1973 Volkswagen Karmann GhiaSOLD

1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible For Sale

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RARE 'SPORTS GHIA' MODEL!! - ORIGINAL 63K MILES CALIFORNIA 1973 VOLKSWAGEN KARMANN GHIA CONVERTIBLE!

Reference Number 127428

as of 5/23/2011

Overview
Car 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
VIN 1432622834 
Exterior / Interior Color      Yellow /      Black 
Mileage 63,200 miles 
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Known History

West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and great daily driving example of this 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible with only 63K original miles!

 

We have been informed by some enthusiasts that this car is one of the rare 'Sports Ghia' models, the only special edition Ghia built through the production run. Apparently there are less than six that have been identified from the original production run! The original black stripe kit and correct wheels are missing but otherwise the car is 'all there'! There are plenty of blogs on the model available online including on 'The Samba' but here are some of the basics:

 

In 1973 the Karmann Ghia's sales were slumping due to more sophisticated competition and a mostly outdated platform. VW of America (VWoA) wanted to try to increase sales for the Karmann Ghia and produce a limited 'Sports Edition' run of the Ghia that was similar to the 'Sports Bug'. The 'Sports Bug' was a special edition Beetle sold in 1973 in either 'Saturn Yellow' or 'Marathon Silver' with a black stripe kit, rallye wheels, special Recaro styled seats and a thick padded sports steering wheel. VW (VWAG) of Germany killed the 'Sports Ghia' shortly after its production started due to internal politics and consequently there were only a very few built and there is little factory documentation on these cars. These models were built in coupe and convertible forms and only sold in the U.S.A. and they were all painted 'Saturn Yellow' with a black stripe kit, shared the same wheels and steering wheel as the 'Sports Bug' but they did not get the Recaro seats.

 

In 1957, the VW Karmann coachwork Osnabruck's assembly line built 105 Karmann Ghia Convertibles which was a landmark design of it's day in ragtop simplicity compared to contemporary British roadsters! VW advertising made much about Karmann's almost hand construction methods, which included filling, filing and sanding all seams before painting. A delicate blend of old-world German craftmanship and Italian soul, this car proved that sports cars were as much about style and grace as they were about performance and almost twenty years later on 7/31/1974, when VW halted production, it had proved to be one of the all-time best selling and most loved sports cars in the world.

 

This particular example is an original southern California always rust free car which was treated about four years ago to a full exterior repaint in its original factory Yellow color paint, but without the black stripe kit being replaced, and the car was given all new rubber seals and new chrome bumpers! The engine was dropped and serviced and the convertible soft top, front suspension, brakes and wheel cylinders were all replaced too! The carburetors and the electrical system were recently overhauled too.

 

Owned for over 20 years by only its second southern California owner, it is also extremely rare in that it still retains its all original interior which is in fabulous condition throughout for its age. This particular car must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - a seriously striking example which turns heads wherever she goes! The engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and no noticeable oil leaks and which sounds absolutely magnificent and the transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.

 

The car is also extremely rare in that it proudly boasts its original floor pans and indeed has probably rarely seen rain, apart from the very unusual Los Angeles sprinkle it received whilst having its photos taken last week!

 

This must be one of the nicest rust free examples available anywhere of this increasingly collectible and desirable of late model Karmann Ghia convertibles with only 63K original miles in it's original and highly striking original color combination in turn-key ready daily driving, daily head-turning, and daily appreciating condition!