Who knows what about Karmann Ghias?

[Bill Douglas]

I've been thinking about Karmann Ghias recently and would really like a cabriolet one. I wouldn't drive it a lot, it would just be nice to have around and I think they look pretty funky, especially the cab's.

Unfortunately the cabriolets in right hand drive are fairly rare out here in NZ, so I might have to see what's for sale in South Africa.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Don't know too much about them but my dad does. Although he doesn't do computers. I'll try to find out any info I can from him if you have questions. He had a 72 cabrio since 77. Unfortunately he sold it two years ago. It had 42000 miles, original EVERYTHING! He was the second owner. First owner only put 5k miles on it. I was SO mad at him for selling it. On the positive side, he bought a 911 to replace it. He sold it for a rediculous price. The guy that bought it knew it too. He came with cash, and asked my father how much he would sell it for. My dad said, "well I really don't want to sell it but since I advertised it for X, I'll sell it for that and no less." The guy immediately gave him the cash and was gone. He knew he stole that car. Still makes me cringe when I think about it. I have many good childhood memories of that car.

In highschool I used to wait till my parents were sleeping and roll it out of the garage. It has a monza exhaust so it was really loud. I would roll it down the street and then start it. I would usually (try to) pick up girls with it. It got a lot of attention. I never told my dad about that, I'm sure he would get a kick out of it if I did.

[Bill Douglas]

Wow, it would have been nice to hang on to the family car, especially with that low milage.

I know so little about them I don't have any questions, but I understand everything under that curvey body is ordinary beetle stuff?

[Zeke]

Ordinary beetle stuff. Just another body bolted to the pan.

[johnco]

Actually the Ghia has a different pan than the beetle and a little more HP. I had a coupe many years ago but cut it up to make a dune buggy like the idiot I am. I have a 74 convert now with auto sitting in my back yard I've been dreaming of rebuilding for many years. it's sitting right next to my 74 Thing that needs rebuilding also. which is sitting next to several buggys and another Thing, which are sitting next to several other projects in need of rebuild. anyone want some cars?

[JavaBrewer]

Sorry I don't have any practical information to offer except that from the 4-5 Ghia owners I've known - the "derigur" in ownership is not just one but having 3 examples, all in various states of disrepair, on hand, preferably parked on your front lawn. Seriously, maybe parts are hard to come by, but people pick up multiple cars with the intent of cannibalizing 2-3 to end up with a single complete & working copy. Good luck, they are cool looking cars.

[johnco]

catalogs can be found offering just about any part you could need. I have them selling anything from weatherstripping to body parts to complete engines. I definitly wouldn't turn down a couple parts cars though. hmmm, fender flares all around, chop the windshield, wide tires.. way cool car for cheap. I might have to add that old one I found in someone's back yard recently to my collection of junk

[widebody911]

Ask ///Mink - he probably knows more about KG's than all of us put together

[john70t]

I almost bought one, but sitting in it felt like stuffing both feet in a coffee can after dropping ass first into a hole.
The cabs are truely gorgeous, but can get pricey all the same. Definitly VW cheap and simple.

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks guys, LOL, other than having more spare parts cars around the place to join the spare parts Toyota's and the spare parts SC, they sound good.

I'm thinking they may hold their value nicely if I buy a good one. I like the look of them non-standard and so low they are almost dragging the floor pan around. I should be able to maintain it ok as I've had three VWs before (four if you count the 911).