1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Equipment

Black paintwork, Beige basketweave vinyl upholstery, Black mohair soft-top, 1493cc engine, 4-speed manual transmission, Hood tonneau cover in black with ivory piping, Polished wheel beauty rings and hubcaps, and Dual circuit brake system with front disc brakes, Gloss black dashboard, Original steering wheel with horn push ring, Period VW head unit with auxiliary input, Dash speaker, Analogue clock, Lockable glove compartment, 12v charger socket, Gear shift lock, Padded sun visors, Front and rear seatbelts, Spare wheel.

Exterior

Beautifully presented in its original black hue this has to be one of the finest right-hand drive Karmann Ghia convertibles available today. A UK specification example that has seen remarkably few owners in its 56 years, the car was treated to a full nut and bolt restoration that commenced in 2015. This work was carried out by a VW-approved body shop who began by stripping the entire car back to a bare metal shell. Not only was the body was separated from the floor pan – a length to which few Karmann Ghia refurbs are taken – but every weld point was examined and then remade to the exact spec and location as they would have been from the factory. A few years on and the car still looks fantastic; the paintwork is deeply glossy, the soft-top is undamaged, and the brightwork has a lovely mirror shine.

Interior

A striking contrast against the black, the elegant 60s interior feels very special indeed. The original steering wheel is retained along with the switchgear and dials but the seats have been re-trimmed and new carpets have been fitted for an immaculate finish. A period VW head unit remains in place and for modern convenience it’s fitted with a discreet aux input; the audio cable is accessed from inside the glove box where a handy 12v charger socket has also been installed. There is another storage compartment behind the rear seats but the main ‘boot’ area can be found under the bonnet where the spare wheel and tool kit are both present and correct.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

The 1493cc flat-four delivers a modest 53hp and yet the Karmann Ghia is still surprisingly swift. Out on the road the engine feels strong while the 4-speed ‘box allows effortless smooth gear selection. The engine bay itself is just as clean as the rest of the car and is further testament to the meticulous restoration work that was carried out a few years back. A couple of thousand miles later, in June 2023, the car was treated to a full shakedown and tune-up carried out by our local air-cooled VW specialist at a cost of £2,100. For additional peace of mind we have just had another inspection carried out by our trusted classic car workshop, the VW requiring little more than a replacement battery in preparation for sale.

History File

This exceptional Karmann Ghia was manufactured to right-hand drive specification in April 1968 before being delivered new to the USA a couple of months later. After a few years with the first owner the car was exported to Ireland where it remained until 2015. It was then imported into the UK and treated to a complete body-off restoration to original specification. The accompanying History File comprises a thick raft of invoices and documentation dating back to the mid-nineties, a selection of MOT certificates, restoration photographs, a reproduction sales brochure, and the current V5C registration document showing only 3 former keepers. All in all, a collector-quality example of a rarely seen model. Presenting in stunning cosmetic and mechanical condition the car comes freshly inspected, ready to be driven and enjoyed.