1957 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Description

1957 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
Marvelous condition with full show quality correct restoration, paint and mechanicals!
Beautiful early variant Lowlight Karmann Ghia
Volkswagen’s original halo car
Trout Blue exterior with light and dark blue interior with white trim
1192 cc flat four-cylinder engine
Four-speed manual transmission
Hydraulic Front and Rear Drum Brakes
Original six-volt electrical system
Wide whitewall tires
Torsion bar suspension with st...abilizer bars
Sapphire I AM radio
Very tidy undercarriage
The Lowlight is a very rare and early variant of the VW Karmann Ghia, built between 1955 and 1959 and recognizable at the little extra taillights and the little air inlets at the front. MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this rarely seen 1957 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia that is finished in very sought after Trout Blue exterior.
With a seating position lower than that of a standard Beetle, Ghias were nicknamed “Lowlights.” The Type 14 debuted at the October 1953 Paris Auto Show as a styling concept created for Ghia by stylist Luigi Segre.
This VW is equipped with an air-cooled 1192cc flat four-cylinder engine (#1304869) with a single Solex 28 PICT Carburetor backed by a four-speed manual transmission. The engine bay is nicely detailed and the car is still powered by an original six-volt electrical system. This Ghia’s ride is steadied by independent torsion-bar suspension on all four wheels and stabilizer bars and hydraulic Front and Rear Drum Brakes.
The exterior is painted in Trout Blue and accented by beautiful wide whitewall tires, VW moon wheel covers, chrome bumpers, moldings, emblems and center caps – all of which are in excellent condition. The car’s windows are clear, crack-free and pristine. All of the body panels are solid and straight and are gorgeous.
Fitted with a Sapphire I AM radio, the interior is finished in blue and white on the door panels, with dark and light blue sporty front contoured bucket seats that are adjustable to give the driver full stretch and a rear bench seat that folds down for more space. There’s a white, two-spoke steering wheel for the driver and the Trout Blue metal instrument panel, complete with passenger grab bar, looks new. There’s also a wire utility basket between the front buckets with dual cupholders and space for small item storage.
In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was producing its economy car, the Type 1 (Beetle). With an increase in post-war standards of living, executives at Volkswagen proposed adding a halo car to its model range, contracting with German coachbuilder Karmann for its manufacture. Karmann, in turn, contracted the Italian firm Ghia, who adapted styling themes previously explored for Chrysler and Studebaker to a Beetle floorpan widened by 12 inches.
In contrast to the Beetle’s machine-welded body with bolt-on fenders, the Karmann Ghia’s body panels were butt-welded, hand-shaped, and smoothed with English pewter in a time-consuming process commensurate with higher-end manufacturers, resulting in the Karmann Ghia’s higher price.
The design and prototype were well received by Volkswagen executives, and in August 1955 the first Type 14 was manufactured in Osnabrück, Germany. Public reaction to the Type 14 exceeded expectations and very few nice examples exist today.
The Type 14 was marketed as a practical and stylish 2+2 rather than as a true sports car. As they shared engines, the Type 14’s engine displacement grew concurrently with the Type 1 (Beetle), ultimately arriving at a displacement of 1584 cc, producing 60 horsepower. In August 1957, Volkswagen introduced a convertible version of the Karmann Ghia.
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 71,811 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, exempt mileage title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
VIN: 1472693
EIN: 1304869