Thanks for sharing your beautiful survivor. These cars were not always valued. In 1967 I was in the 9th grade, and was able to purchase a black 1956 KG for $1. The fan belt had broken and the owner just wanted it gone. This was an early example, had had the roller gas pedal, the fuel tap selector on the firewall, and optional multi band Becker radio. I clearly remember sitting in the car listening to the news that war had broken out in the Mid East. As I was too young for a driver’s license, I spent many hours building trails through our woods to create an off road course. The KG excelled at this with the rear engine design weighting the rear wheels for traction. I eventually broke a shifter fork in the transaxle by speed shifting. Soon I had the car up on a home built wooden lift and was able to replace the broken part without removing the engine and transaxle. This was to be my first VW product, and led to a long association and ownership of perhaps 50 more. The KG impressed with a high level of build quality and a very sturdy body structure relative to competing European makes. The light weight and aerodynamic shape not only pleased the eye, but was a very efficient form allowing the 36 hp engine to push the car to 75+ mph while delivering excellent fuel economy. I have owned several Porsche 356 series cars, and the KG is a worthy approximation at a far more affordable price. Both cars share much in chassis and powerplant design. In fact it was fairly common in the 1960’s before the VW twin port 1600 cc engine arrived to swap in a Porsche 356 motor to build a sleeper. I sold my KG for $275, thinking that I had done well. Looking back, it was one of my favorite cars of the hundred or more that passed through my hands.
I appreciate a great deal the way you have masterfully presented all the material gathered on this KarmannGhia in such a Special manner. You have an innate talent, very skillful eye and almost uncanny way to execute a project of this nature with undeniable Grace !
How great that is! I asked Ricky about it, and he said it was an original color of the day but not often found on vintage KGs. Thanks for your comment.
Volkswagen company was doing well selling the vw beetle in Germany and Europe after WWII , as well other coach companies where having great success using the vw engine and chasis and creating lovely made to order automobiles for their coach companies or famous people. The first 356 porsches ran with vw engines as well with beetle parts for the interior. Schwimmwagens. Hebmullers cabriolet. Dannenhausrer. Beutler. Rometsch Lawrence. Rometsch Beeskow. Denzel. Heinrich Nordhoff who ran Volkswagen was not pleased about vw engines and chasis being used by other companies. He stopped the sale of vw engines and chasis and wanted a more upscale sporty model for their VW line up. He asked company Karmann who designed the VW beetle convertible and Italian company design Ghia to colaborate and with designs turned down for the Chrysler De Elegance re configured to create de VW KarmannGhia in 1953. Production began for the VW Karmannghia in 1955.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful survivor. These cars were not always valued. In 1967 I was in the 9th grade, and was able to purchase a black 1956 KG for $1. The fan belt had broken and the owner just wanted it gone. This was an early example, had had the roller gas pedal, the fuel tap selector on the firewall, and optional multi band Becker radio. I clearly remember sitting in the car listening to the news that war had broken out in the Mid East. As I was too young for a driver’s license, I spent many hours building trails through our woods to create an off road course. The KG excelled at this with the rear engine design weighting the rear wheels for traction. I eventually broke a shifter fork in the transaxle by speed shifting. Soon I had the car up on a home built wooden lift and was able to replace the broken part without removing the engine and transaxle. This was to be my first VW product, and led to a long association and ownership of perhaps 50 more. The KG impressed with a high level of build quality and a very sturdy body structure relative to competing European makes. The light weight and aerodynamic shape not only pleased the eye, but was a very efficient form allowing the 36 hp engine to push the car to 75+ mph while delivering excellent fuel economy. I have owned several Porsche 356 series cars, and the KG is a worthy approximation at a far more affordable price. Both cars share much in chassis and powerplant design. In fact it was fairly common in the 1960’s before the VW twin port 1600 cc engine arrived to swap in a Porsche 356 motor to build a sleeper. I sold my KG for $275, thinking that I had done well. Looking back, it was one of my favorite cars of the hundred or more that passed through my hands.
I appreciate a great deal the way you have masterfully presented all the material gathered on this KarmannGhia in such a Special manner.
You have an innate talent, very skillful eye and almost uncanny way to execute a project of this nature with undeniable Grace !
Many thanks
This is exactly same color with my Karmann Ghia! Nice looking car! Greeting from Japan
How great that is! I asked Ricky about it, and he said it was an original color of the day but not often found on vintage KGs. Thanks for your comment.
Quite interesting story behind this looker, what a modern day rival this would be in today's market!
Thanks for a very interesting video. By the way, Porsche is pronounced "por shuh", not "porsh".
Good to know!
Volkswagen company was doing well selling the vw beetle in Germany and Europe after WWII , as well other coach companies where having great success using the vw engine and chasis and creating lovely made to order automobiles for their coach companies or famous people.
The first 356 porsches ran with vw engines as well with beetle parts for the interior.
Schwimmwagens.
Hebmullers cabriolet.
Dannenhausrer.
Beutler.
Rometsch Lawrence.
Rometsch Beeskow.
Denzel.
Heinrich Nordhoff who ran Volkswagen was not pleased about vw engines and chasis being used by other companies. He stopped the sale of vw engines and chasis and wanted a more upscale sporty model for their VW line up.
He asked company Karmann who designed the VW beetle convertible and Italian company design Ghia to colaborate and with designs turned down for the Chrysler De Elegance re configured to create de VW KarmannGhia in 1953.
Production began for the VW Karmannghia in 1955.
A deeper dive into the background of this car. Great input and history! Thanks for sharing.
Design is similar to Chrysler's K310 Dream Car , also by Ghia .
Interesting point. Thanks for adding to the conversation!👍