Hey everybody! It’s me, Andrew, and I’m here to tell you about a car I’ve always loved: the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. It’s a car that has captured the hearts of enthusiasts for decades, and there are some fascinating things about it that make it truly special. So let’s dive into five really interesting facts about the Karmann Ghia.
1. Its Stunning Design Was Actually Stolen
The first and possibly the most amazing thing about the Karmann Ghia is its design, which is the main reason why so many people know and love this car. But here’s the twist: the design was actually stolen. Yes, stolen—from a Chrysler show car from 1952.
Back in the mid-1950s, Volkswagen was doing great with the Beetle but wanted something more to expand their lineup and attract attention. They decided they needed a sporty coupe—a fun little sports car and convertible. To make this happen, Volkswagen reached out to Karmann, a coachbuilder who had been making Beetle convertibles for years. Karmann, in turn, reached out to Ghia, a famous Italian design house known for its collaborations with companies like Chrysler.
In the early 1950s, Ghia and Chrysler had worked together on a series of show cars, including one called the d’Elegance. Designed by Chrysler’s lead designer Virgil Exner, the d’Elegance was a big, stunning concept car with long flowing lines and a beautiful kick-up fender. It debuted in 1952 and was a hit on the show car circuit, but nothing ever came of it.
When Volkswagen approached Ghia for a sports car design, Ghia revisited the d’Elegance concept and realized it would work perfectly for Volkswagen’s rear-engine setup. The long rear deck could house the engine and even provide extra luggage space. They scaled the design down, removed the radiator grille (since there was no radiator), and cleaned it up a bit.
The result? The Karmann Ghia—a lovely, taut little car. If you compare the Karmann Ghia to the d’Elegance side by side, the resemblance is undeniable. That distinctive line running from the base of the body to the rear fender? Completely from the d’Elegance.
2. Almost Handmade for a Mass-Produced Car
The second amazing thing about the Karmann Ghia is that, for a car that was mass-produced, it’s almost a handmade car. Its design is unique in that it doesn’t have any visible seams at all. The only parts of the car that are one-piece are the hood, the doors, and the rear deck. Everything else is hand-welded, hand-filled, and hand-contoured into one seamless, monolithic piece.
Where most cars have visible cut lines and seams between body panels, the Karmann Ghia’s fender flows directly into the hood area with no interruptions. This made the car look incredibly sculptural, almost like a piece of heavenly metal art. The closest comparison would be the Volvo P1800, but even that doesn’t quite achieve the same seamless beauty.
This level of craftsmanship came with its challenges. If you got into a wreck, repairing the car was a big deal. For example, the nose section of the car—an area that was often damaged—required extensive labor to fix. Companies even started selling aftermarket grilles you could stick on to cover up nose damage because repairs were such a pain.
But this intricate construction is what makes the Karmann Ghia so special. Assembly lines weren’t like those of other cars; they were filled with artisans shaping, sanding, and welding the metal by hand. Even today, this craftsmanship sets the Karmann Ghia apart.
3. A Sports Car That Would Always Lose in a Race
The third interesting thing about the Karmann Ghia is that, while it looked like a sports car, it wasn’t really one. In fact, if you entered it into a race, you’d lose. Volkswagen knew this, and they even built it into their advertising. One ad showed a Karmann Ghia with racing stripes and a number on the side, paired with the tagline: “You’d lose.”
That’s because the Karmann Ghia wasn’t built for racing or high performance. Mechanically, it was straightforward Volkswagen Beetle stuff, starting with engines that made 36 horsepower, then 40 horsepower, and eventually 50 to 60 horsepower by the 1970s. It wasn’t a car that would strike fear into anything faster than a “drunk tortoise.”
Volkswagen was honest about the car’s limitations, and that made it even more charming. Drivers didn’t have to worry about beating anyone at a stoplight; the car’s appeal was in its looks and its fun, sporty vibe. The Karmann Ghia wasn’t about speed—it was about style.
4. A Unique Chassis That Was Widened from the Beetle’s
Most people know the Karmann Ghia was built on the Volkswagen Beetle chassis, but that’s not entirely true. While it shared many components with the Beetle, its chassis was actually widened by four inches.
The reason for this was the Karmann Ghia’s full-width body design, which required a wider floorpan. This modified “Ghia pan” became the foundation for other Volkswagen models, including the Volkswagen Thing—a rugged, Jeep-like vehicle.
The widened chassis gave the Karmann Ghia better handling and a more planted feel compared to the Beetle, enhancing its reputation as a sporty car.
5. A Poor Man’s Porsche
Even though the Karmann Ghia wasn’t a true sports car, it found a niche as one later in its life. By the 1970s, power levels had risen enough that the car offered a driving experience reminiscent of the Porsche 356.
The Porsche 356 was a sports car with roots in the Beetle, but it had evolved into its own thing. Production ended in the mid-1960s, leaving a gap for buyers who wanted something similar. Enter the Karmann Ghia.
With its elegant design and shared heritage, the Karmann Ghia became the next best thing to a 356 for a lot less money. Many enthusiasts saw it as a “poor man’s Porsche,” and aftermarket options made it easy to boost its power and performance.
The Karmann Ghia allowed drivers to experience a bit of the Porsche 356’s spirit without the hefty price tag, further solidifying its place in automotive history.
The Karmann Ghia’s Timeless Appeal
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia remains an icon of design and craftsmanship. From its stolen roots in the d’Elegance concept to its hand-shaped body and approachable charm, it’s a car that continues to captivate enthusiasts.
Whether you see it as a stylish coupe, a sporty car, or a piece of moving art, the Karmann Ghia is a reminder of an era when cars were designed with beauty and personality at the forefront. It’s not just a car—it’s a legacy.
