Karmann Ghia (Type 14)
Italian sports car design combined with a slightly widened Beetle floorpan produced by Karmann in Osnabrück – this was the magic formula for one of the most beautiful cars of the 1950s: the Karmann Ghia (Type 14). Designer Luigi Segre (proprietor of the Italian coachbuilder Carozzeria Ghia S.p.A.), Karmann and Volkswagen wrote automobile history with the coupé presented in 1955 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. In the fall of 1957, the coupé was followed by an equally breathtaking cabriolet. For the first few years, customers had to be satisfied with 30 PS. In 1959, there was a minor facelift, followed by the Saxomat semi-automatic transmission in 1961. In 1971, the Karmann Ghia Type 14, which now had 50 PS, received wider chrome bumpers, larger rear lights and the instruments of the 411 E. Production of the “small” Karmann, which is now more coveted than ever before, only ended in 1973 (cabriolet) and 1974 (coupé).
Karmann Ghia (Type 34)
There are historic Volkswagens that are as rare as a Bugatti and as expensive as a classic Porsche. These include the “large” Type 34 1500 Karmann Ghia. Volkswagen presented this model at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 1961 with a stylish body designed by Ghia of Turin. The “four-eyed” front end gave the coupé a distinctive appearance and the rear end is reminiscent of contemporary American models. The technical underpinnings came from the Type 3 family. The large Karmann was discontinued in 1969 after eight years of production. Only 16 cabriolets were produced, and this version is especially valued nowadays. Virtually priceless is the Karmann Ghia Type 34 fastback coupé, only one of which was produced– the near-production prototype now forms part of the Volkswagen Classic collection.
