Claimed to have only 49K original miles and needing some TLC, this 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a for-real barn find and not just another old car slapped with that moniker. It appears to be in OK shape so let’s take a closer look. This sporty-looking VW is located in Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania and is available, here on craigslist for $2,500. Thanks to T.J. for this tip!
The Type 14, as the Karmann Ghia was known, was introduced in 1955 and stayed in production through 1974 so our subject car was built, in Germany, near the end of its marketing life. The most obvious feature that sets this example apart from others is the inclusion of five MPH, federally mandated bumpers both fore and aft. Generally, an item that doesn’t graft aesthetically to a small car, the rammers work in this instance as they’re not too intrusive. The very faded finish is showing signs of a possible repaint over yellow based on the under-bonnet image. But then again, the entire engine compartment was finished off in green, so maybe not. Rust has settled in afflicting the driver’s side quarter panel and the top of the driver’s side fender in the headlight hood. There is a smattering of surface rust in places too. I would suggest to anyone that is interested in this Ghia, that they request images of the passenger side – none are included.
Not looking much like a VW Type I (a Bug), a Karmann Ghia sounds and runs like one, when operable, which we are told this example isn’t. It’s powered by a 46 net HP, 1600 CC, flat-four-cylinder engine attached to a four-speed manual transaxle. It is said that this 49K mile vehicle “Was running a few years ago, but not currently running“. The 46K mile recording is based on the odometer reading. There is no documentation, and frankly, the entire package looks more like 146K miles.
The interior, what can be seen, shows signs of distress, the driver’s seat looks as if a varmint of some kind took a hunk out of the driver’s seat back and there’s some other kind of dreck that has been sprayed upon it. It’s hard to be any more informative as there’s no description and the image isn’t very revealing.
With just under a half-million Karman Ghia’s produced, and millions of VW Beetles too, finding parts to engage the needed TLC should not be an issue. These are simple machines, inexpensive to own, with a fun-to-drive quotient. This example is cheap enough, but the devil is always in the details and one may want to consider a thorough inspection before committing themselves. Barn life can sometimes be considerably more difficult than anticipated, wouldn’t you agree?
This one looks to be all there which is big hurdle as parts are getting harder to find for the Ghia. Most likely rust in the pans and heater channels but at $2500 it’s a steal and won’t last long.
Bought a new one of these in 72 that was blue. Loved the car. Had to part with it as part of a divorce settlement. Would love to have another one. Still looking for one that isn’t all rusted out that I could restore myself.
In 2009, I bought a 1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet for the low price of $500. The price reflected the rust, which took your breath away, plus the interior was shot and the engine seized. Even though I have experience restoring air cooled Volkswagens, I quickly realized this was above my ability and interest. I sold it two weeks later for $2,100 to a restoration shop. The owner said he would have paid far more as he has clients seeking this model and will pay top dollar for a perfect car. I was glad to get what I got. I never saw the finished car, but did go on the shop’s website and their work was impeccable. They are fun cars, but the rust…oh the rust!
Should this be 60hp?
Not in ’73. 40-47 bhp depending on emissions.
This is the car so many of the Porsches should have been. A much better car in my opinion.
?
Have a ’69 Ghia now and had a ’65 912. I find the Ghia more fun and with two kids easier to live with. On the other hand I cannot think of anything that the Ghia does better than the 912, except perhaps that working on the Ghia is easier because the tolerances are so much looser. The 912 is a tank for robustness and the Ghia is a buggy for the fun.
On a track I was faster in the 912 than a 911 due to my driving skill. Cannot imagine what I would have to do to a Ghia to get it to handle like a 912.
To be clear. On a track I was faster in the 912 than a 911 due to my LACK of driving skill. The 912 is much more forgiving.
Two carbs and an up-cam should do the trick!
I don’t think that’s the original engine. Note the second, smaller pulley on the crank. Maybe to drive a smog pump? I’ve never seen a T1 with one, and my brother & I have rebuilt several. Perhaps Cali emissions?
No, I think that engine at the very least is period correct. Smaller pulley was probably a dealer a/c pulley
The small pulley may have been there to drive an air conditioning compressor.
