VW Karmann Ghia: The sportier Beetle.

Welcome to Auto Chatter! Todays video focuses on the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Not many cars have had a German and Italian name! Lets see a little on how it came to be and how well this beautiful car fared in the market. There is a little chatter about the Porsche 914 and Karmann Ghia type 34 too. If your a fan of aircooled VW's like I am, be sure to explore my channel as I have videos on the Type 1 Beetle, Volkswagen Thing, VW Type 2 Microbus, and the Dune Buggy too!

[@davidryan573]

I’ve got a ‘74 Ghia, I’ve had 10+Beetles, I didn’t realize there was only 7700 the last year, there’s something about the Classic Volkswagens that just makes smile. Thanks for the information I consider myself a VW nut and didn’t know half the information.

[@autochatter]

Thank you! I've always been a air cooled fan since I was a kid, but I often learn a few things myself when researching a new video.

[@SimiNelsonFamily]

I just finished the body work on my ‘68 Karmann Ghia. Lots of rust repair and a small amount of dents and dings. Much more challenging than my ‘68 bug. Thank you for the informative video.

[@autochatter]

Your welcome and enjoy that project! Sounds like the hard part is behind you!

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Good job - you certainly did your homework. I'm glad I found your channel. You hit the nail on the head about the body work. One big problem with that beautiful "one piece" body was that, as Karmann did not have the resources to make large stampings, it was put together from smaller pieces. This created lots of spots where rust could start. Plus, I'd bet that practically every Karmann Ghia in the world has had its nose repaired at some time. I had a '62 Karmann Ghia in Boston during the early 70s. It had so much rust that if you slammed the door, a piece of the fender would fall off. I'm being serious. But I loved all the VWs I had when I was younger - as well as the GTI I have now! ;)

[@autochatter]

Thank you! Yeah a friend of my mine years ago had a air-cooled junkyard and VW repair shop.He helped me put together a few dune buggies I had. I never owned a Ghia but saw plenty of sections cut out with a sawz all because of the body design. Appreciate you finding me. I have done other air-cooled models too if you haven't checked them out yet. GTIs are cool. My previous car was a 15 WRX.

[@A.R.77]

8:50 ~ That's just so beautiful. Driven on nice days by a responsible person would be an amazing day.

[@gc4408]

As a Karmann Ghia owner , another one that I didn’t even know, the Ghia body was first used by Ferrari as a front engine car, then it was used by Chrysler , then it became the Karmann Ghia as we all know by VW

[@autochatter]

I didn't know that either!

[@boatshaughie2841]

I have a 1970 convertible cherry bomb red and love it, its a auto stick!

[@autochatter]

Nice!

[@dangerusscurvs4709]

I own a 67 Ghia. It needs bodywork but I love it anyway. 😊

[@autochatter]

Yeah..Ghias are a little trickier with the bodywork LOL. I love them too!

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

I really like the classic design of these. Thanks for another informative video.

[@autochatter]

I appreciate it! I'm gonna bet you won't say the same of my next one LOL. It has Italian styling too though.

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

@@autochatter haha ok I’ll be on the lookout for it.

[@iplaymytele]

I have a 1971 Karmann Ghia, Sedan…. It is my Daily driver…! It Can be seen on ( The Jeff Galey Channel ) KZbin ….👍🏻

[@autochatter]

Awesome! I will check it out. I used the same shifter in the last dune buggy I had and I love the leather straps in the back!

[@RajaReign78]

I wanted a Karmann Ghia or a Volkswagen Thing to be my first vehicle, unfortunately I have a sensory disorder and can’t drive a stick shift. I also never was able to find a stick shift automatic version of these. To this day I still would love to have one of these vehicles.

[@autochatter]

Yeah a Ghia with Autostick has to be super rare. Even a Beetle with them can be tough , and some people converted them to 4 speed manuals over the years.

[@richardellis69]

Great work! Keep it up!

[@autochatter]

Thank you!

[@johnhash6417]

I have a 1969 Original with only 29,000 miles on her. Currently in the shop having the original seat covers being replaced.

[@autochatter]

That's awesome!

[@P_RO_]

The Ghia was and is a beautiful car in a classic kind of way, but when you get inside and drive it's quickly clear that it's still essentially a Beetle, just in better clothes. I always believed that if somehow they could have upgraded the performance and interior styling by an equal margin the Ghia would have sold much better. Another thing that hurt it was that American had been duped by the "Big 3" into believing that you had to have something totally new and different every few years which ran counter to VW's policy of leaving well enough alone. Another 'issue' was it's height, more specifically the lack of it. Remembering how big American cars were back then you felt vulnerable in a Ghia, which indeed you were compared to the behemoths all around you. Add to this that there were few independent mechanics who were any good with imports back then and you'll see why it never reached it's potential here. Too late, it's finally getting it's due as the price for a good example is now stratospheric in comparison to other classic VW's.

[@autochatter]

Many valid points! Close to half a million "niche" vehicles sold during its lifetime, so I wouldn't say made it a flop or anything. The Type 34 Ghia kind of was. Given its price versus performance, I probably would have opted for a Beetle then instead. Italian styling would not have been enough LOL. I don't find what potentially was to replace the Karmann Ghia, the 914 nearly as beautiful. But it would have been stronger on the performance side than a Bug then.

[@ignaciozermeno2278]

The Karmannghia was very successful to be produced for 19 years with small changes throughout as well as other VW models like the Beetle. As far as for design , beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Karmannghia has been called the most beautiful VW has produced. Many call it the poor man's Porsche. As for quality, VW did not use low quality materials in those days. The question is why did VW get stuck producing low power autos during those years ? The original Porsche's used VW engines that where modified to have more power. In the sixties the California look was in and regular VW enthusiasts gave their VW's more power with no huge expense or effort. Why didn't VW since it was always a criticism of their product and finally a reason to discontinue the Ghia and really all their air-cooled models.

[@autochatter]

@@ignaciozermeno2278 Thats very valid points! I have a friend that built alot of high performance vw air cooled engines. He would tell me they were alot more powerful than stock...but dont expect to get the same life out of them LOL. The Karmann Ghia was a beautiful design.

[@iplaymytele]

I have a 1971 Karmann Ghia, and I am pretty familiar with their history….. I don’t really think a almost 20 year run, ( with very little body changes ), Is what you would call a Bad production due to it falling Out of Popularity….! In fact…, the Karmann Ghia was extremely popular , right up till when they stop making them in 1974…..

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Love the one in Once Upon a time in America that Pitt had. They put a Subaru engine in it.

[@autochatter]

A Subaru flat 4 is a nice swap for aircooled VWs.

[@dangerusscurvs4709]

Didn't know about the 914 and 924...

[@autochatter]

If you look at a 914, I can see how its kinda like a newer Ghia in design.