Vehicle Description
The air-cooled Volkswagen era began with the infamous Beetle, known
as "the people's car," this little, German, air-cooled flat four
began a post-war renaissance of reliable, well-functioning and
affordable cars that were widely available to the public. Arguably
the spiritual, post-war successor to Henry Ford's Model T, the
Beetle has remained revered since its creation. Volkswagen, seeking
to appeal to the younger generation and keep pace with post-war
design, decided to develop a new coupe with some help and flair of
the Italians. Influenced by the work of renowned designer Virgil
Exner, the Karmann Ghia was the collaborative creation of Luigi
Segre, head of Carrozzeria Ghia, and Wilhelm Karmann, who oversaw
its production. The design drew heavily from Exner's Chrysler
"Dream Cars" and, most notably, the Chrysler d'Elegance concept.
Exner himself regarded the Karmann Ghia as a flattering tribute to
his visionary designs and expressed satisfaction in seeing his
concepts brought to life in full-scale production. Internally
designated as the Type 14, the Karmann Ghia made its debut at the
Paris Auto Show in October 1953. Combining German engineering with
elegant Italian styling, Volkswagen successfully captured the
attention of the masses. The car's popularity is evident in its
impressive sales figures, with over four hundred thousand units
sold during its nineteen-year production run-a remarkable
achievement, especially as the design remained largely unchanged
throughout its lifespan. Timeless? We think so. To put it simply,
this is the finest Karmann Ghia we have ever seen. This 1957 model
comes to us with a fabulous story, and even better restoration.
Ordered new from Midwestern Volkswagen in Columbus, Ohio, this
"Low-Light" Karmann Ghia was ordered for European Delivery. The
first owner, Miss Mary Brown, was a schoolteacher who decided to
further her schooling in Paris and travel Europe for a year.
Needing a car, this black Karmann Ghia was her solution. Miss Brown
received the 1.2 liter, 30-horsepower Volkswagen at the factory in
Osnabrueck and proceeded to drive it over 6000 miles in Europe
before taking it to the Antwerp port where it began its journey to
America. While in Europe and later in the US, Miss Brown kept track
of nearly every gallon of gas and mile in addition to service
receipts. The car remained in Ohio while she traveled back and
forth from Hawaii and Ohio, driving the car on her occasional visit
to the midwestern state. While the Type 14 resided in Ohio a
Volkswagen expert noticed it during his commute and stopped to
examine the car. Miss Brown was unwilling to part with the car
immediately, and a deal was struck where the gentlemen helped
maintain and exercise the car for around ten years before she
finally sold it outright to him in 1996. Upon acquisition, the new
owner began a needed restoration on the 38,000-mile Karmann Ghia.
Having completed a fervid, well documented restoration, this
Karmann Ghia traveled to many shows and has ultimately gathered
awards including AACA First Junior, Senior, Grand National, and
Senior Grand National. The quality of restoration on this Karmann
Ghia cannot be overstated. Bearing chassis number "1 639 197" and
sporting Toucan Black (L41) exterior and light grey vinyl seats
(K200) with dark grey corduroy inserts (P200), this Type 14 proudly
adheres to its original factory specifications as documented on the
Volkswagen Zertifikat. The restoration, performed by the previous
owner, was exceptionally thorough in the process, executed with the
utmost care to ensure authenticity without over-restoration. Panel
fitment is excellent, with precise, factory-correct gaps, and doors
that have a satisfying thunk that feature the factory original
Sekurit glass from 1956. The exterior brightwork and trim shine
brilliantly against the rich paintwork, while inside, the interior
is fresh and flawless, with pristine German square weave carpets,
knobs, and upholstery showing no signs of wear. Every detail, from
the chrome to the smallest interior components, was carefully
restored to the same detail as if it just left Osnabrueck,
reflecting an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and respect for
this iconic air-cooled Volkswagen. The engine, bearing the stamping
"1 966-104" on the generator mount, is believed to be the original,
numbers-matching 1200cc engine for this Karmann Ghia. Research
confirms that both the chassis and engine numbers align correctly
with the build date of September 1957. As part of its exceptional
restoration, the engine bay has been meticulously restored to
factory-correct specifications and remains impeccably clean,
showing only minimal signs of use. With a simple turn of the key,
the Type 14 springs to life effortlessly, reflecting its superb
mechanical condition. The history file accompanying this Karmann
Ghia is remarkably comprehensive, offering an invaluable glimpse
into its well-documented past. Included are the original purchase
documents, European registration, service receipts, period European
travel maps, Michelin road maps, and the meticulously kept
notebooks from Miss Brown's ownership, detailing nearly every
gallon of fuel and mile driven. Additionally, the file contains
extensive restoration photos, correspondence with Miss Brown, and
periodicals highlighting the car. Lastly, the original tool roll,
jack, owner's manual, and second set of keys are included as well.
This wealth of documentation not only verifies the car's provenance
but also underscores the exceptional care and attention it has
received throughout its life. This Karmann Ghia presents an
unparalleled opportunity to acquire what is arguably the finest
example extant of this iconic air-cooled coupe. With its celebrated
design, meticulous restoration, and well-documented two owner
history, it sets a benchmark for the model. Whether intended for
concours-level exhibitions, inclusion in a prominent collection, or
to simply be appreciated for its aesthetic and engineering
achievements, this Karmann Ghia exemplifies the enduring legacy of
Volkswagen and the artistry of mid-century automotive design.
Offers welcome and trades considered. For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7835-1957-volkswagen-karmann-ghia/
