As for the cultural legacy, the American director Quentin Tarantino, among others, liked the Karmann Ghia. The car first appeared in the movie Kill Bill 2, where Uma Thurman drove it. It is said that the car wasn’t working very well at the time, so it happened that Uma crashed it on a dirt road – and that’s when she almost killed herself. And yet she did not want to go with him and wished to leave the precarious work to the stuntmen, but Quentin convinced her and later regretted the consequences as one of the worst things that happened during his career.
Quentin did not forget the elegant convertible, and 15 years later he reminded the audience of his style in the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). There, Brad Pitt was already on a rampage with him, who skidded the shabby blue car through the streets of Hollywood. In this case, however, the basic flat four-cylinder was replaced by a much more powerful Subaru engine with a volume of 2.5 liters. Interestingly, the car was equipped with an automatic transmission, because the company Jaz Products, which rebuilt the car, did not know whether the famous actor could shift gears with a manual transmission. Just FYI: Brad can operate a manual gearbox, so fine.
So much for a quick window into the pop culture context of recent years, there are of course many more references to the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia in films or series. We will now traditionally move to setting the model in the history of the automotive industry.
Photo: Ondřej Kroutil
The Karmann Ghia is an absolute beauty. Now just to make it look good enough behind the wheel.
As society’s standard of living rose in the 1950s, people began to desire more luxurious goods. This also applied to cars. In this particular case, even Volkswagen, which was truly popular at the time, unlike now. As you can guess, he produced his successful model Beetle (type 1).
And it was on its basis that the project of a new coupe/cabriolet began to emerge, which was presented to the public for the first time in the concept phase at the Paris Motor Show in 1953. Many people stood behind it, but mainly Wilhelm Karmann, who at that time took over the family business and was grinding his teeth for the production of a coupe or cabriolet based on Volkswagen. And then also Luigi Segre, who wanted to spread the fame of Carrozzerie Ghia to the whole world. Things got moving: Gian Paulo Boano bought a Beetle in Paris and drove it to Turin, to the Ghia body shop. It was there that work began on modifying the platform and shaping the body. Many people worked on the design of the new car – from the aforementioned Segre to Mario Boana, Sergio Coggiola and Giovanni Savonuzzi. The fact that the designs were very similar to the Chrysler D’Elegance and the K-310 concept by the American designer Virgil Exner, who even befriended the whole bunch, deserves mention.
Photo: Ondřej Kroutil
Beneath the exceptionally elegant body is hidden the simple technology of the Beetle.
Free creation culminated when Volkswagen approved the design in November 1953 and began testing prototypes so that the first Type 14 could be produced on a newly prepared assembly line in Osnabrück, Germany, in August 1955. The public response exceeded all expectations, with over 10 sold in the first year 000 pieces, half of which was intended for export. The first Karmann Ghia was born. Unlike the Beetle, which had a machine-welded body with bolt-on fenders, the body panels were butt-welded and then hand-shaped and smoothed. This process was time-consuming and contributed to the fact that the stylish car cost significantly more than the base model.
The first Type 14 was not offered as a true sports car, but rather as a practical and stylish 2+2 coupe. The convertible we drive around today arrived two years later, in 1957. The Type 14 had a long life, helped by its popularity in the US market, where it was exported. It was produced between 1955 and 1975, with production ending in Germany a year earlier than in Brazil. In September 1961, it was replaced by the more spacious and modernly shaped Type 34, which was based on the new VW 1500 (Type 3), but it never achieved such success as its predecessor. The mention of Brazil is related to the Karmann Ghia TC model, the third and last evolution of the range. Its creation was initiated directly by Volkswagen in Brazil, who approached the Ghia body shop. A certain Giorgetto Giugiaro, who is behind the Touring Coupe (or Type 145) shapes, worked there at the time. I had the opportunity to drive it, straight from the blue piece from the museum in Wolfsburg, and it was, in a word, a blast. We will add that after the end of the Karmann Ghia era, this type of pleasure car within Volkswagen was replaced by the Scirroco model with a front transverse engine and front-wheel drive, but we are really getting off topic.
