Lot 106: 1971 Volkswagon Karmann Ghia Coupe

Volkswagen, in the early 1950's, was facing the prospect of selling a small line of cars (the Beetle and the Bus) to a more demanding car buying public. VW executives felt it was necessary to introduce an "image" car to reach this new market. Volkswagen contracted with the German coach builder, Karmann to build their "image" car. Karmann, in need of a design, approached Ghia. The VW executives liked what they saw and by August of 1955, the first Volkswagen Karmann Ghia's rolled off assembly line in Osnabruck, Germany as 1956 models. The automotive and the public instantly fell in love with the beautiful design and hand crafted workmanship. When the convertible came out a couple of years later in 1958, sales jumped to around 18,000 cars per year. Sales climbed steadily until the late 1960's when they peaked in the neighbourhood of 33,000 cars a year. The Karmann Ghia was last produced in 1974 to make way for the new VW Scirocco. Only 365,912 coupes were produced which make the Karmann Ghia a fairly rare car considering it was produced for nearly 20 years. The example presented here is special in a number of different respects, least of all, the fact that it underwent a 5 year restoration complete with documentary photographic record. The engine breathes through twin Kadron carburettors, the body has been lowered and the nose is of an early 'bullet' style. Towel rail bumpers protect the bodywork and the interior boasts an wood veneered dashboard. What price 'cool' you ask, well now you know...