Styled in Italy by Carrozzeria Ghia with bodywork hand-built in Germany by Karmann, the Karmann Ghia is an air-cooled rear-engine sports car derived from Volkswagen’s Beetle. Acquired by the seller in 2009, this 1972 example is said to have undergone a complete engine rebuild under the previous ownership and has since been refinished in red along with several additional cosmetic and mechanical refurbishments. One of the most iconic automotive designs of its era, this Karmann Ghia is now being offered for auction out of Maryland.
The Karmann Ghia is characterized by a sleek, low-slung profile along with a gently sloping roofline that extends to the rear end, softly contoured fenders, chrome accents, and oval-shaped taillights. The seller states that this example has been refinished in red which removed some old scratches, small dents, and body filler. Quad exhaust outlets have been fitted along with a set of aftermarket aluminum wheels with Firestone F-560 tires from 2013. The original spare wheel is said to accompany the sale. Some paint imperfections are noted along with some signs of age within the chrome trim. Additional images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin presents a reupholstered black leatherette dashboard, matching door panel inserts, red cloth seats, and red carpets which were replaced under the previous ownership. The instrumentation, column control cluster, and steering wheel have also been replaced. Additionally, a basket-weave net has been fitted below the dashboard. The seller states that all wiring has been replaced with factory-standard wiring harness assemblies, and the ventilation system is currently inoperable.
The Ghia is powered by a rear-mounted 1600cc flat-four air-cooled engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. A single-vacuum dual-advance (SVDA) distributor has been fitted. The seller states a complete engine rebuild was carried out under the previous ownership and states the engine number plate has been removed. No outstanding maintenance items have been reported.
This sale will include a clean title, an air pump, a car cover, a battery charger, a floor jack, jack stands, a box of spare parts, repair manuals, and a spare tire.
The seller would like you to know: “Thank you for considering my auction. Known affectionately as ‘the poor man's Porsche,’ this VW coupe is a product of the esteemed Italian design firm Carrozzeria Ghia that shaped the car's form and the production was given to coachbuilding company Ghia. He has been my garage ‘weekend project’ for over 12 years. My first car was a Karmann Ghia when I was 17 and I always felt a nostalgia to work on one again my whole life! Since 2009, I have completely rewired it to factory specifications, replaced all lights and lenses/housings, and reworked the body to remove some of the previous owners' minor scratches and patches. It has remained in my garage under a cover when I am not working on him or if I take him around the neighborhood to stretch his legs. The only upgrades I have made are the sporty aluminum wheels and the quad exhaust to give him a little more appeal. I had more projects in mind to work toward a complete restoration of every little aspect, but sadly life happens. I would greatly appreciate your consideration and I will make myself available to answer any questions or just have a discussion.”
Comments (7)
Sold for $8,663
Bid in the amount of $8,663
Bid in the amount of $7,875
Bid in the amount of $5,686
Bid in the amount of $2,000
Apropos of nothing, I just saw Jessie L. Martin driving an older model in the trailer for his new NBC series. And then smashing it! :O
My little project I've been tinkering with for years is ready to move on to someone who will give it the same love and attention I have. It's such a joy to drive and work on. Ask me anything you want to know or even just to chat about restoration or swap stories. I thank you for your time and consideration.