1964 Volkswagen, type 14 Karman Ghia

[@hot88s23]

Sounds like Baby Love, the Supremes

[@What.its.like.]

Right out of the gate. Congratulations you’re the first one to get it.

[@dalegereaux1863]

My Mom had a 1964 Karmann Ghia. Bright yellow with a black top. When my older brother turned 16 and got his license he got the Karmann Ghia and my Mom got a new car. Since I was 5 years younger it never became my hand me down car. 😢

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that memory. I’m sorry you didn’t get the opportunity to drive that car.

[@Vegaswill714]

Forever memory of Karman Ghia - friend bought one in 1971 for $200. He rolled it on it's roof, I am sure beer was involved. We pushed it back over on its wheels, he drove it home. Good memories. Father in law had a good example, it handled very well and got more than 20 mpg. Many good memories.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing those memories =)

[@johnboydTx]

I've always liked Triumph TR4 good styling 😉 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠

[@What.its.like.]

=) sweet choice

[@charlesyoung7436]

I had a '67, one of the last 60 made. The owners manual said it was positive ground, like all British cars of the era, but it was negative ground like the upcoming 1968 TR5/250. BTW, this video said the Karmann Ghia utilized a Beetle floorpan, but it was actually a wider one. That's why Fiberglas "Porsche" car kits called for the Ghia pan.@@What.its.like.

[@middleclassretiree]

The type 14 is a neat little car so id choose it in the 2nd offering and the triumph in the first. That was a cool story about your family and goes to show you should never underestimate the power of love

[@61rampy65]

Great story about your Grandpa! I bought a 66 Type 34 Ghia in 1989. It really was a basket case. It took a couple of years, but I got it fixed up body-wise so it looked decent. Do you know how hard parts are to find for that car (especially before the internet)?? I eventually got it done up pretty well. I installed a turbocharged, fuel injected Corvair engine in it, along with A/C. That engine easily overpowered the clutch. I went to heavier and heavier clutches, finally using a metallic disc. Then a new, stronger trans. Once I got everything dialed in, holy moley, that was a FAST car!! Never did the interior, tho. I finally sold it to buy a Corvair powered motorhome, called an Ultravan. I'm an idiot, I realllly should have kept the Ghia. Great video,Jay!

[@61rampy65]

Before anybody whines about ruining a museum piece, be aware that if I didn't buy the car, it was going to the junkyard. So, I actually saved it.

[@What.its.like.]

This car with a Corvair engine and it would be amazing. Thank you so much for sharing all that I really appreciate it when I was doing my car it was a newer Karman Ghia was a 72. You could get every single part for that car except body parts like individual panel parts were hard to find. I’m sure you could get them if you were looking for them at my car didn’t need panels. I wanted to do the carburetor set up, but I never did those cars look really good with big thick white walls. I wanted to put big white walls on it but I was very budget oriented so I tried to get porta walls but they didn’t work on radial tires I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to restore a car without the Internet I remember days of digging through junkyards and stuff but people at junkyards don’t let you go through the junkyards anymore Happy you dig this episode

[@61rampy65]

@@ericruud9328 Way back in the late 60s, there was a 34 Ghia running around my home town of Park Ridge, IL. I've been a car guy all my life, but since VWs weren't in most of the car magazines, I didn't know either! (Figured it out later in life And I had never seen another one in person until I bought mine).

[@bparksiii6171]

First choice Type 14 Karman Ghia, second, choice Type 34 Karman Ghia Always loved Karman Ghias especially in green or blue, hardtop and convertible , that one probably brought back memories of your old one. Corvair engine is a great choice in @61rampy65's car. seen videos of some wild Ghias and beetles with Subaru engines, those must be a handful to drive like a Fox body Mustang. Great Episode.

[@NeedtoSpeak]

Wow…..a cousin owned one, and. I got to drive it in the mid 60s….It was beautiful. I can’t remember the pedals being so odd!

[@What.its.like.]

The petals are definitely tight in this one

[@jeffsmith846]

I grew up in southern Oklahoma and my Dad bought a 69 Ghia as a bank repo. I had a 61 Thunderbird as my first car and the Ghia was the polar opposite of the Bird. I would borrow the Ghia on Saturday nights to go up and down Main Street because it really sipped the fuel. The car was a blast to drive and your are correct, they are slow but still fun.. Regular gasoline at the Hudson Hornet (full serve) was 18.9 cents a gallon so you could fill up the Ghia for about two dollars if it was on empty. The Ghia was tan with tan interior. Heater sucked, but it would keep you from freezing at least in the warmer climate of southern Oklahoma. My Dad sold the car to my friend's sister somewhere around 1972. She still has that car today.

