Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (1955-1974)

In 1953, the first prototype for the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia a fact, and it was positively received. In 1955, the first Karmann Ghias appeared at dealerships. The Karmann Ghia was a two-door sports car. There are two models, both designed by the Italian firm Ghia. The German coachbuilder Karmann built more than half a million examples of this car between 1955 and 1974.

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

history and background

In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was known for its small, fuel-efficient, and reliable cars. After World War II, the demand for more luxurious and elegant cars increased. Volkswagen decided that a model was needed to boost Volkswagen's image and satisfy demanding car buyers.

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was proof that with a bit of Italian flair, you can turn even a Beetle into a beauty. In 1955, Volkswagen presented this graceful coupé model as a kind of “Beetle in a tuxedo”—elegant, stylish, and yet solidly German. The car was the result of a collaboration between three giants: Volkswagen provided the engineering, the Italian Ghia took care of the design, and the coachbuilder Karmann from Osnabrück put everything together neatly.

The idea behind the Karmann Ghia was to attract customers who appreciated the solid character of Volkswagen but also wanted to be seen on the boulevard. The basis was the proven engineering of the Beetle, which kept it reliable and affordable, while the bodywork added a touch of dolce vita. Production of the Karmann Ghia ran from 1955 to 1974, and during that time it grew into a beloved classic that continues to make design enthusiasts smile to this day.

Volkswagen entered into a partnership with coachbuilder Karmann from Osnabrück. Karmann brought in the Italian design firm Ghia from Turin for the design of the sports car. Ghia already had a design on the shelf that they had created for Chrysler, but it had never been used. With some modifications, this became the model for the Karmann Ghia.

Design and interior

In terms of appearance, the Karmann Ghia was a real charmer. The rounded shapes, flowing lines, and subtle chrome accents made it one of the most beautiful cars ever to come out of Germany – and that says something, because Germans are not exactly known for their frivolous design. The low nose, graceful wheel arches, and perfectly rounded rear gave the car a timeless elegance. Inside, things were a bit simpler: Volkswagen kept it minimalist, with a sober dashboard, solid materials, and a neat finish. No luxury upholstery or complicated gauges, but everything you needed to cruise with a smile.

Dashboard of the Karmann Ghia

Model variants

The Karmann Ghia came in two main variants: the Coupé, introduced in 1955, and the Cabriolet, which followed in 1957. Both shared the same chassis and engines as the Beetle, but were just that touch more stylish. In 1970, the Type 14 came to an end and was succeeded by the Type 34, a larger and more modern-looking variant based on the Volkswagen 1500. The Type 34 was even nicknamed “Razor Edge” because of its sharper lines, but always remained a rarer sight.

Karmann Ghia Type 14

The design and prototype were well received by the Volkswagen management on November 16, 1953. In 1954, Volkswagen guaranteed that sufficient chassis could be supplied. The Karmann Ghia was presented at car shows in early 1955. The public reacted enthusiastically to the model, and in August 1955, the first Karmann Ghia was built in Osnabrück. The chassis of the export version of the Beetle served as the basis. The model was designated Type 14.

Karmann Ghia Type 34

Meanwhile, a new four-seater model was developed together with Ghia based on the Volkswagen Type 3. This was also a two-door model. This version was intended to replace the Type 14, but it was later decided to let both types coexist. This new model came onto the market in 1961 as the Type 34.

All this time, production of the Type 14 continued as usual, and in 1971 a completely new Karmann Ghia model was even released, the Touring Coupé; also based on the Volkswagen Type 3. However, the Touring Coupé was built only in Brazil and was never exported.

The most powerful Karmann Ghia was the 1.6-liter version from the early 70s, with an output of 54 hp and 110 Nm of torque. The top speed was 145 km/h and the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h took about 20 seconds – not breathtaking figures, but enough to drive along the coastline in style with the roof down.

Competitors

The Karmann Ghia had to compete against cars like the Volvo P1800, Renault Floride, Sunbeam Alpine, and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint – all sporty beauties, but none of them with the reliability of a Beetle heart.

One of the most interesting facts is that the Karmann Ghia, despite its sporty appearance, was never internally viewed as a sports car at Volkswagen. After all, it shared the exact same engines and suspension as the Beetle – making it more showpiece than muscle. Yet, it managed to win the hearts of many car enthusiasts, not through speed, but through style.

Increasing safety requirements and declining sales ultimately spelled the end for the Karmann Ghia. Production for the European market ceased on December 21, 1973. Karmann continued building for American export for a short while longer, but the very last Karmann Ghia was produced in Osnabrück on July 31, 1974. Production continued in Brazil, but in 1976, the curtain fell there as well for the Touring Coupé. By then, a total of over half a million Karmann Ghias had been built. The Karmann Ghia was succeeded as a Volkswagen sports car by the Volkswagen Scirocco.