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VW Karmann Ghia Parts & Accessories

Shop from our huge range of VW Karmann Ghia parts, spares and accessories. Choose the category below and filter down to the part, brand or quality you need.  Try our Heritage kits, handy project bundles for everything you need in one box. Don’t forget to check the new products for your vehicle and there are always 100’s of parts in our sale section.

Classic Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, Accessories & Spares

We stock literally hundreds of VW Karmann Ghia parts, ranging from service kits and accessories to complete body panels and engines. In fact we are one of the largest suppliers in Europe, selling to owners all over the world. So, whether you are simply repairing your Karmann Ghia, or undertaking a restoration of either the interior or exterior, you’re in the right place!

Cabriolet and Coupe VW Karmann Ghia Parts Under One Roof!

We have built our reputation on supplying both genuine parts and the finest reproductions available, and we are constantly sourcing new products to add to our incredible range.

Whether you are looking for a cabriolet or coupe, to find the VW Karmann Ghia spare parts you require, simply select from one of the categories above. Our online store includes hundreds of exploded diagrams and photographs to help you identify which parts for your VW Ghia you need…and if you have any questions, just drop our team of technical experts an email help@heritagepartscentre.com or fill out the form on the Contact Us page.

VW Beetle History

History of the VW Karmann Ghia

The Karmann Ghia’s history is somewhat confused, with at least two separate designers claiming they were responsible for scribing out the Ghia’s evocative lines. Both Virgil Exner and Mario Boano claim to have designed the car, some aspects of the car, notably it’s “hips” bore a remarkable resemblance to the Chrysler D’Elegance concept, which had been designed Exner but built by Boano’s Carozzeria Ghia in 1953, however other styling cues from Boano cars which predate the D’Elegance are also present, suggesting that it’s more likely the work of Boano.

The Ghia had come into existence when Luigi Segre (Ghia’s commercial director) had been asked by Karmann to design an “image car” for Volkswagen. Following Europe’s recovery from the effects of WW2, VW had a reputation for building reliable, small and efficient cars, however they wanted to break into new markets and for this they needed a car that would captivate the general public in the same way as the Ford Thunderbird, or the Chevrolet Corvette.

Karmann approached Serge in 1953 with the brief to design VW’s image car. Luigi Boano who had acquired the Carozzeria Ghia styling house in 1944 had been producing “concept” cars for Chrysler since the 1930’s, including the D’Elegance mentioned previously, and it has been suggested that the Ghia wasn’t a completely new design, but more a “re-work” of an original but unused design for Chrysler, thus provoking the debate as to the origins of the design.

Others suggest that Boano had originally sketched the car out in 1950, unbeknown to VW or Karmann, but VW had refused to sell him a car to base a prototype on. Whatever the truth, the new body shell was mounted upon a lengthened and widened Beetle floor pan.

 

 

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Karmann Ghia FAQs

How many removable panels does a Karmann Ghia have?

Because of its sleek coachbuilt design, the Karmann Ghia doesn't have many removable body panels. Only the engine lid, bonnet and doors will simply unbolt from the body. Karmann Ghia wings are part of the vehicle body construction and will require cutting off and new panels welding into place, should they need replacing.

What is the best year Karmann Ghia?

The 'low light' Karmann Ghia models made between 1955 and 1959 are the closest to the original prototype made by Luigi Segre and the team at Carrozzeria Ghia, and are arguably the best examples to own. These models are those most valuable and cherished by collectors today.

How many Karmann Ghias are left?

Because of the way different countries keep records of their older vehicles it is impossible to know exactly how many Karmann Ghia models have survived. Many Karmann Ghia projects will have sat in garages and workshops for years, never having their documentation updated or recorded digitally. Other vehicles will be brought back from the dead, and restored from a previously uneconomical state, due to the popularity and ever increasing value of these cars.

How many Karmann Ghias were made?

445,238 Karmann Ghia Type 14 models were produced between 1955 and 1974 at the Karmann Factory in Osnabruck. 364,401 of these were Coupe models and 80,837 were Cabriolets.

What does Ghia mean?

Ghia is name of the Italian styling house who were responsible for designing the look of the Karmann Ghia. They also worked closely with Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat and Chrysler. More recently their name was used, and purchased by Ford to denote their top trim level vehicles.

What does Karmann Ghia mean?