[@What.its.like.]

Great story those cars are totally different leagues lol How did the thunderbird ride? Thank you so much for sharing those memories =)

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@5610winston]

7:17 Note also the wipers are set to pivot at the right like the '61 Lincolns and the '63 Studebaker Avanti, suitable for right-hand-drive cars, but not the bestt arrangement for left-drive markets.

[@What.its.like.]

Great observation

[@jmflournoy386]

Put a turbocharged Corvair in one of those. Had to make the corvair run backwards with a custom Crower Cam. AWESOME

[@What.its.like.]

This car with a Corvair power plant would be amazing because I think this car is lighter than the Corvair.. I drove a Corvair Monza one time and it wasn’t a slouch the ghia frankly the ghia was a cool car gun to drive a car you can use all of and not get in trouble

[@ernielaw]

A long time ago a close family friend owned a1957 Karman Ghia which I rode in. The advertisement shown here stated there was only room for 2, but we know there was a back seat in the Karman Ghia. I am undecided which car is my favorite sports car.

[@ronkemperful]

In 1956 my Dad's first choice for an affordable German car (he served in the U.S. Air Force) was a Karman Ghia which was newly introduced that year. However, military regulations required an officer to wear his hat upon entering the base in his car, which was impossible for my tall Dad who was 6 feet 4. So, as a compromise he bought a VW convertible instead. Therefore, my first car in college was the 56 VW, in which I managed to squeeze four in the back seat, for six to ride to church. I don't think that would have been possible in the Ghia!

[@johnboydTx]

Never Underestimate the Power of Love 🤔❤️!!!

[@What.its.like.]

Great guess it wasn’t that long. It was baby love by the Supremes.

[@johnboydTx]

@@What.its.like. in reference to the story of your family 😉🙏

[@What.its.like.]

I got you I should’ve been more specific about Hazel that happened last week. Grandpa‘s been gone since 2005.

[@5610winston]

6:10 As I recall, the grilles were passenger cabin air intakes.

[@What.its.like.]

Yes I totally forgot to mention that

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Jay!: Karmann's are cool! They are NOT quick as you have stated, but ARE fun to drive! My Friend had a Type 34, and EARLY one! I drove it quite a few times. WISH I had had the money to buy that when he sold it! I was in my MGB period so, was out of funds. WYR#1 MGB more horse power, more fun! Still not quick, but fun! WYR#2 I LIKED that type 34, it was different! My friend's car had a fuel gauge that read TANK, not fuel!!

[@What.its.like.]

They are really fun to drive. It’s a car that you could use all of it and I had any trouble. lol sweet choices =) There is an MGB in the pipeline I didn’t fit in that car as well as I thought I would. They are way tighter fit.

[@markchandler1130]

Love the story!

[@What.its.like.]

I should’ve been more clear that just happened. Hazel died last week. Grandpa‘s family there isn’t that many left. I think there’s two left of the 13. All the guys died. There’s only girls left. I got choked up at the end and I probably should’ve left the choked in part in, but I didn’t. There was a blooper also that I took out of me trying to put the seat out and it just wouldn’t cooperate and I said it’s a German thing or something to that effect lol.

[@johnpinckney4979]

I got to drive a Type 34 KG when I lived in Austria. It was made for the Rallye circuit, something largely unknown in the U.S.

[@johnpinckney4979]

@@ericruud9328 In what way? Remember, rallying is different from racing. The Opel 1900/Manta was also a different type of car. My Austrian friends laughed when I called the Opel GT, "the Opel Capri". Same philosophy.on both. There's no way VW could've sold the Type 34 in the U.S. It was nowhere near as tough as the KG sold here.

[@tigre7739]

I've always thought these were interesting looking little cars, but I would probably pick the MGB in the first, but would definitely go with the 34 in the second! 😎

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@5610winston]

9:11 Note the rust at the wheelwell. Makes you wonder where else this issue may be.

[@What.its.like.]

I saw that as well, but there’s lots of detailed pictures of what the underneath looks like in it looks decent

[@RIVERSIDEREVIEWS]

Had a 1969 in the early 2000s. Fun car. Mine topped out at 90mph and 60mph it felt fine cruising. Daily driving was similar to any other vw of the era. Mpg was near 40 if you babied it but I had the 1500 not the 1600

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing those memories of your car

[@TheSpritz0]

Growing up in Winnipeg Canada my neighbour had a early 1970’s one with automatic!!

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =) I wasn’t sure if these could get the auto stick

[@TheSpritz0]

@@What.its.like. It had a "Automatic Stick Shift," a clutchless three-speed manual with a torque converter. NO CLUTCH pedal...

