"The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia combined the chassis and mechanicals of the Type 1 Beetle, with styling by Italy's Carrozzeria Ghia and handbuilt bodywork by German coachbuilding house Karmann. More than 445,000 Karmann Ghia’s were produced in Germany over the cars production life, not including the Type 34 variant.
This type 14 Karmann Ghia ‘lowlight’ is a stylish classic 2+2 coupé, offered in the subdued, yet appealing, hue of Agave Green with pale green vinyl and grey cloth interior. Powered by the numbers matching, 1.2 litre, flat-four, coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. The original purchase invoice issued on 3rd June 1959 from Merryweather’s Volkswagen in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa is still with the vehicle. The car then remained in the same family until 2019 and has now been in the possession of its current UK based keeper for three years. Apart from a repaint, this car is in extremely original condition. The vendor believed 95% of the correct original nuts and bolts are still fitted to the car and states the body has never been removed from the chassis.
The interior of the car, although it shows some discolouration from age and use, is mostly in great original condition. It has its original 1959 steering wheel, the vinyl is still taught on the cards and panels and the door pockets are as new having retained their elasticity and not stretched. The front carpets were replaced with charcoal versions however, the rear carpets and trunk area are still the original tan German square weave. Importantly, the heater channels which normally rust are all solid and the original 1200 engine runs beautifully and is very reliable. We are informed the car recently completed a 1,600km trip over ten days without a hiccup. Apart from basic service parts and oil changes the motor has not been changed or modified at all, however a recent in-depth overhaul of the suspension and braking system with a number of rubber seals having been replaced is detailed in the paperwork. The car maintains the original six-volt electrical system with generator and rides on a set of steel wheels with Volkswagen branded polished hub caps.
The originality continues with original Sekurit glass, windscreen and all windows. Original spare key with very rare factory key tag, original Bilstein jack and tool roll with tools. The history file shows the original South African registration certificate, early road licenses up to 1961, various change of ownership documentation and original brochures and dealer pamphlets. This Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a characterful classic coupé, featuring re-sprayed Agave Green paintwork and offered in solid, unmodified condition. Having been cherished by the same family until 2019, it has since been imported to the UK from South Africa, and would make a good, usable companion to its next owner, with the potential to become a particularly impressive example with some relatively minor cosmetic restoration work.*Interested parties should note that this vehicle is not currently sold with a V5 registration document. However, one has been applied for by the vendor with the DVLA and should arrive in due course.
Guide Price £20,000 - £28,000
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