1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

American industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague, included the Karmann Ghia in his list of the world’s most beautifully designed products of all time, sadly he would only live to see five of the nineteen years of production. This gorgeous example finished in light ivory over a tan interior was produced for the 1973 model year which would turn out to be the second to last year for this beloved iconic sports car. With it’s flowing silhouette sketched on the drafting tables of one of Italy’s most accomplished design firms, combined with the drivetrain of unarguably the most popular car of all time (Beetle), it’s not hard to see why this beautiful automobile is near and dear to the hearts of so many.

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was produced from 1955 to 1974. Internally designated the Type 14, the Karmann Ghia combined the chassis and mechanicals of the Type 1 (Beetle) with styling by Italy’s Carrozzeria Ghia and hand built bodywork by German coachbuilding house, Karmann.

For its final model year in 1974, the rear seat was deleted for North American models as it had no provisions for seatbelts and both the coupe and convertible were marketed strictly as 2 seaters.

More than 445,000 Karmann Ghia’s were produced in Germany over the cars production life, not including the Type 34 variant. Karmann Ghia Brazil produced 41,600 for South America between 1962 and 1975.

Long noted for its exterior styling, the Karmann Ghia was designed with input from numerous individuals at Carrozzeria Ghia but was strongly influenced by Chrysler designer Virgil Exner’s work, though all of its designers passed without a definitive individual styling attribution.

Few automobiles have had the longevity of the Karmann Ghia and it’s easy to see why. Through expert craftsmanship and careful attention to detail during its restoration this Karmann Ghia is well preserved and for future generations to enjoy, just like so many other have already.