[@ghiajunkie]

​@@TheSpritz0 I have a 70 autostick Ghia. A lot of fun to drive.

[@TonyKuehler]

Boxer is an engine type, Boxster is a Porsche model.

[@What.its.like.]

I have a speech impediment problem

[@P_RO_]

To me, the type 14 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Like the XKE it just oozes "sexy" as it emulates the subtle curves and likes of a shapely woman.Ghia got every detail of the bodywork perfect, but the spartan interior let it down, and even the more powerful late models were still unsportingly slow. Many cars lose their good looks without the bumpers but not this one. Had VW somehow put some horsepower in these they would have sold a lot more of them. I can't recall when I last saw one of these on the road; indeed any unbutchered air-cooled VW is rare to see anymore around here. It's one of my dream cars, but unwrecked rust-free examples are few and far between, and way beyond my budget of nearly broke. Didn't used to be like that; there was a time until the early 80's when these were actually affordable and fairly common. Never saw a type 34 on the road and TBH I don't like them though Ghia did hit the bullseye for styling of the era with them. In my early teens, Mom had one of these for a week as a possible purchase from a relative and even then the back seat was small and uncomfortable and hot in the summer. It was in showroom perfect condition, a darker beige with a white top. She didn't like it as the carbs needed work and it stalled on take-off easily so she ended up buying a new Plymouth Duster instead. I was SO disappointed with her choice but at least the Duster was sensible for a family of four. The WYR is one of the toughest you've done Jay, given my love of these cars. The MGB and the TR4 are awesome in their own right, classic sports cars through and through. I'd pick the Karman Ghia but I'll take the MGB since I can have the Karman Ghia in the second round. Oh to just have them all...

[@What.its.like.]

Great information insight as always. Thank you so much for sharing all of that. Great choices too =)

[@5610winston]

2:45 40 horsepower (SAE gross figure) is probably closer to 32 (SAE net) by the reckoning we use today.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah I didn’t even think of that. It might’ve not been that bad though because it only had the generator that was running and the fan I guess from the other side, so yeah 32 would probably be about right =)

[@hcombs0104]

WYR: First scenario, Triumph TR4, second is Type 34 Karmann Ghia. For what it's worth, my '66 VW Bug had the same pedal setup on the floor, very close together....it took some getting used to. Very cute little car BTW, even unrestored.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =) I wonder when they switch that because mine wasn’t set up like that from what I can remember. That pedalbox is almost as tight as the cobra that I drove. The only difference is the pedalbox is way bigger but the petals are very tight. .. the cobra pedals were like that but the pedal box was small as well

[@geebs76]

I'd take the 1964 Triumph TR4 and the 1972 Type 145 TC Karmann Ghia. I'm guessing the 1972 the TC would have had fuel injection. My 1970 Squareback had it and it was a huge improvement over the carburetor. That was a cool story about your Grandfather, Eddie, and Hazel. Thanks for sharing it.

[@What.its.like.]

That just happened at the tail end of last week grandpa has been gone since Oct 3 2005 Sweet choices =)

[@ghiajunkie]

There was no fuel injection in the 145 TC. Only carburators.

[@avp217]

Jay, you had the Type 3 wagon and Type 3 notchback, but you left out the Type 3 fastback. The type 3 wagon was marketed in the US as the "Squareback," I guess because the "station wagon" was the bus. Fastbacks and Squarebacks were commonly seen, but the notchbacks were not popular.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you I felt like I was missing one.

[@charlesdalton985]

The Supremes - Baby Love. WYR: Triumph (but I would take one of those of MANY cars) and the Type 14. A girl up the street from me had one of these and bought a VW Rabbit to replace it. She nearly killed herself in the Rabbit as it was so much quicker. Thanks as always, great look at an interesting car. ~ Chuck

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah buddy hot88s23 just beat you for title

[@charlesdalton985]

@@What.its.like. I was flashing back to Tony Danza and Michelle Pfeiffer in Hollywood Knights and typed too slowly 😂. Congrats to hot88s23!

[@lanedexter6303]

Cool car,👍the one we daydreamed about. No pretense of being a sports car, just a Beetle with a really pretty body. I remember when Mom traded her used 36hp 1956 Beetle for a brand new 1963 40hp 1200 Beetle. It even had a fuel gauge instead of just a reserve selector valve. The Karman Ghia was no family car, but we definitely noticed every one we saw. I wonder if the gold car you showed us has a 12v conversion. I’ve never seen a Beetle generator that looked like that, and I seem to recall our ‘63 was still 6v. Too bad the spare was missing, so you couldn’t show us that weird air connection between spare tire and windshield washer reservoir.

