hypothetical ? - Karmann Ghia vs Opel GT

[jyl]

GT for me. Drop a hotter motor into it!

Ghia is lovely car, but needs engine and who knows what else.

[911boost]

Have you priced out a Raby type IV lately?

Ouch.

[Tobra]

Get the Raby kit and build it yourself

Originally Posted by KC911

Neither ....

You probably knew...but someone mentioned on some thread that the Mercury Capris were German made....who knew?

Your search for a 6 cyl version should begin now....a red one !

Get a clean one with a 4 banger and drop a small block Ford in it, bolts right up

[Brando]

I would definitely choose the Ghia! I had a 1973 as my first car, was a blast to drive.

[Deschodt]

Have never driven the Opel so I'll stick with commenting on the Ghia.. I restored a 65 cab and owned it for many years, taught me all about wrenching, and also drove a friend's 69 coupe many times also... They are pretty cars, great fun projects, simple to maintain, again very pretty... But to drive ? Honestly they are $hit. Slow, so-so brakes, not much handling, and death traps in stock form... I don't mind death traps that handle, but it really depends on what you get into... If you mod everything then maybe yeah, not sure it can be made to handle like a unibody car but maybe (mine handled like a wet noodle despite perfect pan/new suspension). Back then (early 90s) a real nice Ghia cab was $5000 and a decent 356 was $10K. I switched to 356s and the handling and driving feel blew my mind...

I'd love me another ghia project, especially a 50s one because I'm fond of it's simplicity and lines, but not as something fun to drive. They aren't, really. Cool. yes, fun, meh... The opel might have more potential in that regard ? Dunno...

[asphaltgambler]

Dunno - but the lady's t- shirt looks like a couple of badgers want to escape

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Rather have the Ghia....a classic look that still is attractive.
Just wish they had more power. The Beetle had more guts.

They used the same engine. Getting more power out of an air cooled VW isn't hard.

[911boost]

Agree Gambler.

Insert motorboat gif here.

[asphaltgambler]

Much more interesting if there wasn't something containing those ...

[stevej37]

I've seen at least 6 Opel GT's up close. Every one of them was the same orange color.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Get a clean one with a 4 banger and drop a small block Ford in it, bolts right up

Well...that rules out the red 4-banger POS I occasionally drove in college. The other was a nice silver 6.....and he wasn't about to let anyone drive his...he knew us too well

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

But to drive? Honestly they are $hit. Slow, so-so brakes, not much handling, and death traps in stock form...

The Karmann Ghia was never meant to be a sports car, and shouldn't be thought of as one. The running gear is based on 1930s technology, and a Ghia will never be able to compete with cars that are/were designed from the ground up as true sports cars.

Most cars from the 1950s and '60s could be considered 'death traps' by today's standards.

Back then (early 90s) a real nice Ghia cab was $5000 and a decent 356 was $10K. I switched to 356s and the handling and driving feel blew my mind...

That was then, this is now. At today's prices, you can buy 4 or 5 very nice Karmann Ghias for the price of 1 driver-quality 356. And as nice as 356s are, they drive like a buckboard compared to modern 'sporty' cars.

I'm fond of it's simplicity and lines, but not as something fun to drive. They aren't, really. Cool. yes, fun, meh...

The OP didn't say that he was looking for performance or great handling, but rather just something to play around with. With a little effort and a modest amount of $$, a Karmann Ghia can become a much more entertaining little car to drive, as long as you respect it's limits and drive accordingly. This is especially true of the later models ('69 & up) with ball-joint front suspension, disc brakes and IRS. And as already mentioned, there's a huge support network out there, with parts being readily available from a well-established aftermarket. Not sure the same can be said for the Opel.

[rfuerst911sc]

Good discussion going on here , as expected lots of love for the VW . I am going to set the brakes for now , I am all over the emotional index on what cars I might want to add to the stable .

A 914 would be nice I will keep my eyes open for one . On the other end of the spectrum a hot rod with a V8 could scratch my itch . For now I will enjoy my Boxster and keep thrashing her in the mountains 😁

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by rcooled

That was then, this is now. At today's prices, you can buy 4 or 5 very nice Karmann Ghias for the price of 1 driver-quality 356. And as nice as 356s are, they drive like a buckboard compared to modern 'sporty' cars.

In the early 70's Car and Driver did a comparison of a stock '56 Speedster and a new, stock Karman Ghia. The title of the article was something along the lines of:
"The New Porsche Speedster is --- A KARMAN GHIA!"

An early 70's Ghia would run rings around a stock 66hp Speedster.

[Chocaholic]

Always liked the idea of building up a Factory-Five AC Cobra. Up to now life and time have not been supportive.

[Chocaholic]

Just sayin’

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Just sayin’

Now yer being practical

[pwd72s]

Neither...a size & comfort thing for me. Even if well sorted out and running good, I wouldn't fit inside well.

That said, I'd go for the Opel GT. Just loved their mini Corvette looks when they were new. Not that I thought the Ghia was bad looking.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Just sayin’

Believe me I have had a Cobra poster in all my garages over the years. Yeah that would scratch an itch quite well 😀

[IROC]

Originally Posted by tcar

No, actually, it is based on the little economy Opel Kadett, not the very nice Manta.

You're right. My bad.

I did a lot of work on mine when I had it. I was a college kid at the time and had no money, but it was the car that started my character flaw of modifying everything I own. I put a Weber carb on it, sport shocks and modified the exhaust to remove the primary muffler and only ran the resonator at the back. It sounded great. I went super-radical and put 175/70-13 tires on it! I also painted it myself.

Fun car.