Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Cabriolet | 1966

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Cabriolet | 1966

Highlights:

– 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, manual transmission

– Complete restoration carried out, according to the seller

– Cabriolet bodystyle, one of the rarer Type 14 body styles

– Italian styling by Ghia, coachbuilt by Karmann in Osnabrück

The seller offers for sale this 1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Cabriolet, powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a manual transmission. The seller describes the car as having undergone a complete restoration. It is a Cabriolet, the open-top version of the Type 14 that was added to the range in 1957 and that remains considerably scarcer today than the coupé on which it was based.

The Karmann Ghia was born from an idea by the coachbuilder Wilhelm Karmann, who wanted to place a sporty Italian-styled body on the tried-and-tested mechanicals of the Volkswagen Beetle. After Volkswagen initially turned down Karmann’s own designs, the project was handed to Luigi Segre of Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, whose proposal was approved by Volkswagen in 1954. The result, known internally as the Type 14, was unveiled in the summer of 1955 and combined a hand-finished, Italian-designed coupé body with the dependable rear-mounted flat-four engine, torsion-bar suspension and four-speed manual gearbox of the Beetle. A cabriolet version followed in 1957, and both body styles remained in production, with periodic mechanical updates, all the way through to 1974. Over that long run, engine capacity grew in stages from an initial 1192 cc up to 1600 cc, the size offered on this example, while total German production reached around 445,000 cars, of which only some 80,000 were cabriolets.

The appeal of the Karmann Ghia lies precisely in that combination: a genuinely elegant, hand-built Italian design wrapped around Volkswagen’s famously simple and easy-to-live-with air-cooled running gear, giving owners sports-car looks without sports-car complexity. In cabriolet form, with its low, flowing lines and folding soft top, it remains one of the most sought-after air-cooled Volkswagens among collectors, and a completely restored example such as this one offers a straightforward route into ownership of one of the prettiest cars Volkswagen ever sold.

Condition of the bodywork & paint

4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.

Condition of the interior

4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.

Technical condition

4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.

Overall condition

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.

We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.

All auction vehicles offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.

Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.

This vehicle comes from a private collection and is currently located in the department of Creuse, France.

This vehicle drives, brakes and shifts.

The vehicle has a United States registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.

The description of this vehicle is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the vehicle from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.

Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible vehicles to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.

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