Market Finds: Looking for a Fun, Simple Driver? Check out this Karmann Ghia

Looking for a Fun, Simple Driver? Check out this Karmann Ghia

By Petrolicious
April 3, 2014

The car: 1962 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Price: $4266 (price at posting time)

Location: Kennewick, Washington, USA

Original Ad: Click here

When you hear the name “Karmann Ghia” it could mean either the Type 1 (based on the Beetle) or the Type 3 (based on the “Squareback” and “Fastback,” as we know them in the U.S.). The latter Karmann Ghia was never officially imported in the U.S. but the Type 1 Karmann Ghia was quite popular for a time.

The older Type 1s (with the smaller taillights and parking lights) are more attractive to our eyes, which is why this one on eBay caught our attention. Described as a “driver,” the seller “purchased the car with the intention of giving it a new life.” The 1600cc motor has received a tune-up with an oil change, a valve adjustment, new points, cap, rotors, plugs, and filter. The carb is a rebuilt Volkzbitz 28 PICT/1 with 12V choke. A compression check resulted in a clean bill of health. With a brand-new master cylinder and brakes, the VW stops as smoothly as it rides. The front beam is adjustable and rolls on 135-series tires up front and 165s out back. When the interior was torn down, POR-15 was used on the interior floors and kick panels. Demerits? The seat inserts are a bit dry and starting to rip. The minor dents and dings have been filled in. Starter is still 6v and cranks fast “but she is a bit cold blooded and needs to warm a bit before she purrs like a kitten.” No exterior side mirrors . . . you get the idea–this is one Karmann Ghia that has been tastefully improved and is “a great start to a fun little car.” The auction ends soon though, so if you’re interested you’d better hurry.

If you know of a great, stylish car for sale and would like us to feature it, please let us know!

Petrolicious makes no claim as to the accuracy of the information contained in the car’s original listing, nor will it be held responsible for any errors in said information. If you’re interested in this car, do your homework and research it extensively before you buy.

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Todd Cox
Todd Cox
10 years ago

In 1988 I purchased a 1971 KG Convertible. White with a black top, and commensurate rust in the rockers. It was an attempt to fill the need I had for a roadster, and it looked pretty nice sitting next to my father’s Sunbeam. It was a fun, quirky, and incredibly simplistic car that to this day I regret selling; it is one of my biggest regrets, actually.

I expected that it would be a fun car, and having something of a back seat meant I could even take my buddies along to share in the experience. It lived up to my expectations and surpassed them; it was surprisingly comfortable and higher highway speeds where it would just glide along at 90mph. What also surprised me was the amount of attention it generated. I can’t ever remember coming back to my car and not finding someone looking at it. People would randomly stop next to me at a light and offer to buy or trade it.

These cars are appreciating rapidly, and finding a clean base for one is important; the body is far more important than the engine, and the mix of 12V/6V here means that it too has been ‘violated’ however I’ve never seen a second-hand engine or a 12V conversion diminish the value of an early VW; it’s just par for the course.

Someone will wind up with a very pretty little car.

Matthew Lange
10 years ago

Nice to see one not riding on Fuchs alloys and a custom paint job.

Ae Neuman
Ae Neuman
10 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

ditto.
there’s timelss elegance to simple painted steel wheels and chrome dome hubcaps.
😉

Anton Fatin
Anton Fatin
10 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

Haha, the first thing I thought was how much better it would look with Fuchs alloys and a custom paint job. To each their own I guess.

Rod S
Rod S
10 years ago

Beautiful! If not for shipping and a current project I’d take a chance at this lovely car.

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