Journal: Street Find: Little Red Riding Hood

Street Find: Little Red Riding Hood

By Ted Gushue
March 21, 2016

While we can debate endlessly over the best possible iteration of the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, ‘eurospec’ vs non, which era had the best taillights, etc., it’s impossible not to smile when you see one on the street. It’s why I’m kicking off our new “Street Find” series with this little number I saw strutting its stuff in Venice/Santa Monica over the weekend.

To the best of our ability, this series will try to tell the stories behind some of the cars our team bumps into over the weekend, however, in the event that’s not possible, we’re just gonna snap a few pics and share the moment with you.

Actually, you know what might be fun, is if you write a theoretical, fictional, story for the car in the comments. I’ll check in later this week—and if someone’s knocked it out of the park, I’ll send them a pack of Petrolicious stickers. If the real owner of this Ghia shows up in the comments, I guess I’ll have to hand them over personally.

As always, Drive Tastefully.

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Aronda Xystris
Aronda Xystris
8 years ago

New to this site. Interested in Karmann Ghia’s.

Landroving
Landroving
8 years ago

Jerry Seinfeld may have the one truly sorted Karman Ghia, it is a 356 underneath.

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  Landroving

Actually if I may there’s a ton of ‘ sorted ‘ as well as restomodded Karman Ghia’s out there . Fact is just about any KG in use has been sorted out to one extent or another seeing as how of the factory they were pretty … err .. weak to say the least . The best of the bunch being the three I know of with those POLO Porsche flat fours [ converted from Porsche flat sixes ] I rant on about and completely revamped suspensions all the way around .

http://www.polomotor.com

Maxime Veilleux
Maxime Veilleux
8 years ago

Did you leave one of those fantastic business card of yours under his wipers?

Wonderful mint example, Great find.

Jan Doodelidoo
Jan Doodelidoo
8 years ago

If you have ever visited it’s German birthplace (which is just around my corner), you start to wonder how incredibly beautiful this car can be!

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  Jan Doodelidoo

The problem being once you’ve sat it in and driven it for awhile you rapidly come to understand exactly why it was no one bought them back in the day as well as why VW finally canned the little gem . The cars design and appearance vastly overwhelming its performance , handling and reliability .

Landroving
Landroving
8 years ago

I love the mixed message of leaving such a pretty old girl open to the glances and attention of the unknown yet adding a club to the wheel. It ‘s that one last attempt of protection and control from harm that reveals the emotion of the owner.

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago

So there we were .. trawling around Steiner Studios as well as the mean streets alleys and byways of Brooklyn and the greater NYC area in search for a bit of nostalgia when we ran across this little gem parked on the side of the road awaiting the arrival of what appeared to be none other than the 70’s versions of David Bowie himself as he exited the venue he’d just sang ” Suffragette City ” Thinking at first yet another ‘ flashback ‘ had hit us both square on the head we finally came to our senses realizing it was actor Noah Bean who had just played the role of Mr Bowie in an episode of ” Vinyl ” still in costume walking out to his personal car

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

PS; yeah .. I know there’s palm trees in the background and all .. but whats life without a bit of surrealism ?

Isaac Wingold
8 years ago

Don’t let the gorgeous, Italian-designed exterior and 2+2 configuration of this red Volkswagen Karmann Ghia fool you. This is one of the newest members of the Southern California Red Cross’ ever-growing fleet of blood donation vehicles, a “bloodmobile” of sorts, and it’ll be in your neighborhood for the next several weeks. After hopping in, buckling up, putting down the top, and filling out all the necessary paperwork, you’ll be in for a classic car experience like no other – all while donating blood in style, and at record-breaking speeds.

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