[@What.its.like.]

I totally forgot about that feature that the windshield washer runs off of the air from the spare tire.. lol Thank you for sharing those memories

[@jeffsmith846]

It must be a newer engine because that is an alternator not a generator. I had a 73 bug and it had the alternator that looked like this one.

[@lanedexter6303]

Aha! Thanks, Jeff. I’ve never been around VW’s newer than the 60’s. Makes sense. I’ve swapped 50’s pickups to 12v alternators.@@jeffsmith846

[@luisvelasco316]

WYR 1: Triumph TR4, though I'd probably take my selection of a rear air-cooled engine 1964 car as a Corvair. WYR 2: 1972 Type 145 TC would be great at a VW car meet.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Nice walk-around. It is indeed a beautiful design. But LOL: @6:16 IMHO, if the line in the front is perfect, it means that it's been repaired because I'd be willing to bet most Ghias had a dented nose some time in their lives. And looking at the hood fit on the car above, I'd say the front is NOT 100% original. 😁 I had a '62 Karmann Ghia in Boston back in the late 60s. It has so much rust that if a door was slammed, pieces of the fender would fall off - I'm totally serious. And, of course, it had a dented nose. From what I understand, since Karmann could not stamp out large pieces, they welded lots smaller pieces together which invited more rust than other cars. And rust sure loves the city of Boston!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with owning a Karman Ghia as well as the memories and the story. Greatly appreciated. I remember seeing video footage of them making Karman Ghia and they would use Bondo in a lot of areas from the factory because of what you said they didn’t have the technology to make one solid piece. I wasn’t able to find that video footage so I didn’t put it in this video. I plan on covering Karman Ghia again if I find that footage I definitely will. I just didn’t want the debate About it but I do remember seeing it

[@RIVERSIDEREVIEWS]

The grills in the front were for cabin fresh air btw. Not looks or engine. Least if I remember correctly. Was blessed to own a Ghia.

[@chuckmaxon3727]

I had a '67, fun car!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Most old VW gearheads will tell you, the 1967 model ye. was the best year in general...upgraded to 12 volt system, 1500 engine, etc....I personally liked the much more comfortable front seats, that showed up in 1968

[@What.its.like.]

It’s crazy it took Volkswagen that long to convert to 12 V. I also find it very amusing that they didn’t have reversible keys. The keys only went in one way.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

I had no idea some of these models went back that far.

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@PaulHerman-v2m]

You mention the type 3 wagon better known as the squareback and type 3 sedan which if I remember correctly was not sold in the US but I don't think you mentioned the type 3 fastback which was fairly popular.

[@PaulHerman-v2m]

Mr. Picky strikes again 😁

[@joeseeking3572]

Beautiful car for the masses. But more than a resemblance, it was pretyt much crib from Exner. But he condifered it a compliment; I don't have the quote at hand but the gist was that he was pleased his design could be enjoyed by so many. Imagine though if he'd gotten even a 1% royalty! There were always some KG's in the neighborhood growing up, but my experience was instead with a Type 3 fastback - which always seemed like a quality built car to me. These had the suitcase engine. WYR: 1) TR4 2) the notchback, cause you'd surprise everyone @ cars & coffee.

[@What.its.like.]

What gets me is a lot of websites don’t want to give Virgil Exner the credit for this design they want to give it to Luigi Segree or wihleem karman or there were other key players as well it’s not a carbon copy. The grill and rear sections are totally different, but from the side they looked very similar. I read that he received the very first Karman Ghia, Virgil Exner did as a thank you Awesome choices. Glad you dig this episode. =)

[@mikevale3620]

A very rough example of a Karmann Ghia. Yep a bit faster than a horse to 60, but not by much and with rubbery gearshift so you're never really confident of what gear you're in till you lift your foot off the clutch.I like the comparison between Exner's Chrysler designs and this VW.

[@billsmith-ms9pu]

Have owned many from the years, 57,,62.67and 71. Still have the 67. Hopped it up and will never sell it. If you find a good one , buy it! Never sell it

[@johnboydTx]

Baby Love by the Supremes

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah buddy hot88s23 just beat you for title

[@billhyde2303]

The notchback was never imported to the US as far as I knew.

[@What.its.like.]

Possible I couldn’t find a list of us market cars

[@61rampy65]

They were sort of a gray market car. So was the Type 34 Ghia, but mine had a speedo in mph, so not sure how that happened.