A ‘69 Ghia was my daily driver until I took out the interior and started rebuilding the suspension last month. Of course I was only going to change one little thing, then two, then while the seats are out might as well recover them, and put in sound deadening, and what about that squeak in the back while I get in and out working on the floors, should replace the spring plate bushings, which is close to the rear and have meant to put in that rear sway bar.
Yep, love the Ghia. Just need to find a cure for upgradeituse.
RUST RUST RUST….no need to say more than run
RUST… RUST… RUST….no need to say more than run
I just sent a screenshot to my brother who lives in PA . told him to buy it wash it and post it on bring a trailer he would double or triple his money
My neighbor had a convertible Ghia sitting in his garage for years. Super straight, no rust, just needed interior and a buff. Kicking myself for not offering him low ball dollars. He sold it years later to pay for a DUI, I know I could have stole it from him and wouldn’t have felt bad. Dang.
As an air-cooled VW enthusiast for the past 35 years and all-around classic car nut, we truly now live in an “alternate universe” of classic car pricing and foolish spending if this fetches $2500 let alone people saying it is a “steal” or can be “flipped” by buying as-is and re-sold for more money.
To be honest, while I await “normalcy” to return to our beloved hobby that will come with the next economic downturn and as a result the market of classic cars (from projects to survivors to restorations) will get corrected by the frantic sell-offs that always follow tough financial times, this “alternate universe” of classic car pricing has me beginning to wonder if I should sell off my collection of air-cooled VW’s as well as my American iron (all purchased at a time when classic car prices were affordable and reflected fact that they were 30-50 year old cars) and take up another hobby instead.
Maybe our beloved classic car hobby that I have enjoyed all my life is now, as the old saying goes, “too rich for my blood”?
Don’t give up. Have had offers of stupid money for my Ghia. The prices will come back down to earth. The money offered no matter how stupid is no where near the enjoyment I get out of working on the car with my kids, their smiling faces when we ride around with the windows down.
Remember the hot wheels garage that you spent hours and hours playing with as a youngster?!
Well , you are not that young boy anymore , your needs have changed
As we age , our needs also change and its normal that you assess these from time to time
My friends were sure that i was depressed when i sold off my cars
They now understand why i chose to
I took the money cause it doesn’t need a garage to store it and doesn’t need maintenance!
But i invested all in real estate and haven’t worked a steady job for years
I get monthly revenue
Dont be scared of change
Yolo
I am so with you Eric on your comments. I owned many classic cars from the time I was 18. My first a 68 Firebird, then a 65 Stingray, 69 Z-28 and Followed along with 2 more C-2’s, and 8 other Camaro’s including a Z-11 Pace Car. They were expensive in their day, I paid $5000 for my 65 Stingray coupe in 77 and $12000 for my 64 roadster in 84. Well, you know the story, I got married and had 6 children and did without any cars and bikes while we raised our family. Now, just retired, I can’t even afford a project car which I have the skills to restore. The same with classic motorcycles. I can’t even afford to buy the parts to complete a painted set of bodywork because of the insane prices being asked by everyone who is just making a fast buck. At some point I will just have to give up wishing for something to actually drive and enjoy for the sake of nostalgia. Sad prospect!
Steve courchesne =francais ?
My opinion is that values of collectibles max out (with some exceptions like rare Ferraris) as the generation that could not afford the car when it was new come into their strong spending years – e.g. age 40-60. Then interest wanes as that group of people head into their late 60’s and on. You can kind of validate that by attending a cars and coffee meet and see what age group is showing which cars. The 60+ people are showing old English sports cars and American muscle cars. The younger generation are into newer cars – ‘old’ WRX STI’s, etc. There are plenty of exceptions to this idea, but I believe that if a person is age 60 plus and has been collecting for a long time, they should consider liquidating while there is a market. I am about finished selling my collection of vintage racing bicycles before they are completely worthless.
Uh….?
I recently traded a FV for a Ghia with a 13 yo restoration with full intentions of flipping it but changed my mind. Fun little car and very reminiscent of a couple of 356’s I owned in the early 70’s.
I question the green doghouse. Implies it was painted while engine out and the compartment painted over that yellow. Always saw black doghouse on VWs when I worked on them at an authorized dealer in the ‘70s.
Now this looks to be an affordable toy! Easy to work on and wouldn’t take much to have it on the road again. Too far away to consider. Great little cars!