But what about the Type 14, which was very well received by the market? He developed throughout his life, practically every year. Just by chance – from the 1959 model year, it had larger headlights with a diameter of 45 mm, and in the same year a right-hand drive version came. The following year, a more powerful flat four-cylinder came, but still with a volume of 1,192 cm³ (power 34 hp) and the transmission received synchronization. In addition to other changes, for example in the area of sound deadening or various small things, in 1965 a new engine with a volume of 1,285 cm³ (known as the 1300 with a power of 50 hp) was used, later in 1966 came an even larger engine with a volume of 1,493 cm³ (1,500 with a similar power ). The chassis was gradually developed and improved, in the mentioned year, for example, disc brakes appeared in the front. There has been a widening of the rear axle and other improvements to improve driving characteristics. Better seats with adjustable backrests have settled into the increasingly equipped interior.
In August 1969, a new engine with a volume of 1,584 cm³ began to be installed under the back cover, and the car received the name Karmann Ghia 1600. The tested model dates from 1970, which was the first year when the seats ceased to have cloth elements and for the first time they were entirely upholstered in leather. And so on…
Photo: Ondřej Kroutil
It’s no sports car, but you’ll still enjoy the ride.
I believe that this outline shows how the Karmann Ghia gradually matured – weaknesses were improved, equipment was added, minor flaws were corrected. Before, it was simply done on an ongoing basis based on what was available and what customers wanted. The tested version is American, which can be recognized, for example, when viewed from behind by the small square lights under the main headlights. Karmann enjoyed the wide open roads of America, but then returned to Europe for a successful restoration.
Thanks to the company Veteráni na Truc, today I have the keys from one Karmann and I’m looking at him right away. Overall, a very nice car in the Irish green color that fits me right away. I appreciate that getting into Karmann is really pleasant. It’s often a bit of a pain in the neck for British roadsters of the time, there’s plenty of room here and the corner of the bodywork doesn’t get in the way of the windscreen. The interior is nicely airy, which makes sense when I’m sitting in the convertible, which has the canvas roof retracted behind the first row of seats. Although the car is 2+2, the rear bench is classically more of an emergency, which is such a classic.
Photo: Ondřej Kroutil
The warm rays of the sun, the wind in your hair, the winding road and the rumble of a flat four-cylinder, that’s simply the joy of driving.
As the car is cold, I automatically reach between the seats with my right hand and pull out the choke, just like in the old Porsches. I step on the gas pedal a few times, then I start with the key in the classic switch on the steering column, again with a little gas. The flat airship snorts a few times and dies. The second time he can hold on, so I gently motivate him with the gas. A simple technique has a lot in it, I appreciate it more and more.
Soon we’re weaving through the roads on a late summer day, whizzing along at a leisurely eighty. In this case, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder is supposed to offer about 51 hp at 4,000 rpm (I guess by feel, because the tachometer is missing) and 106 Nm of torque, and all this at a weight of just over 800 kg. Ideally, this means a top speed of over 130 km/h, but honestly, this is not a fast car.
Photo: Ondřej Kroutil
It is not even born to play sports, quite the opposite. The small cabriolet with a length of 4,140 mm suits a comfortable pace up to the mentioned 80 km/h, when you also enjoy the fact that you can communicate with the passenger through the swirling air inside. The toy car is pretty neutral when cornering – the simple chassis is legible, the steering is just quick and light, so we enjoy the lightness of the fun together. Similar to our 356, there is a funny style of shifting, where you sort of hunt for gears with a long lever sticking out of the floor.
