$12,599
Penned by the Italian design firm Carrozzeria Ghia and sporting hand-built bodywork by the German coachbuilders at Karmann, the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a sports car produced from 1955 to 1974. Referred to internally as the Type 14, the Karmann Ghia was offered in both coupe and convertible styles.
Penned by the Italian design firm Carrozzeria Ghia and sporting hand-built bodywork by the German coachbuilders at Karmann, the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a sports car produced from 1955 to 1974. Referred to internally as the Type 14, the Karmann Ghia was offered in both coupe and convertible styles.
By 1950, Luigi Segre of Carrozzeria Ghia was bent on expanding Carrozzeria’s international reputation, and Wilhelm Karmann had recently inherited the business from his parents and was eager for more Volkswagen contracts to build convertibles. Segre often saw Karmann at International Auto Shows, and the two eventually became friends. Segre found a Type 1 Beetle in Paris and drove it all the way back to Turin, Italy where they spent 5 months gutting the vehicle and turning it into a new prototype. In 1953, Segre showed the prototype to Karmann and Karmann agreed that he wanted to aid in building the car. Segre presented the build to Karmann, who in turn presented the car to Volkswagen. VW approved the design in 1953 and the car went into full production two years later. By the end of a very healthy, 19-year production run, Volkswagen had manufactured roughly 445,000 units of the vehicle.
Exterior condition on this Karmann Ghia is solid. The paint looks smoothly applied although it appears that the color of the passenger door is slightly different than the rest of the car. The chrome around the car has faded over the years and would likely benefit greatly from some polishing. Furthermore, the front bumper seems to have been bent in multiple areas. However, there does not seem to be any visible corrosion or bubbling on either bumper. Fitment of both the trunk and the hood is slightly off-kilter, but the chrome trim at the bottom of each side of the car lines up with itself nicely. The chrome hubcaps are in solid condition, but they would like even better after some polishing. Remaining tire tread is fair, but we always recommend a new set. Glass around the car is clean, clear, and free of both chips and cracks. Overall, this Karmann Ghia has a solid exterior that could be improved upon.
The Karmann Ghia possesses a sparse interior. The body-matching, blue metal dashboard is complemented by black leather seats, a white headliner and steering wheel, and red carpets for an extra pop of color. The red and blue together in particular make the interior a comfortable place for viewers to rest their eyes. The blue metal dash is clean, and all three of its gauges are easily readable. The white Bakelite steering wheel has survived nicely as well and shows minimal wear. Lastly the headliner appears to be free of stains and hangs tightly in place for the most part. The sunshades stow away as intended as well. The black leather seats are nice; they show minimal creasing and no major holes or tears. Down at the floor, red shag carpet has been fitted to cover the floorboards. The carpet itself is overdue for a deep cleaning, but a large tear in the driver’s footwell reveals the floor beneath. Whether it is metal rife with surface corrosion, or a deep orange floormat, is unclear. Overall, the interior is solid, but has become a bit weathered over the years. Some basic rehab would surely make the inside of this VW glow with very little effort needed.
Lifting the hood reveals the teeny tiny beating heart of the cruiser. The engine, as well as the rest of the bay, is a little bit dusty, but nothing appears to be majorly damaged. Underneath the car, we see a solid frame and floorboards, suspension components all in their proper locations, and an exhaust that does sport some surface corrosion.
This Karmann Ghia comes to us as part of the Volkswagen Collection, curated by an avid Volkswagen enthusiast operating out of Santa Barbara, California. The collector has been the long-term owner of this vehicle for a number of years. Our team here at The Market by Bonhams were able to start the car on the day of the photoshoot, but we still highly recommend that the winning bidder have a professional inspection done on the car post-auction.
The Karmann Ghia was just one of a number of sales homeruns for Volkswagen in the 1950s and onwards. Internationally designed by multiple style-powerhouses that still exist today, the Karmann Ghia is a shining example of great minds coming together for collaboration. Today’s example has a solid exterior, and a driver quality interior. All things considered, we at The Market by Bonhams believe the value of this Karmann Ghia lies somewhere between $13,000 and $20,000.
