![]() ![]() “Outstanding Elegance, Extreme Performance, Higher Driver Comfort, As Economical As Every VW” To capture headlines and the market’s attention, the company would need something more substantial. Early on, the Karmann Ghia really struggled to support its steep entry price relative to the performance it had on tap. Cashing in on a re-emerging middle class with newfound wealth and prosperity, companies like Volkswagen launched newer, sportier versions of their small, economy-minded sedans.īecause the Type 1 (also known as the Type 14) had been an attempt to bring style with very little added substance, the first Karmann Ghia was great at attracting attention - but not much else (especially sales). West Germany’s Wirtschaftswunder - “economic miracle” - aided by the Marshall Plan and a focus on strengthening the border states of the Iron Curtain meant capitalism’s success manifested itself in new ways. However, the Type 1 Karmann Ghia wasn’t the only car to bear that German-Italian nameplate. Assembled by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany, with styling from Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy, the curvy two-door offered little performance, but much style, compared to its stablemates. The resulting Type 1 Ghia debuted way back in 1955 and added some (more) Porsche styling to the family sedan. The Karmann Ghia is familiar to most automotive enthusiasts as a styling exercise intended to turn the Volkswagen Beetle into a slinky “sportscar” using pedestrian internals. ![]()
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