This 1970 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia is selling at no reserve, with bidding well under $1,000 at the moment. While some pundits go a bit over the top in their estimaton that these cars are rapidly appreciating, it is certainly one of those models where it pays to find the best one you can buy. This car may not be it, but it appears mostly solid and looks straight going down the sides. Even better, it runs! Find the Karmann-Ghia here on eBay and located in Virginia.
The seller notes some rust repair in the floors has already taken place, and that otherwise, it is largely solid. There has been one repaint in the past, and likely in an attempt to match the original green paint. The result seen here is far darker / duller, and the left-over factory paint on the floor of the hood area gives you a sense of how bright the OEM paint was when this car was new.
Thankfully, this isn’t a dreadful Autostick car. The interior doesn’t look terrible, but the seat cosmetics could use some work. Carpets appear to be non-existent, and the door pockets are sagging. Although it runs, the seller says, “….brake pedal locked up. I haven’t driven the car so I don’t know about the transmission.” While unlikely anything is terminal, I’d assume some level of inspection could be done to confirm if the clutch engages like it should and the stick at least slides into each gear without nasty crunching.
Karmann-Ghias had an air of sophistication not found in the rest of the air-cooled VW lineup. Pictures aren’t great, but I love the little details here, from the Wolfsburg horn button to the tiny Quartz clock to the wood dash veneer that surrounds the gauges. The seller has the basic details right, noting the fair cosmetics and running condition. The price is also more than fair for a runner without terminal rust, and bidders seem to agree.
I always loved the Karmann Ghia until I sat behind the wheel of one and couldn’t see over it. I still love the shape. One thing I’ll say about air cooled VW projects, never be dissuaded by drivetrain or engine issues. You can get whatever you need in a week and have it installed in a day, and for not too much money. Almost everything else is easy to get too. Maybe some day I’ll get a Ghia and put a riser under the driver’s seat…
“Even better, it runs!”
Of course it runs, it’s an old school VW! Remember the 200 year old VW bug in “Sleeper”? Naturally, it started right up!
Good thing he covered up the rear plate –
someone might want to steal it.
I know sooo small minded or paranoid.
My all time favorite Ghia!
Ahhh…Molly Ringwald….sigh…💕💕💕
This looks like a reasonably solid basis for a restoration or hot VW-type build.
I’ve got a soft spot for VWs, ever since I built my first one when this Karmann Ghia was new.
This looks like a worthy project, I’ve owned three Ghias and only 1 was worth saving. Almost all of them will have some rust but so many suffered fatal rusting. Too bad because they do have style! I have another custom Ghia planned but it is too soon…
I’ve owned 3 myself, all 3 had body filler in the nose!
I flipped a convertible once a guy restored completely. He took it out for a drive and ended up with an engine fire.
He was so pissed he sold it to me for 1500 bucks. A quick engine fix, repainted the rear engine cover and compartment, and gave it to my ex.
I think she still has it.
Hey, the Autostick isn’t bad if you know how to fix it. Had one in my ’69 Bug in college and was pretty reliable. All the parts are available for that trans now which is more than I can say for back in the mid 90s when I had mine.
A non-running VW doesn’t bother me. I once bought a bus that had been sitting for 3 years less than 100 yards from the ocean. “Ran when parked.” After 30 minutes I had it running. Then took the rims to a tire store for a $50 set of used tires. Followed by driving it 250 miles home. I had to make it home before dark since the headlights weren’t working. The salt air had a large impact on the electrical connections.
Seems to me the biggest concern is the lack of a title. That may be much harder to fix than any rust or mechanical issues.
Title issues are grounds for a discount, but it’s generally not too hard to get a new one. It just costs a bit of time and money.
(another) one that got away: many years ago a convertible Ghia arrived here in the rust belt – from California. It was a daily driver for a few years then proceeded to die a slow death in a field next to the barn. Every time I see one of these things, I wish I would have saved it.
Love VW’s! I’ve had 3 Ghias, about 25 Bugs and 11 buses. Not much is cheap on these cars anymore, I remember the days of going to the Bug Out in Manassass Virginia and you’d see running 1600 DP engines for $350.00! Not today! I still love them though, I even have a VW tattoo.
I’ve owned and rebuilt more air cooled VW’s over the last 45 years than I can remember. Probably the easiest cars on the planet to resurrect from rust, neglect ugliness etc..
That being said, I’d pass on this one unless the seller were to send or post a LOT more photos of the undersides. Especially since they had it on a lift. Which is pretty remiss on the seller’s part.
It’s always best to know what you’re getting into before forking over the cash.
Even though these are easy to rebuild it’s always better to know and see as much as possible before buying any vehicle at auction. I’ve only gotten lucky on one vintage eBay buy from a long distance. Been burnt once too… not again.
PS: Depending on the state you’re in, getting a new title is fairly easy as long as the vehicle isn’t stolen and you’re okay with paper shuffling.
Old VWs are the perfect first restoration project. You can learn pretty much any skill you will need without jeopardizing a big investment.
A couple of hours from me. Alas no time to check it out.
VERY close to me, I was tempted and willing to go $3,000.00 and it sold for $2750.00. What held me back is that I am currently living in a townhouse and have 3 cars and motorcycle already. Somebody got a good deal, wish it could have been me!