1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible, Red, LOOK!

1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible

If you want a classic Volkswagen but are not interested in a Beetle, come by MotoeXotica Classic Cars to check out an alternate version - this 1972 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible. This particular example was made in May 1972 in Osnabrück, West Germany.

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was a sports car marketed in 2+2 coupe and convertible body styles. The Karmann Ghia combined the chassis and mechanicals of the Beetle with styling by Luigi Segre of the Italian design house, Ghia, and hand-built bodywork by the German coachbuilder Karmann.

Finished in Bahia Red (code 13), the car's paint and trim are in overall very good order with just a few blemishes visible upon close inspection. The vehicle's windows are in very good shape, clear and crack-free, while the car's lights are also intact and haze-free. This two-door coupe rolls on Kelly Metro tires, size 165R15, surrounding eight-spoke aluminum wheels. Both tires and wheels look great.

The car's bodywork is solid and straight. The bumpers look great and fit well to the car. The trunk and engine bay are in good order and there is a metal luggage rack above the rear hood.

Under the hood is a tried and true flat four-cylinder engine with dual Solex one-barrel carburetors mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

Inside, the black leatherette (code 50) interior is in overall good order. The bucket seats are in very good condition, the matching carpet looks good and the instrument panel with its padded top, is in overall very good condition with some blemishes visible. The factory four-spoke steering wheel looks good, as do the mirror glass panels and shift lever. The inner door panels look very good. Rounding out the interior is a Kenwood AM/FM stereo with cassette deck.

The Type 14 debuted at the October 1953 Paris Auto Show as a styling concept created for Ghia by Luigi Segre.

In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was producing its economy car, the Type 1 (Beetle). With an increase in post-war standards of living, executives at Volkswagen proposed adding a halo car to its model range, contracting with German coachbuilder Karmann for its manufacture. Karmann, in turn, contracted the Italian firm Ghia, which adapted styling themes previously explored for Chrysler and Studebaker to a Beetle floorpan widened by 12 inches. Chrysler head stylist Virgil Exner claimed that the design was his, based on the 1953 Chrysler D'Elegance.

In contrast to the Beetle's machine-welded body with bolt-on fenders, the Karmann Ghia's body panels were butt-welded, hand-shaped and smoothed with English pewter in a time-consuming process commensurate with higher-end manufacturers, resulting in the Karmann Ghia's higher price.

The design and prototype were well received by Volkswagen executives, and in August 1955 the first Type 14 was manufactured in Osnabrück, Germany. Public reaction to the Type 14 exceeded expectations and more than 10,000 copies were sold in the first year.

The Type 14 was marketed as a practical and stylish 2+2 rather than as a true sports car. As they shared engines, the Type 14's engine displacement grew concurrently with the Type 1 (Beetle), ultimately arriving at a displacement of 1584 cc.

In August 1957, Volkswagen introduced a convertible version of the Karmann Ghia. Exterior changes in 1961 included wider and finned front grilles, taller and more rounded rear taillights and headlights relocated to a higher position - with previous models and their lower headlight placement called lowlights. The Italian designer Sergio Sartorelli, designer of Type 34, oversaw the various re-stylings of Type 14.

In 1970, larger taillights integrated the reversing lights and larger wrap-around turn signals. Still larger and wider taillights increased side visibility. In 1972, large square-section bumpers replaced the smooth round originals.

American industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague included the Karmann Ghia in his list of the world's most beautifully designed products.

Competition to this Volkswagen in 1972 included Porsche's 914.

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 533 miles not believed to be actual. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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VIN: 1422691997

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