1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Convertible

1600 cc

Manual

1413042493

Clear

Gasoline

This beautiful 1971 Karmann Ghia Convertible is basically stock except for the chrome wheels which my wife likes. The stock engine was upgraded with an Alternator replacing the original generator so the battery which is brand new is easily kept charged, though there is also an on-off switch on the battery. All the windows are perfect, the paint and top are recent and look great and the tires are excellent. The interior, dashboard and carpeting are all replaced and the car generally starts instantly and runs beautifully. Except when we use it, it is always covered and garaged. I bought my first Karmann Ghia convertible while in the Air Force stationed in Germany and fell in love with it. Until 1969, all Karmann Ghia convertibles as well as most other convertibles had plastic rear windows which gradually turn yellow. In 1969, VW introduced the full size Tempered Glass rear window in the Karmann Ghia convertibles which can be laid down or lifted back up without putting the top down – a feature few if any other cars had. Later, I bought a 1971 Karmann Ghia convertible. The Volkswagen Beetle’s popularity had grown tremendously in the 1950’s due to their legendary reliability and easy maintainance. In 1956, VW contracted with the Italian design firm, Ghia, to design a stylish body utilizing exactly the same Engine and mechanical components as the very reliable Beetles, but with hand made bodies on a slightly widened Beetle chassis. The first Karmann Ghias were Coupes, but these sporty looking cars were so popular that in 1957, they offered Convertibles which were also beautifully proportioned with their smooth well padded tops. Though Volkswagen eventually built more than 20 million Beetles, they only made a few hundred thousand of the hand made Karmann Ghias of which only 1 in 5 was a convertible. Today, if well cared for, these are highly prized. However unlike the Beetles which had bolted on fenders and looked more ordinary, The Karmann Ghias did not pretend to be sports cars, but with their beautifully proportioned bodies, they attracted a lot of attention and looked and drove a lot like a sports car. Karmann Ghias kept in step with the Beetles as the engine size increased and other improvements were made such as front Disc Brakes. Karmann Ghias were produced from 1956 until July 1974, but 1971 was the last year with the very pretty Chrome Bumpers with the Chrome over riders as this car has. The pictures show this car quite well and it is obvious that the bumpers are very nice as is the whole body – inside and out. Starting in 1972 until the end of their production in 1974, American specifications required energy absorbing bumpers and the horn ring inside the pretty colored steering wheel along with the horn button picturing a castle also disappeared and was replaced by an all black steering wheel. Behind the front seats, there is a shelf to carry items or which hinges up to provide a small jump seat. Several companies specialize in parts specifically for Beetles and Karmann Ghias though if the cars are well cared for, they do not require much attention. Shown in the pictures is the Official Volkswagen Service Manual which is almost an inch thick and full of photos, electrical diagrams and all kinds of information. I am 79 years old and sadly father time has overtaken me. I’m becoming more stooped over with time and my Arthritis has become noticeably worse during the last 5 years. It hurts to walk and especially getting up or sitting down. Getting into or out of any automobile is painful even though I take prescribed medication every day. For that reason, other than my regularly starting the car up, I have not licensed the car since last year. Prior to that, I regularly took the car to shows and Cruise Ins where it attracted a lot of attention because of its condition and stylish good looks. Many people find it hard to believe that underneath this stylish body, the car is the same as a Volkswagen Beetle, except that it has the beautiful Karmann Ghia body. This car is completely accident free and is nicely restored as described and which the pictures show quite well. However, any prospective purchaser is invited to personally inspect it to verify its condition. The vehicle is being sold “as is” with a non-refundable $2000 deposit to be paid by the winning bidder via Pay Pal within 48 hours of the end of the auction or if purchased at the Buy it Now Price. I learned that ebay removes the Buy it Now Price option once the Reserve price has been met. The balance of the selling price is to be paid within 10 days by Bank Wire Transfer using the account information which will be provided to the buyer once the deposit has been paid. The vehicle may remain in my garage for up to 30 days and possibly somewhat longer by written agreement of both parties, but the car may not leave my property until all funds have cleared. Any appointment must be by pre-arrangement. I am the owner who has written this description and we live near Daytona Beach, Florida. This ebay Ad is being posted by a close friend who is a Computer expert, but he will call me in order to answer any questions. He is quite familiar with the car and has ridden in it.