruby Red) color .
The AC is a very good add – on, somehow those large intake grilles, tubes and so on don’t allow much fresh air into the car, the heaters don’t work well either .
I’m betting it no longer has the early (no cam bearings) 1200CC engine, that’d be a hard thing to run AC on one .
I sold my 1966 (1300 C.C., last year 6 volt) “Ghia to some fellow in Tokyo 40 + years ago, I’d built it with care, it had a 6 volt 1300C.C. European twin port engine and 6 volts system that worked *perfectly* .
Sadly it cooked me driving ’round in the Desert so I let it go .
-Nate
Back in the early 70s my older brother had a few. You could pick one I up for $150. Always loved them
In the late 50s, when I was a kid, the local dealers would bring their latest offerings to the Oregon state fair and we could sit in them and enjoy their charms. That’s where I developed an affinity for the K-D. Years later my friend let me drive his from Camp Sherman to Eugene and back. It definitely was faster than a beetle and he offered it to me for $400. It was a good buy but still not as fast as my Volvo 544 and not as versatile so I passed on that golden opportunity.
Stunning find, and the color suits it perfectly!
Oh, I never know with these things. I love it, I love it not. Which way’s the wind blowing?
Today, I’ll stick with “she’s not a classical beauty” – whilst being fully aware that that phrase can cover anything from someone who was striking but unusual to someone who may’ve actually looked like a smashed crab – because it just isn’t. Despite the lovely, dainty glasshouse, there’s just too much going on under the silk-sheet rest of it, or at least, too many ideas poking through. And rather too much arse, too: not so much in the sense of J.Lo but more J.Long. Too long.
Wouldn’t throw it out of bed, mind. (The Karmann, not J.Long. I don’t know her. Or possibly him).
Though if it was in my bed, there must have been an absolutely spectacular and terrible crash that somehow narrowly spared me, given where I live, but I am digressing.
If you’d like to experience the Type 34, come visit me in San Diego. I’ve restored the oldest T34 in the world in Sea Blue. It’s better than you ever dreamed.
LEE