 | Description Karmann Ghia coupe photographed in USA. Source Own Work. Date 7/3/07, Author IFCAR, Permission All Rights Released. High Resolution Image (2152 × 1160 pixel, file size: 247 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) |
 | Photo taken by en:User:Minesweeper on February 29, 2004 and released into the public domain. I, the (Minesweeper) copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. |
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Karmann Ghia was a two-seater sports car marketed by Volkswagen, designed by the Italian firm Ghia, and built by German coach builder Karmann. Over 445,000 Karmann Ghias were produced between 1955 and 1974.
In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was producing small, fuel efficient, reliable automobiles (like the Volkswagen Beetle); but as the world recovered from World War II, consumers began to demand more stylish and elegant vehicles. Executives at Volkswagen decided that it was necessary to produce an "image" car to satisfy the demands of post-war automobile buyers.
Volkswagen contracted with German coach builder Karmann to build this car. Karmann in turn contracted the Italian firm Ghia for a sports car design. Ghia took an already made, but unused design (originally intended for Chrysler or Studebaker) and modified it to fit on a slightly modified Beetle floorpan.
The body and nose of the Karmann Ghia were handcrafted and significantly more expensive to produce than the strictly assembly line produced Beetle; this was reflected in the Karmann Ghia's higher price tag.
The design and prototype were well received by Volkswagen executives, and in August 1955 the first Karmann Ghia was built in Osnabrück, Germany. Public reaction to the curvy Karmann Ghia was excellent, and over 10,000 were sold in the first year, exceeding Volkswagen's expectations.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article, Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
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1 comment:
Another car picture I didn't have, the VW Karmann Ghia. I saw one of these cars rotting away in a junkyard once; it was the saddest thing I saw that day, that's for sure. Classic smooth design on those cars. Your so awesome for releasing this pic to the public domain!
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