1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Description

Affordable, interesting, and reliable – you usually don't get all three in a vintage convertible, but this 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is an Italian beauty wrapped around the loveable Beetle's drivetrain.

From the moment you lay eyes on this convertible, its appeal is as clear as black and white... literally. The gloss on the white body is the product of an investment in at least one professional respray during this car's lifetime, and the black folding top has a sung fit that makes this car look good even on rainy days. But beyond the colors, a Karmann Ghia has the appeal of graceful lines and muscular curved rear fenders that live in perfect harmony thanks to the legendary Ghia design house. The Italian styling was then put to metal by Karmann, so you get the same Teutonic tightness as the Beetle convertible. The slender chrome bumpers are in nice shape, the VW hubcaps still have a mirror-like presence, and all the unique trim pieces shine up well, making this a car that still grabs attention where it goes (and it even comes with a trunk full of trophies to prove it!)

As much as we like the car with the top up, it was truly built to be open to the world. The interior proves this point with a deep shade of brown that looks so good against the white paint – in fact, you often see this color combo on modern droptops. The vinyl bucket seats present nicely, which tells you the car was never left out in the sun, and there's even a rear seats for occasional use. The brown carpeting feels fresh, and it coordinates nicely with piping to match the seats and door panels. The steering wheel, large VDO center gauge, and gearshift should feel familiar to VW enthusiasts, which is just another reminder that this stylish convertible has some nearly indestructible components beneath the skin.

When you check out the engine bay out back, the 1600 cc air-cooled flat-four should be instantly recognizable to VW fans. It looks well maintained in this tidy engine bay. While this motor looks refreshingly stock, there's a large catalog of affordable components that make maintenance and upgrades a painless process. Of course, this largest VW motor from the series, so when you combine it with the complete control of the four-speed manual transmission, it feels a bit nippy in the lightweight Ghia. The experience behind the wheel is all smiles and, you'll get plenty of nostalgic looks as you cruise around in this award-winning droptop.

A Karmann Ghia is a great looking and easy-to-run convertible. So when it's this affordable, it's also irresistible. Call today!!!