A car for quieter spring, summer and possibly even autumn drives? Totally fine, especially with that styling that appeals to just about everyone. Karmann is truly beautiful! And what’s more, it stands out with its simple technology, which is easy to service. Nothing is expensive, so another advantage. The Type 14 was a success – which is also evidenced by the number of units produced, which reached a value of over 445 thousand vehicles. Cabriolets are rarer, there were only 81,053 units against 364,401 coupés. The offer is not limited, cars can be found in Europe and the USA. They are not unnecessarily overpriced, for example this beautiful piece is on the website Veteráni na Truc for a nice 600,000 CZK, i.e. less than 24,000 euros. This price corresponds to the average and in the case of a green specimen is fair. I wonder who he will tempt.
The Karmann Ghia: A Cheeky Love Affair with Elegance
Ah, the Karmann Ghia — the car that reminds you that sometimes beauty and a lack of horsepower can exist harmoniously. It’s like that one gorgeous friend who always forgets their wallet. You just let them slide because, well, have you seen them? Speaking of sliding, let’s talk about Uma Thurman in Kill Bill 2. Yes, that Karmann Ghia made its cinematic debut being driven—err, crashed—by our beloved Uma! Apparently, the car was about as reliable as my New Year’s resolutions. But hey, who needs reliability when you’ve got charm?
“Quentin convinced her, but later regretted it as one of the worst things that happened during his career.” — and no, he wasn’t talking about his film hours.
Pop Culture and the Karmann Ghia
Fast forward 15 years, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood rolls around, and if there was a “Best Supporting Car” award, Karmann Ghia would win hands down—partially because it’s only featured in supporting roles, but let’s not get into that. This time, Brad Pitt revs the engine, which now sports a Subaru upgrade! Because nothing says “Hollywood” like a classic beauty hiding a modern heart. Imagine the Karmann Ghia at a red carpet event, with a fake lacquer and all wrapped up in performance-enhanced deception! It’s the automotive equivalent of wearing Spanx.
A Beauty Born From Necessity
But wait, why the fuss over this elegant convertible? Well, back in the 1950s, everyone was smitten with luxury and not just those hideous polyester suits everyone seemed to sport. Volkswagen was booming, thanks to the Beetle—the golden child of affordable motoring. The Karmann Ghia emerged as the love child of necessity and aspiration—think ‘coupé-cabriolet’ designed by people with an eye for the beautiful but perhaps a little too much wine at lunch. Poor Wilhelm Karmann probably had more sketches than ideas!
With a design birthed amid a mix of Italian ingenuity and German efficiency, the Karmann Ghia went on to capture hearts and wallets, leading to over 445,000 units produced. Do you know how many times I need to repeat my jokes to achieve that kind of success? It’s exhausting! And the best part? Its simple, serviceable nature means even less mechanically inclined folks can’t mess it up—unlike my attempts at assembling IKEA furniture!
The Road Experience
Now, about actually driving the thing. With a purr (or maybe a “snore”) from its flat-four engine and a look that says, “I did not wake up like this,” it’s more about leisurely drives with the top down, feeling the sweet summer breeze whispering sweet nothings in your ear. “But can it go fast?” you might ask. Well, it’s not going to be winning any F1 races anytime soon, unless the race track is made entirely of scenic routes and vintage food trucks.
On paper, we see figures like 51 hp—sure, it won’t leave your local supercar in a cloud of dust, but it can get you from A to B while looking sexy. It’s all about the experience, isn’t it? Blasting tunes from an era where music felt real, riding with your loved one, and perhaps a killer sunset in the background—because let’s face it, who doesn’t want a picture-perfect moment to balance out the lack of acceleration?
And oh, how about that leather interior? Starting in 1970, no fabric elements—now we’re talking! There’s nothing more sophisticated than flopping into a leather seat under the warm sun, sipping a drink, and thinking about life choices while reminiscing about the times when owning a car didn’t require remortgaging your house!
Wrap-Up: A Case of Sweet Nostalgia
So, if you’re pondering picking up a Karmann Ghia, know that you’re not just buying a car; you’re adopting a lifestyle. It’s a car that flatters, doesn’t rush you, and has enough stories to rival a Netflix special. And at the relatively good price of 600,000 CZK (less than 24,000 euros), it’s a steal! Think of it as a vintage investment; after all, just like fine wine, some things get better with time.
