1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia in Mesa, Arizona

Vehicle Description

Beautiful, affordable, and a precision built... all the things that made you want a 1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupe when it was new is only amplified on coupe like this where someone has taken the time to restore it properly.

There is a simple formula for a great classic European car - if you want style, go to the Italians; and if you want quality, buy German. But only a few companies were smart enough to do that, and the budget-friendly VW was one of them. The legendary design house Ghia seemed like they wanted to elevate Volkswagen's status as they mixed rounder corners with very muscular edges. The precision builders at Karmann were able to take this dream and make it into metal. It is truly rolling art. And the recent application of bright yellow really draws attention to all the elements of the unique design. Plus, the restoration budget wasn't just spent on paint. The bumpers, trim, and window/door rubber all have the feeling for a solid investment, which helps give a stellar presentation to this budget classic.

The interior looks just as fresh as the exterior. The camel color is a nice hue that looks good in modern times. And we particularly like how they took the time to get the piping on the carpets to match the seats and door panels. And speaking of the seats, this one has a nice combination of vinyl for the high traffic areas and comfortable cloth for where you sit (that's especially helpful on warm days.) The upgrades continue with a Pioneer AM/FM/cassette stereo. And the driver feels particularly sporty with the Grant GT three-spoke steering wheel and sports shifter. But even with all of these upgrades, this coupe never loses the solid feeling that comes from a well-build VW.

When you check out the engine bay out back, the 1600 cc air-cooled flat-four should be instantly recognizable to VW fans. And besides knowing about the restoration on this car, you can tell from the orderly appearance that this has been maintained properly. Just like the Beetle, the performance was not meant to be record-setting. But there is there is a eutrophic moment for the driver that comes when you take full control of the four-speed manual transmission. And since the 1600cc was the largest VW displacement from the series, it feels a bit nippy in the lightweight Ghia. Plus, upgrades like front disc brakes and large 15-inch Minilite-style wheels contribute to a truly livery feeling on the road.

Complete with build receipts and maintenance records, the Karmann Ghia was born out of the idea of looking like a million bucks but paying far less. Today on the vintage market, this well-presented example is ready to turn even more heads for a value price. That's why we know something this affordable and nice will be leaving us quite soon. Call today!!!