[@johanvangelderen6715]

Not officially imported. I understand that some of our military members owned them in Germany. Also that the military would pay to ship a personal vehicle back home. Import laws were less restrictive.

[@61rampy65]

@@johanvangelderen6715 That could explain the MPH calibrated speedo.

[@ghiajunkie]

​@@61rampy65 It's a british speedometer.

[@chrisjarmain]

Ghia type 14 for both. 😊 Cover a vw campervan.

[@johnboydTx]

Jay 😊 give the song Ripple by the Greatful Dead a listen 👍 Very Powerful 👏👏👏👏👏

[@What.its.like.]

Definitely will

[@automatedelectronics6062]

The back seats are not meant to be used by anyone but a small child. From personal experience as a 12 year old kid, you don't want to get into the back seat. Like almost any 2-seat car, insurance companies put them into a sports car class. 4-seaters are looked onto as sedans, so no extra premium. That's why the Porsche 900 series always had a back seats. The Karmann Ghia's often had a one-up over their Beetle brothers. They got front disc brakes. The Beetles never did, even all the way up to the 1980 Cabriolet. Heck, the "Bug" didn't get a curved windshield until the 1973 Super Beetles, and only them and the Cabrolet's to soon follow. It's sad that this Ghia has rust cancer. I'd be surprised if the floor pan wasn't rusted out. That carpeting sucks. All the VW's of this vintage, and for years into the future, just had vinyl floor coverings. For an upgrade, people would lay down Coco mats. I loved those! Put 'em in my Toyota Celica(eventhough it had factory carpeting). The only good thing is that the Ghia has been converted to 12 volt and has an alternator. In the engine compartment, the engine is missing it's heater boxes. Maybe this car has a gas heater, or had one? The rear pan is also missing from the engine compartment. Those are necessary, as well as the seals around it, to only let cooling air in through the vents on the engine cover. Without it, the engine will overheat. Out here in California, Karmann Ghia's are in high demand and command higher prices than you might expect. Convertibles are like gold! We don't have too many problems with rust out here. A Karmann Ghia like the one you are showing might get $3000.-$4000. out here, if the rust is only on the surface and can easily be repaired.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah, this one would be a great father-son project I had a 72 Karman Ghia it was in way better condition than this one. The heater boxes were hooked up ran and drove great. Interior was good. I put new stainless steel bumpers xenon headlights, which I had to cut the buckets a little bit for them to fit in. I wanted 14 grand for my car but after having it on the market for a year I took 7500 bucks for it. Needed the money. The market on those is really weird. They’re supposedly worth a lot of money when they’re restored but the problem is is when you have one that’s in good shape nobody wants to pay that kind of money for one or at least in my experience that was what it was… that was the hardest car I ever tried to sell Hell when I sold my 67 Mustang, I sold it to the first person that came to look at it and it didn’t even run and I sold it for more money than I got for the Karman Ghia

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@What.its.like. Yep. The secondary car market is very unpredictable. Like I alluded to, it matters where you are trying to sell an old car. A nice KG would probably get good money out here in California. Mustangs? Everybody wants a Mustang. Plus, running or not, many will build them up their way. Way back when, I remember all the counterfeit Shelby GT-350 Mustangs. Today, they would be called "tribute" cars, if the owner was being honest. The '67 Mustangs were cool. Still a Falcon at heart, but it was the first year that an FE engine could be shoveled in to them. If purchased with a 390, the Ford dealer could shovel a Cobra-spec 427 crate engine.

[@jotighe2]

cool, man. cool.

[@ronkemperful]

The shag carpet and the plastic vinyl on the doors unfortunately isn't original. The original carpet would have been a Berber style with closed loops and the material on the doors would have matched the seats with similar piping and leatherette finish, with map pockets. My VW Bug convertible was built by Ghia and had similar interior finishes to the Ghia. And the seats with the built-in headrests were not a feature until 1968 when required by law. The front frunk is also missing the cover that goes behind the instrument panel, and a liner as well. But Oh well, the car is 60 years old. It is interesting to compare the Karman Ghia with my Bug convertible which was 8 years older, in that the pedals were not that close together (the thick shag doesn't help!) and that the gas pedal was a round roller rather than a flat pedal. I had a manual choke, no clock and no gas gauge (a lever to switch between a 1 gallon reserve tank and the main tank was used instead). The ignition switch was on the far right of the radio. And, the heater knob is missing (I noted on your video a bare screw where it should be on the transmission tunnel). It is sad in a way how things disappeared on the car. Hopefully someone will give this car some TLC and bring it back to original condition. Oh, without the pipes hooked up in the engine there would be no way to heat the car, for the 40 hp engine used a 'clean air' system to route a feeble stream of heat into the cabin - my 56 Bug just used air blown over the engine with a baffle that opened and closed from the front heater knob, using the same cooling fan as the engine to distribute heat, so some exhaust fumes were expected.

