1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Description

What if we told you that you could have an Italian styled, German built convertible for under 24 grand? It's not a joke or a stunt; this beautiful blue Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia is an awful lot of car for Hyundai money! The restoration was completed last year so it's as fresh as it appears in the pictures, and it's a dead simple, good looking car. Read on!

Volkswagen intended for the Karmann-Ghia to move them into a more upscale market than the Beetle ever could, and they contracted famed coachbuilder Karmann to build them a car based on a widened Beetle floor pan. Karmann in turn contracted Italian design studio Ghia to pen the design. Ghia is a full service design house that's no stranger to cars; they designed everything from custom Alfas to the Chrysler turbine cars. These cars are perhaps their most famous work, and this car's a fitting example. The exterior is freshly coated in Pastel Blue, an original 1970 color. It's a nice job, and since it was done only last year it shines like crazy. Karmann-Ghias got a slight makeover for 1970, with new wraparound front and rear turn signal lights. These are in excellent shape, and while larger than the previous year car's pieces, they did delete the round side marker lights that marred the fenders and quarters. The bumpers gleam in the sun and the glass is clear. The main enemy of any vintage Volkswagen (especially convertibles) is the tin worm, and good cars are separated from the bad by looking at the door gaps, and this car's in great shape.

Inside, there are plenty of new parts. Those are new seat covers, new door panels, a new carpet set, a new dash pad and more. With the extra width over a Beetle the Karmann-Ghia has a far more airy feeling, and it's well-appointed for touring. A new digitally tuned radio is in the woodgrain dash, though you have to look closely to see it's not a vintage unit. The extra-large steering wheel makes the car's relaxed purpose clear-the Karmann-Ghia is a boulevard cruiser and not a hardcore sports car. The convertible top white material works great with the blue paint.

Under the engine lid is a 1600cc flat four, rebuilt and well detailed. If you wanted a great reason to want a later car over an earlier one, it's in here. This 1600 puts out a whopping 60 horsepower while the early 1100cc cars made a total of 34! Now, some perspective has to be used here, as the Karmann-Ghia only weighs 1800 pounds, which gives a '70 model about the same power-to-weight ratio as a new Jetta. You're not going to win many stoplight grand prix but the car scoots along at highway speeds just fine. A rebuilt carburetor, new ignition components, and the stunning simplicity of a Volkswagen Type 1 engine means this car will run forever on any fluid more flammable than apple juice. Proper heat exchangers on the exhaust mean you'll be comfortable in most weather conditions while the rebuilt brakes with front discs do a great job of stopping such a light car. The custom, extra deep 15-inch wheels are chromed for some added flash and wear Michelin 195/60/15 tires that are a couple steps wider than normal.

Karmann-Ghias are cool cars, and clean ones like this don't roll by every day. Call today and take it home!