Plus, isn’t it better to have a car that breaks down gracefully rather than spluttering its end like a failed comedian in a half-empty pub?
The cultural impact of the Karmann Ghia is undeniable, with the American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino being one of its ardent admirers. This iconic automobile made its debut in the cinematic world through the film Kill Bill Vol. 2, where Uma Thurman famously took the wheel. Interestingly, at the time of filming, the car’s performance was far from perfect, leading to an unfortunate incident where Uma crashed it while maneuvering on a dirt road—a moment that nearly resulted in serious injury. Despite her initial reluctance to drive the problematic vehicle and a preference to leave the stunt driving to professionals, Tarantino managed to persuade her otherwise. In hindsight, he described this unfortunate event as one of the most regrettable incidents of his illustrious career.
Quentin Tarantino’s affinity for the stylish convertible didn’t wane, as evidenced by its resurgence in his later film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). In this cinematic venture, actor Brad Pitt took the wheel of the Karmann Ghia, skillfully skidding the vehicle—the same shabby blue model—through the iconic streets of Hollywood. Notably, the original flat four-cylinder engine was replaced with a robust 2.5-liter Subaru engine, significantly enhancing its performance. Additionally, the car was outfitted with an automatic transmission, reflecting the uncertainty of whether Brad Pitt could handle a manual gearbox—although records show he is well-versed in driving one.
The Karmann Ghia’s presence in pop culture spans numerous references in films and television series, showcasing its enduring appeal. However, let’s shift focus now to its significant role in the history of the automotive industry.
As societal standards of living improved during the 1950s, a growing desire for luxury goods emerged, which included automobiles. Volkswagen, despite its current popularity, was enjoying a golden era during this time, primarily due to the success of its iconic Beetle (Type 1). The vision for a refined coupe or convertible began to materialize, leading to a public unveiling of the model’s concept at the prestigious Paris Motor Show in 1953, where it garnered significant attention. Driving this endeavor were key figures such as Wilhelm Karmann, who had recently taken charge of his family’s manufacturing business, and Luigi Segre, who sought to elevate the recognition of Carrozzerie Ghia worldwide.
The project gained momentum when Gian Paulo Boano acquired a Beetle in Paris, subsequently transporting it to the Ghia body shop in Turin. This marked the inception of a transformation process that involved multiple talented designers, including Segre, Mario Boana, Sergio Coggiola, and Giovanni Savonuzzi. It’s noteworthy that the Karmann Ghia’s design bore striking resemblances to the Chrysler D’Elegance and the K-310 concept, created by the American designer Virgil Exner, who was known to have developed a camaraderie with the Italian crew.
In November 1953, Volkswagen officially approved the Karmann Ghia’s design, paving the way for prototype testing, which culminated in the production of the first Type 14 at a specially prepared assembly line in Osnabrück, Germany, in August 1955. The market response was overwhelming, with over 10,000 units sold in the first year alone, half of which were earmarked for international markets. Unlike the Beetle’s machine-welded body structure, the Karmann Ghia featured meticulously hand-shaped body panels, enhancing its appeal but also contributing to a higher price tag compared to the Beetle.
Initially marketed not as a sports car but rather as a stylish and practical 2+2 coupe, the Karmann Ghia convertible was introduced two years later, in 1957. Its production spanned two decades, from 1955 until 1975, with a notable export presence in the American market. By September 1961, the Karmann Ghia was succeeded by the more spacious Type 34, which was based on the newer VW 1500 (Type 3), though it never could replicate the success of its predecessor. Additionally, the Karmann Ghia TC model, the last evolution of the series, was initiated by Volkswagen’s Brazilian division, showcasing a strong collaboration with Ghia. Some developmental designs were even crafted by notable stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Karmann Ghia’s legacy concludes with a significant shift in Volkswagen’s lineup, where it was eventually succeeded by the front-wheel-drive Scirroco model, marking a new era for the brand.