[@5610winston]

Would you rather 1: I'd go for the VW for the styling and reliability. British cars of the period were a bit dodgy in that respect. On the other hand, the MG or the Triumph offer more power, more familiar handling characteristics, and better heaters provided your on-staff mechanic can keep the coolant in the cooling system. Would you rather 2: The type 14 was identified at the time as one of the ten most beautiful consumer products in the world by whatever sanctioning body was empowered to make such a call, but the type 34 gets my vote. In the four-cylinder sports car market and outside the parameters of your choices, the later sixties and into the seventies Opel Kadett based Opel GT would be my choice. Of course, The Loewy team's Studebaker Avanti takes my top prize as a 2+2 grand tourer. No body rust, but watch out for the frame.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices, reasoning, and insight behind those choices =) I will add the triumph, and the MG are tighter inside. The MG is probably the worst,

[@VintageCarHistory]

That kinda sounded like, 'Baby Love' from The Supremes

[@What.its.like.]

That’s it Yeah buddy hot88s23 just beat you for title

[@johnsaikaly]

I have a Karma Ghia type 14 but you have to see this to believe it. I rebuilt us because it had no interior so I made the floor out of Oakwood. That’s right it’s not a misprint if you want to see it you’re welcome. Just let me know.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

This car shown needs a lot of work...but at least it is straight and clean...my 1962 model, had an after-market header-glass pack exhaust. It sounded sporty, and was OK for two people. The engine was also the 40hp model...if I ever bought one now. I would absolutely convert it to 12V system, and install either a 1500, or 1600cc engine. It was kinda fun to drive, but you would not want to push it too hard, in the rain, or snow! But yes, that 25-32mpg was easily obtained, and the car was simple and reliable. But I mean, just imagine getting t-boned in an accident by a modern SUV!...I would never one one of these little vehicles now.

[@What.its.like.]

These with glass packs would sound interesting nothing sounds like an air cold Volkswagen they have a distinctive sound

[@chuckkottke]

I'll take all three! Was there room for the Porsche boxer engine in the Karman Ghia?? 🚗 🐞😊

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Lots of folks modified their VWs with Porsche engines!...double the hp, easily.

[@What.its.like.]

Yes =) There were also people in the comment section saying they put Corvair engines in them. Karman Ghia with Corvair power will be a match maiden in heaven, and I would think the only thing you’d have to worry about is the swing axle.

[@chuckkottke]

@@What.its.like. Thanks! I read the comment on swapping in a corvair engine, pretty cool 😎! My cousin Lee used to race Porsches on the tracks in Californian, although the whole drivetrain might be necessary in a conversion. Still a practical conversion because with a zero to 60 of almost a half minute, that could get dicey getting on the highway. I had a German friend who said he did get his Volkswagen bug onto the Autobahn in Germany, in the slowest lane, topping 80 mph! But he said it was something he only did once, just a little too risky. Thanks again Jay for the wunderbar automotive tour!! 😊

[@draggonsgate]

I was wondering if you were going to mention the body construction. From everyone I've ever talked with that had one of these that was their biggest complaint. You just can't swap out a fender. My bio-mom had a Fiat 850 Spyder, and this reminded me of it. Her husband had a VW Dasher, which I'm wonder if it was based on the 145TC? And... couldn't help but notice... what did my eye spy off to the side that begins with a "P".... A Panther Platform 🙂 WYR: 1) Sadly, my ample @$$ wouldn't fit comfortably in any of them, but the VeeDub for sure as a pick. 2) Type 34 Razor Edge. Never knew this car existed! Absolutely freakin' gorgeous! It looks a little bigger. Wondering how the fit would be?

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices =) As well as awesome information and insight I knew about the Karman Ghia being one piece because I had one good information to know

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice, when I walked to elenentry school in the 1980s, there was a red one at a house I walked by. 😀

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you for sharing that memory =)

[@drcandor]

'64 TR4 & Type-34 * In '66 i had a '63 MGB & in '67 i sold it to buy a '63 TR4a - the Triumph was by far the better sports car * It out handled the MGB hands down. . . :>/

[@What.its.like.]

I did an episode on a TR four, but I don’t think that footage survived for whatever reason I was really surprised at how small they are but a lot of European cars are like that frankly, if you’re over 6 foot tall you won’t fit

[@Racerkey999]

KARMANN-GHIA, dude, achtung!

