1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

1966 VW Karmann Ghia – GFX 574D

When it's last owner listed this car for sale it was described as 'The best all-original Karmann Ghia you’ll find.' Eleven years later, that probably still holds true. With only a light patina, the car’s condition is outstanding right down to its dealer-supplied number plates.

The bodywork is completely unmolested, unrestored, undamaged and there is no rust anywhere on the car. The panel gaps are likely close to how it left the factory in 1966.

It has original mats and seats, unmarked glass is original all round and the interior is pretty much immaculate as can be seen in the photos.

Mechanically it is sound, with good suspension, steering and all ancillaries working exactly as they should. With new oil every 500 miles so far in my ownership it runs smoothly and will maintain 60 mph all day if needed and can reach 70 mph on a motorway... although it does take a while to get there!

There has been no remedial work on the car at all, but I have continued the conservation and strictly dry-use only, as it has no underseal, so sees no wet weather. The slight improvements that I have made have been to replace the headlights with 6V H4 units (keeping the original sealed-beam Westinghouse Items with its large collection of spares), to refurbish the horn, the wiper system (and screen wash switch with a NOS item from Germany), change the oil and replace the engine seals.

It represents a rare opportunity to acquire a true time-warp survivor, ready to be cherished by its next discerning collector - and will be particularly desirable in the buoyant European mainland market. It is almost too good to use… almost! The fact that it is virtually museum quality means that I can't justify keeping it in my storage, hence the reason for sale to the right person.

Completed on 28 April 1966 and shipped to San Francisco, this Karmann Ghia began its life at Wes Behel Motors of Sunnyvale, California, where it was purchased new by Jerome A. Kolkin—a meticulous NASA technical advisor believed to have worked on the GEOS A satellite programme in 1965. Finished in Lotus White with Black leatherette upholstery, it left the dealership with the $35 whitewall tyre option and a suite of no‑cost period features including a padded dash, sunvisors, windshield washers, four‑way flashers, outside mirror, dash clock and passenger grab handle.

Kolkin’s fastidious nature shaped the car’s story. He kept it in continuous use for nearly five decades, documenting everything and amassing an extraordinary archive of notes, invoices and Volkswagen literature. When advancing age finally persuaded him to part with it, the Ghia travelled to Britain with its second owner before being offered for sale once more.

What makes this car truly special—and the reason I bought it—is its remarkable originality. Still unrestored and structurally untouched, it has covered just over 108, 000 miles on the dry inland roads of California, preserving the crisp factory seams, straight panels and honest patina that restorations can never replicate. I purchased it at H&H Auctions just before Christmas 2025, becoming only the third registered owner since new. Over the past nine months, during our exceptional summer, it has been out regularly and has added a further 1, 000 miles—all of them a pleasure.

The documentation is nothing short of phenomenal. The original Wes Behel Motors wallet still contains the instruction manual, service book, Bendix radio manual and customer receipt. Kolkin’s invoices span from the late 1960s to the early 2000s, accompanied by collectible Volkswagen publications such as the * Ghia Gold Portfolio 1955–1974* and a 1993 issue of * Dune Buggies & Hot VWs*. His handwritten notes, combined with post‑import paperwork, MOT certificates and a Volkswagen authenticity certificate, form a history file that is as charming as it is comprehensive.

But my favourite thing about this classic isn’t just its condition or provenance—it’s the ownership experience. Classic VW people are wonderfully enthusiastic, and this Ghia attracts nothing but warmth wherever it goes. Waves, smiles, conversations at petrol stations—everyone seems delighted to see it. There’s a universal affection for a car like this, and that sense of shared joy is what makes owning it truly special.