Karmann Ghia is an amalgamation of two company names; Carrozzeria Ghia who designed the look of the Type 14 and Wilhelm Karmann GmbH who built the bodywork to sit on top of the aircooled VW chassis.

What is a Karmann Ghia?

The Type 14 Karmann Ghia was an aircooled VW model, styled by Ghia and built by Karmann. Available in coupe and cabriolet body style they were produced between 1955 ands 1974. There were a number of other vehicles which have worn the Karmann Ghia badge also. The VW Type 34 was launched in 1961 and was also styled by Ghia, however it sat on a Type 3 floor pan. Only 42,505 of these 'Razor Edge Ghia' models were made before production stopped in 1969. The VW Type 145 was a Brazilain made Karmann Ghia TC and also penned by Ghia. It was exclusively sold in South America between 1972 and 1975. A few have made it to Europe, but with only 18,119 versions ever made, they are a rare sight.

What years were Karmann Ghia made?

The Karmann Ghia was made between 1955 and 1974.

Where can you buy a Karmann Ghia?

Karmann Ghias can be purchased from any number of places, from eBay through to prestigeous classic car auctions and specialist showrooms. The big thing is to inspect the car carefully for signs of corrosion or poor previous workmanship. It is advisable to read a buyers guide before going to view a vehicle, so you know what to look for and the questions to ask.

Who designed the Karmann Ghia?

Luigi Segre at Carrozzeria Ghia is widely credited for his role designing the Karmann Ghia.

Who made the Karmann Ghia?

The Karmann Ghia was built and assembled at the Karmann Factory in Osnabruck. The factory was later taken over by Volkswagen in 2009.

Is it expensive to restore a Karmann Ghia?

Karmann Ghia restoration costs will fluctuate widely depending on the condition of the vehicle to start with, the expectation of the owner and who is completing the work. Karmann Ghia parts are more expensive than VW Beetle parts because they were made in much smaller quanitites, but most components are available to complete a restoration.

Is a Karmann Ghia reliable?

The VW Karmann Ghia has the same underpinnings as the classic VW Beetle, and utilises a simple aircooled engine to power it. They are generally reliable as classic vehicles, and can be maintained easily by the DIY mechanic.

How much does a Karmann Ghia cost?

Karmann Ghia projects can be bought for a few thousand pounds, but a good useable sixties or seventies Coupe will cost around £15,000. Expect to pay another 25% to get behind the wheel of a Karmann Ghia Cabriolet and over £50,000 for a fully restored Low-Light example.

Is a Karmann Ghia convertible expensive to buy?

Karmann Ghia Convertible models are around 25% more expensive than a Coupe of equivalent year and specification.

Are Karmann Ghias easy to fix?

The Karmann Ghia has the same underpinnings as the classic Volkswagen Beetle and utilises a simple aircooled engine to power it. They were designed to be maintained by the average motorist, and today can be serviced and kept roadworthy by a DIY mechanic with a decent tool kit.

Which year Karmann Ghia should I buy?

The Karmann Ghia models made in the 1960s represent the best mix of classic styling and value for money. Low-light models made between 1955-59 carry a premium and the seventies models feature much squarer bumpers and redesigned indicators and tail lamps which tend to be less sought after.

What’s the difference between different Karmann Ghia model years?

The main difference between Karmann Ghia models is the position and styling of the lights and the bumpers. Early low light models can be easily identified by their smaller nostril vents.

Are Karmann Ghia parts the same as a Beetle?

The Karmann Ghia shares all mechancial parts with a VW Beetle of the same year. This includes engine parts, brakes, suspension and steering. Karmann Ghia body panels, trim, glass and interior are all specific to the model.

Why do Karmann Ghias rust so much?

The Karmann Ghia, like many classic cars of the era are prone to rust, but this is often dependant on the climate it has been kept in and the cleaning routine of previous owners. Vehicles which have spent most of their life in warmer, drier climates are far less likely to have rusted, hence the popularity of vehicles from Australia and the west coast of USA. However, these vehicles are likely to have suffered in the sunshine and often sport sun bleached paint, cracked and dried out rubber seals and brittle plastic and interior components. Vehicles which have been kept in colder wetter climates can still be rust free, if they have been well maintained, kept clean having road salt regularly washed off and garaged out of the elements. Sadly, as values of these vehicles haven't always been so high, many have been neglected at some point in their life, leaving owners and enthusiasts the job of putting them right in one way or another to enjoy them properly once more.

Further Reading...