[@richardwarren7492]

A few items. No, shag carpet is NOT factory, the interior door panels are not factory, The body color is not the genuine "Manilla Yellow" just close, the engine compartment is missing sheet metal, it also appears to have no heater boxes and the generator appears to have bee converted to an alternator, the front trunk is missing the covers over the fuel tank and behind the Instrument panel. With that outside color, the stock interior would have been black, not beige. The rims would have been the same color as the body that year, the shields are missing from under the push rods, as are the air deflector's, the coil is a fake Bosh coil, there are no tubes off the fan because there are no heater boxes, non original muffler setup, rust damage underneath and more. And asking 12,000? You'd spend that much and more to redo. Hint? Although the Type 34 was available in most countries, it was not offered officially in the U.S. any that you see were "Factory deliveries" or Military personell brought back or "grey market." Point in fact, many VW dealers would not work on them even if much was the same. The commercial was a great one from Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB). Take a real hard look at the 145 model - Lots of 911 styling cues. WYR 1: All 3 WYR 2: All 3. I've owned many VW's and worked at a VW dealer in 67-68 and had my own shop that worked on many the VW. This one is a terrible example - -

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing all that information and insight greatly appreciate it I couldn’t find a list of US market Volkswagen cars for 1964 .. I usually go to Classic Car catalog and it will tell me all of the models offered, but that’s only for the United States market. I tried to do that with this episode, and it gave me all the German models which were marketed different in Germany. Great choices This car would be a great father son project As far as the price goes, that’s what I wanted for mine and mine didn’t have any rust. The body was perfect interior was really decent as well. It had all original stuff I only got $7500 for my car… that was seven years ago I was hoping to get 14 for mine One of the biggest drawbacks to this car is if it has a lot of needs a lot of bodywork it will cost more money to restore it then it’s worth these are expensive cars to restore for what they are Mine painted it was yellow. I’m really hoping that I can cover it because I will tell the whole story show pictures and everything else. but I was looking for somebody just the sprayed my car back in 2015 2016 they wanted 15 grand just to spray it all the bodywork was done. I just couldn’t believe that kind of running into the same issue with my truck. They want $5000 just the clear coat which I think is absolutely insane… I got a quote for 3500. That’s the cheapest I’ve found so far I still think that that’s really high not taking anything off and taping everything realistically it’s half of a vehicle. It’s literally a cab hood and fenders.

[@richardwarren7492]

@@What.its.like. Today. It is not uncommon to cost $2,000 to 2500, or more for all the paint primer and supplies it takes to paint a car properly. In 1993 I had a 2 door Caprice Classic redone (faded badly) back to original color with a clear coat, by a friend who owned the body shop. Cost 3,000 that's 31 years ago. 3500 to 6000 is about average in the large cities with 10,000 not that far away either. It is not uncommon to cost $2,000 to 2500, or more for all the paint primer and supplies it takes to paint a car property today. I've done several restores, I wouldn't touch that particular Ghia with a 10 foot pole. I own a 73 911T Targa, from new other than tires, brakes, minor parts it's 100% original, the paint is fine, no rust. For giggles I asked about a repaint? 20,000 - -with no metal work. Of course that was removing everything, all the prep and the cost of the paint? 618.00 for a gallon 244 for the clear coat. 862 at cost before markup, no primer. That's American paint, if I went original German paint? 1,500 just for the paint. I wouldn't touch that Ghia with a 10 foot pole. You'd spend far more than original cost, that and the average Ghia sold for around 24,000 in far better condition in 2023.

[@joebutchko2223]

The Triumph! Without a doubt. Except I can't fit into it. So, I guess- forget it...

[@What.its.like.]

I reviewed a TR four I believe but I don’t know what happened to the footage it disappeared. I think it was on the card that crapped out. I’ll have to check. I don’t know if that video ever got posted… But it is incredibly tight in that car. It’s very similar to like an MGB pedal boxes, real tight as well and if you’re tall when you release the clutch your knees in the dashboard.

[@meganluke444]

That is a larger than original engine. Probably 1500 or 1600cc and 50ish HP.

[@ColtonRMagby]

WYR 1: All of them. WYR 2: All of them. I'd put a 2180cc engine with dual Weber carbs and an upgraded transmission in that baby.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =)

[@gc4408]

What will really blow your mind…… before Ghia sold the body to vw, they sold it to Ferrari, 1950 195 ….

[@retrobilly1719]

Hey Jay

[@What.its.like.]

Hey what’s up =)

[@markchodroff250]

1964 TR four, only because I had a 1961 MGA mark 2 in 1966 my second car . The Karman Ghia is a beautiful car but the driving position is questionable !

