1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

This very handsome, two-tone, ‘burnt orange’ and white, 3-speed semi-automatic car was delivered new to the UK and first registered on 6.4.72, when it was described as being ‘red’.

Today, the odometer reads 33,899 miles – a figure consistent with the paperwork we’ve seen.

Including the vendor, it has had four owners since 1972.

It stars, goes, handles, brakes and stops as you would want and hope.

It’s got one or two cosmetic issues to contend with but, as a whole, this is a very pretty, solid, decent car with plenty to recommend it.

The car’s panels are straight and untroubled by any dinks, dents, folds, creases or nicks to speak of.

The doors close with the right amount of precision and weight. The shut lines are consistent and even wherever you look.

The chrome, while not bent or otherwise damaged, is foxed and tarnished in places, including on the hub cabs and door handles. The badging appears to be present and correct.

The wheels would thank their next owner for some refurbishment.

The sliding fabric roof has not held up so well, and while we have no reason to doubt the integrity of the mechanism, the fabric itself is now playing host to several rips and tears.

The fuel filler flap seems reluctant to close at the moment.

There is some minor blistering and bubbling running along the bodywork beneath both the front and rear screens.

The blisters and bubbles are small and there’s no reason to think that this is hiding any more significant issues. There are a few chips around the headlights.

The black interior is an object lesson in simple, uncluttered, elegant functionality.

You’ve got everything you need in here, and nothing you don’t.

It’s held up fairly well over the years in general, although it’s showing its age in a few places and is looking a little frayed and tired in a few others.

All of which underlines the originality and authenticity of what you’re looking at - a car that first put its rubber on the road in 1972, when Don McLean was driving his Chevy to the levee, Nixon was visiting China, and something unspeakable was happening in the woods in Deliverance.

The front seats wear the creases and patina of their age with pride and are both supportive and comfortable.

The rear seats look as if they’ve been folded down for quite some time and consequently have a rather dusty look to them. That said, they seem to be in one piece and free of any structural damage, so we’re confident that they’ll get their act together quite quickly if threatened with a damp cloth and some soapy water.

The carpets, mats and headlining are in reasonable condition, but could do with a bit of freshening up here and there.

The simple dashboard, steering wheel and gear selector are all in decent nick, although there is a small crack in the dashboard around the radio.

As far as we’re aware, all switches, levers, toggles, buttons, dials and gauges do more or less what they’re supposed to do.

The storage space under the bonnet is in clean and healthy condition, too. There is a spare wheel in place. Lifting up the carpets here or elsewhere on this car reveals the odd superficial bloom of rust dust here and there, but nothing much to speak of.

In general, the undersides seem to be very well preserved, with all mechanical parts apparently in good working order and well protected from the elements by a good coating of bitumen wax/bitumen.

The engine bay is a gloriously clean, dry and shiny place. Again, everything seems to be in its right and proper place.

As you’ll see from the photographs, not everything is perfect on the car’s undersides. Some corrosion is in evidence in and under the sills, and there are a couple of sizeable holes in evidence. It should be noted, though, that none of the visible corrosion affects structural parts in any meaningful way – a fact supported by the car’s current MoT certificate.

In 1979, the odometer read 18,716 miles.

This car had covered 31,998 miles by 2007.

It’s done just 1,901 miles since then.

So, it’s safe to assume that it’s had a fairly easy life, and protracted periods where it’s just been kept warm, dry and stationary.

The original service book comes with a full set of main dealer stamps for the first decade of its life. There are many bills, invoices and receipts attesting to the care and diligence it seems to have received over the years.

On the 21.8.21, S.E. Classics of Hanwell carried out the following work at a cost of £814.28.

• full service and adjustments where necessary:

• oil filter

• oil change 15/40W

• fuel filter

• new fuel line due to cracking

• new distributor with vacuum

• spark plugs X 4

• new radiator hose

• air filter in chrome

• carburettor adjustment and tuning

• screen wash top-up

• inflate all tyres and spare

• clear screen wash line

• re-align steering wheel

This car doesn’t currently have an MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have the car re-MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT certificate is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

This solid example of an iconic car seems to us to be mechanically, dynamically and aesthetically in a good place.

It is a low mileage example and has the right paperwork and bills to suggest that it’s led a fairly easy life and been well looked after by people who appreciated it’s unique and undoubted Teutonic charms.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £16,000 - £24,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.