Throughout its production run, the Karmann Ghia underwent numerous refinements, adapting to consumer demands and industry advancements. For instance, from the 1959 model year, it featured larger headlights, and the introduction of a right-hand drive version followed. By 1966, it was equipped with improved engine options, including larger displacements and outputs. This evolution continued with significant upgrades to interior comfort and chassis performance, showcasing Volkswagen’s commitment to continuous improvement.
The tested model under review today, which dates back to 1970, features a new engine variant with a displacement of 1,584 cm³, officially named Karmann Ghia 1600. This evolution marks a significant milestone in the vehicle’s story as it prepared to embrace modernity while holding on to its classic roots.
The Karmann Ghia stands out not as a sports vehicle but rather as an embodiment of leisurely drives. Its compact 4,140 mm stature harmonizes beautifully with the stylish chassis, creating an inviting atmosphere for sunny summer drives. With a design that captivates many, this car emerged as an accessible classic with a user-friendly construction that makes servicing straightforward and cost-effective.
The Karmann Ghia’s overwhelming popularity is underscored by the impressive production figures that exceeded 445,000 units, making the coupe the more common variant, with only 81,053 cabriolet models produced. Currently, prospective owners can find a variety of Karmann Ghias for sale in both Europe and the USA, with prices like the one listed for a beautifully maintained model at 600,000 CZK—approximately 24,000 euros—demonstrating its enduring value.
Z”>Over its production run, the Karmann Ghia underwent numerous enhancements, ensuring it remained relevant and appealing to consumers. Starting from the 1959 model year, larger headlights were introduced, and a right-hand drive version became available. The following year saw the addition of a more powerful flat-four engine, transitioning from a mere 34 hp to a 50 hp 1,300 cc model by 1965. By 1966, the engine further evolved, boasting a capacity of 1,493 cc while maintaining similar power outputs. Enhancements were also made to the chassis and interior, which saw the introduction of disc brakes and improved soundproofing, as well as more comfortable seating.
In August 1969, a significant upgrade transformed the Karmann Ghia into the 1600 model, featuring a 1,584 cc engine delivering approximately 51 hp. The tested model dates back to 1970, marking the transition to a leather interior, discarding fabric elements altogether—truly a step towards luxury. Despite the Karmann Ghia’s clear lack of raw speed and high-performance specifications, enthusiasts appreciate the car for its character and charm, offering an engaging driving experience characterized by leisurely journeys through scenic landscapes.
Today, the Karmann Ghia continues to hold a special place in the hearts of car collectors and enthusiasts alike. Its blend of stylish design, simplicity of construction, and historical significance make it a beloved classic. Prospective buyers will find a variety of models available worldwide, and prices remain relatively reasonable, often allowing for the chance to acquire a piece of automotive history without a crippling financial commitment. One can find beautifully restored examples fetching around 600,000 CZK (approximately 24,000 euros), a price that reflects its timeless appeal and the joy it brings to those willing to embrace its laid-back charm.
Puts. Additionally, modifications in suspension and braking systems continuously improved the handling and driving experience, with significant upgrades such as the introduction of front disc brakes in 1965.
As the years progressed, the Karmann Ghia showcased an evolving interior that reflected changing tastes and consumer demands, including better seating, improved materials, and greater attention to comfort. By 1970, advancements included a full leather interior, enhancing the car’s luxurious appeal and aligning with the expectations of a stylish coupe.
The Karmann Ghia is more than just a classic car; it’s a representation of an era marked by charm, simplicity, and a craving for stylish yet attainable vehicles. Its history is intertwined with the cultural fabric of the time, contributing to its nostalgic allure. Today, enthusiasts appreciate its design, ease of maintenance, and the delightful experience it offers on the road, making it a sought-after classic in the automotive world. With its stylish form and straightforward mechanics, the Karmann Ghia continues to be a beloved symbol of mid-century motoring.