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices Having owned a Karman Ghia it’s not that bad driving position

[@georgestreicher252]

These cars were absolute rust buckets. The VW air cooled engine had solid valve lifters. One cylinder would get hotter than the rest and so that valve lifter would need to be adjusted a little differently than the rest. Apparently, my valves on my VW were not adjusted correctly and it destroyed the engine. It didn't make much sense to buy an underpowered unreliable VW when an American six-cylinder car had more power was just as expensive and more reliable. Oh, I almost forget, the heaters in these cars were abysmal.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

In the later 1960s, VW offered an actual blower fan to augment the lame heater...some of the early VWs had gas heaters, which were insanely effective...but in the USA, they were banned early on, as being a safety hazard. Probably true, but a friend of mine had a gas heater in his 1961 Corvair...it was amazingly efficient, and would heat up that car within a couple of minutes.

[@titagonzales9927]

Lindo y austero a su vez 🆗. 😕

[@richardcox3713]

Don’t forget the electric clutch.

[@What.its.like.]

I always thought that these were cable/rod

[@61rampy65]

@@What.its.like. They were. No VWs had electric clutches.

[@richardcox3713]

Called the Auto Stick. Mine was equipped with this system.

[@johanvangelderen6715]

​@@richardcox3713 Yes,their automatic transmission

[@What.its.like.]

This one doesn’t have an auto stick that didn’t come out until later i’m not sure if Karman Ghia even got that option I could be wrong. I’ve only seen them in Beatles.

[@Rockinbiker1946]

Well, being an owner of a restored '67 ghia convertible some things in your video need to be corrected. First, the color of the car on this video is not correct. VW never offered a metallic finish and never in gold. Second, the trim rings on the wheels are not correct. The correct trim rings would have had slots or holes to match the wheel centers. Third, the door cards on this car are wrong. They were never just flat vinyl and would have matched the seat upholstery. Forth, there never was shag carpet. They would have been a carpet loop in a color to match the seats.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing those corrections

[@adamryan7261]

The carpet and door panels are not factory.

[@brianchisnell1548]

Like to have a Ghia to match my '64 Bug.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet =)

[@clarencesmith2305]

type 14 and type 34 for me

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@clarencesmith2305]

@@What.its.like. I have seen a couple of the 34's up here in the Portland Oregon area.

[@nipperdawg1865]

Not a good example missing the spare, the heater, not omitted well, shag has to go, and looked like metal worm at right rear

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

This particular example looks like it was owned by Austin Powers ...a Tad over priced perhaps, unless it really was owned by him.🤪🥋👙 Shagadelic baby.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

tr4 and and 64 Karman

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@markchandler1130]

TR4 First Ghia

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@YuTbCensorship]

Small Peddles ? Maybe those Germans had Small Feet 😅😊

[@What.its.like.]

Probably

[@danielulz1640]

That poor Karman Ghia needs a full restoration. The interior is disaster and the quarter panels are rusty. Still, a cute car but an expensive project.

[@What.its.like.]

I’m hoping this year. I reached out last year to the family that bought the Karman Ghia that I owned. It’s the only car that I know where it is and they told me that I could do a review of it but never got around to doing it last year I’m hoping this year that off is still valid. It’ll be really interesting to see what it looks like. I haven’t seen it 7 years

[@61rampy65]

@@What.its.like. Wouldn't it be cool to get/see your old car again???

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I noticed that this car had an asking price of $12 grand!...it would cost at least that much to restore it.

[@61rampy65]

@@curbozerboomer1773Ghias in great shape go for big bucks, but, yeah, that rust repair may cost lots of $$$.

[@danielulz1640]

I did not see the asking price. Someone has high expectations!​@@curbozerboomer1773

[@JamesAllmond]

64 VW 64 Type 34

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@RjIONs]

I rather be shot than be forced to own any of the options.

[@What.its.like.]

Hahahaha Karman Ghia isnt a bad car and those cars are better than any Russian car from that time period

[@jrkat]

Triumph

[@retrobilly1719]

Tr4

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@timothysotelo3868]

I was a muscle car guy in the 70s and early 80’s. I drove Karmin a few times after getting out of my Charger RT and all I could think was why in the heck would some buy this ugly slow strange looking car. I guess some people liked them I would rather have my grandma 62 valiant over a Karmin back in 1979

[@What.its.like.]

I was going to add a Prius is faster.. it’s not about speed in this car. I think it’s about using all of it and not getting in trouble.

[@retrobilly1719]

Razor edge

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@ColonelBagshott675]

Buyer beware, full of rust.

[@What.its.like.]

.