Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1200 Cabriolet 1967, Alemanha

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1200 Cabriolet 1967, Alemanha

Fotografia

Recognised almost as readily as the immortal Beetle itself, and with a cult following all of its own, the Karmann-Ghia was, in its maker's own words: "A Volkswagen for people who can't stand the sight of a Volkswagen". Hand built by Karmann at its Osnabrück works, VW's top-of-the-range coupé married a modified export Beetle floor pan, running gear and engine/transmission package to stylish coachwork designed by Carrozzeria Ghia's Luigi Segre. The concept first appeared at the Paris Auto Show of 1953 and entered production in 1955 in 1,200cc form.
The Karmann-Ghia kept abreast of mainstream Beetle developments, gaining all-synchromesh transmission and progressively larger and more-powerful engines as time progressed. A cabriolet appeared in 1957 and in 1959 the car's front end underwent a subtle restyle with raised headlamps and enlarged nose intakes. The Karmann-Ghia was an immense success in the USA, where the majority of the circa 445,000 produced found homes.