Volkswagen Karmann Ghia by Gunze 
|
"The Karmann Ghia was a sports car marketed by Volkswagen, designed by the Italian firm
Ghia, and built by German coach builder Karmann. Over 445,000 Karmann Ghias were produced between 1955 and 1974. Collectors
estimate that there are fewer than 20,000 Karmann Ghias still registered around the world. Of those, fewer than 2,500 are cabriolets
(convertibles). With the declining number of unaltered Karmann Ghias still on the road, the value of these cars has and continues
to increase.
In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was producing small, fuel efficient, reliable automobiles (like the Volkswagen Beetle). As the world recovered from World War II, consumers began to demand more stylish and elegant vehicles. Executives at Volkswagen decided to produce an "image" car for post-war buyers. Volkswagen contracted with German coach builder Karmann to build this car. Karmann in turn contracted the Italian firm Ghia for a sports car design. Ghia took an existing, but unused design (originally intended for Chrysler or Studebaker) and modified it to fit a slightly modified Beetle floorpan which had been widened some 12 inches. |
The body and nose of the Karmann Ghia were handcrafted and significantly more expensive to produce than the assembly line produced Beetle, which was reflected in the Karmann Ghia's higher price. Instead of being bolted together, like the Beetle, body panels were butt-welded and smoothed prior to English Pewter being applied and hand shaped and smoothed. No auto manufactured today uses such a time-consuming and expensive approach to building automobiles. Indeed, even at the time the Ghia was built, only the manufacturers of the finest cars took such care when building a car.The design and prototype were well received by Volkswagen executives, and in August 1955 the first Karmann Ghia was built in Osnabrück, Germany. Public reaction to the curvy Karmann Ghia was excellent, and over 10,000 were sold in the first year, exceeding Volkswagen's expectations."
This information found: Wikipedia Encylopedia
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Susan Dietel
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Used Cars for Sale. Karmann Ghia Parts, Service Shop Repair Manuals. Karmann Ghia for
all years 1955 - 1974.
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