1969 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible

Highlights

Immaculate car in virtually concours condition subject to nut and bolt rebuild in 2011/2012 and less than 1,700 miles since completion
Restoration cost £10,000 in parts alone, excluding labour and paintwork
Totally standard example of this practical four seater classic convertible
Show-winning car carefully maintained right down to the last detail
Attractive colour combination of Zinn silver over ivory
Desirable RHD car with fully restored interior
Matching numbers car with original engine and chassis
Substantial history file including photographs of the restoration
Karmann Ghias are very popular and rare to find in this condition in RHD
MOT and tax exempt

The Appeal

The Karmann Ghia cleverly spun out its sturdy Beetle mechanicals in a stylish, upmarket direction that won the car many admirers and gave it few direct competitors. With four-seater practicality and decent handling it remained in production for 20 years, demonstrating the essential rightness of this largely hand-built convertible’s design.

Later cars stuck to the aesthetic formula but usefully benefitted from more power. This beautiful 1969 car is one of those, a 1600cc convertible that has been subject to a comprehensive, documented nut and bolt restoration that cost £10,000 in parts alone. It has covered less than 1,700 miles since and so remains in immaculate condition, the paintwork and interior being near perfect and carefully detailed. It has been off the road for the last eight years but its remarkable condition indicates it will require little recommissioning.

The Karmann Ghia is a practical four-seater convertible with a vibrant enthusiast scene. This is a rare opportunity to buy a concours- standard RHD model in an attractive colour combination. And just in time for summer too.

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The History And Paperwork

First registered on 28th February 1969
UK registered on 1st September 2004
With the Seller since full restoration in 2011
VIN records confirm this is a 1969 car
Thick history file of invoices exceeding £10,000 for restoration and maintenance work since 2011 and photographic record of restoration
Photographs of winning trophies from classic car shows
Last MOT expired on 23rd April 2016 but the car has only cover only 214 miles since

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The Interior

Cream/ivory faux leather vinyl interior in immaculate unmarked condition, including the door cards and dash top
Carefully detailed during restoration right down to the new pedal rubbers
Excellent carpets throughout including the boot area
Lovely wooden Moto-Lita steering wheel and chrome gear knob
Period correct radio
Useful rear seat provides space for up to four

In good condition and neatly detailed, as here, Karmann Ghia interiors are a wonder of simplicity and style. The silver and cream colour combination of this car suits the aesthetic particularly well, giving the interior a light and airy feel that almost smells of exotic seaside destinations like Monaco and Cannes.

The interior of this car is immaculate. It has clearly been restored to a very high and detailed standard. The switchgear has clearly been replaced and even the pedal rubbers are new, and also unworn thanks to the limited use since that restoration.

The cream vinyl seats and door cards are in excellent condition and have been carefully detailed to replicate the factory specification. The same is true of the stylish dash top roll, with its carefully cut speaker grille. There is even a period radio fitted and chrome-topped gear knob.

The only deviations from standard is a lovely wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel.

The photographs of the car do not reveal any marks or deterioration, which feels remarkable for a car of this age carrying an older restoration. In the interests of completeness – and perhaps to highlight how good the car is – the only marks are some very light pitting in the chrome bezel of the speedometer (which reads in miles).

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The Exterior

High quality silver metallic paintwork in superb condition
Chrome bumpers with period correct nudge bars
Karmann Ghia bodywork was largely hand-shaped in the factory to a high standard
Black mohair hood in 'as new' condition with just a small break in the rubber window trim
The car won Best in Show awards in 2013 and 2017

The Zinn silver metallic finish of this car accentuates the svelte lines of the Karmann Ghia. These cars were finished to a high standard, with much hand crafting, by Karmann and require careful restoration. The excellent shut lines and panel fit of this car indicates the level of that work.

Photographic records in the history file indicate that the car was restored following its arrival in the UK in 2004 during 2011 and 2012 by the Seller. He has invoices totalling over £10,000 for parts alone. The process involved removing all rust and replacing panels as required. Adding labour and paintwork would likely push the cost of this work well above £20,000. The car has been off the road for the last eight years and has therefore covered very few miles since the restoration work. These photographs show that it won best of show awards in 2013 and 2017.

The paintwork is in extremely good condition with no marks visible in a detailed examination of the photographs. It is nicely complemented by the car’s whitewall tyres equipped with beautiful chrome rims. Factory correct chrome bumpers complete the picture with attractive nudge bars. The bar on the front bumper has a small dent in the nearside.

The black fabric roof is in good condition, just a small break in the rubber trim on the nearside lower corner of the window detracting.

The underside of the car reflects the bodywork being in very solid condition with no obvious deterioration. The last MOT unfortunately expired in April 2016 but the car has only covered 214 miles since and that test showed no structural advisories.

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The Mechanics

1594cc air cooled Volkswagen engine
Exhaust, carburettor, coil, distributor, leads, plugs, push rod tubes, clutch and battery replaced during restoration and covered minimal mileage since
4spd manual gearbox
Thick story file and photographs indicate that the engine may have been rebuilt
We understand from the Seller that this is a matching numbers car

Part of the appeal of the Karmann Ghia, apart from its sumptuous bodywork, is the simplicity of its mechanicals, which of course it shares with the Beetle. Parts are easily and fairly cheaply available and everything is generally durable and reliable.

This car was restored in 2011 and 2012 and has covered very little miles since. We understand from the Seller that it has been off the road for the past eight years. The remarkable condition suggests that it will require little recommissioning but the buyer may wish to factor in a service before putting it back on the road.

The Seller states that this is a matching numbers car. As a 1969 model it is therefore fitted with the later, more powerful 1600cc air cooled engine. The photographs, including those of the history file, suggest that it is original but has been fully rebuilt. The engine bay has been carefully detailed. We were unable to verify the mileage but it is supported by MOT records back to 2006.

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Summary

Few cars combine the style, practicality and sturdy reliability of the Karmann Ghia, which explains their long production run and their enduring appeal on the classic car scene.

Standard and immaculate examples like this one are rare and it looks particularly good in its silver over cream colour scheme. The condition indicates the sort of fastidious owner you want when you buy a classic. It has covered only less than 2,000 miles since all that work. As summer rolls around this car looks hugely appealing and a distinctive way to enjoy trips out with family and friends.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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