1960 VW Karmann Ghia for Sale
This is a Nice Original 1960 Volkswagen Ghia
When We Get Another Classic Karmann Ghia for Sale Would You Like To Be Notified?
20,850 original miles! Original Factory Tires, Original 36 hpr Engine, Original Interior
This is a 1960 VW Karmann Ghia for sale. A 1960 Ghia is unique as it is the first year of the new body style. Thre is no arguing that this car is as classic as they come. What a time piece. This unique example has only 20k original miles and it still retains the original factory tires from 1960! The interior is original with the exception of new carpet, and the little Karmann Ghia still sports its original 36 hpr engine.
The 1960 Model year Karmann Ghia still has many features unique to the very early models. The rear “Karmann Ghia” script is much larger than it is on the later model cars. The front “bullet” turn signals are smaller than the 1964 and later turn signals. The car still has a manual choke and a reserve gas leaver. The interior door handles are the “ice pick” door handles as found on oval window beetles and other early Volkswagens. The two-tone paint scheme and the white wall tires complete the classic look.
Stepping into this Karmann Ghia is like stepping into a time machine. The ivory knobs and the ornamental chrome trim is straight out of the ‘50s (and 1960 of course). The “whirr” of the engine paints a smile on anyone’s face who is lucky enough to hear it. You can be proud driving this beauty no matter what your destination.
The paint is not original but the paprika red and white color scheme is. The floor pans look to be original and they are in good shape. At some point there was some body work done to the panels just before the rear wheels.
The trunk is nice and the rear quarter panels look to be original and they are in great shape. As you can see from the photos there is some rust around the headlights and in front of the passenger side rear wheel. But the paint and car look great overall, and these areas could be touched up if desired.
The story history of this cute little car is both interesting and extraordinary. This car was sold new to a US Serviceman serving in Germany in 1960. The original service manual shows the first maintenance was done at 298 miles in Germany. At some point the service person returned to the States and he brought the Karmann Ghia back with him.
Perhaps because the sales person spoke German, or perhaps other things in the owner’s life took priority, but the 298 service is the last scheduled maintenance shown as completed in the service manual. If you are familiar with classic Volkswagens you will know that the engine valves need to be manually adjusted every 3,000 miles. If valves are not adjusted eventually the engine will throw a rod. So this little 36 hpr. engine made it to 20,000 miles without any maintenance, but it was able to make it no further. The engine flung a rod and was simply pushed into a barn for a long hibernation.
In 1986 the parts manager of a local VW Dealership purchased the low-mile Karmann Ghia. He rebuilt the engine, rebuilt the front suspension and got the car up and running again. But because he wanted to preserve the ultra-low miles on the car he refused to drive it after getting it running!
Fast forward to 2008. I am at the local yearly West Side VW Show, and low and behold this classic 1960 Karmann Ghia drives right past me into the show! I am a huge fan of Karmann Ghias (I think I have five at the moment), and I am especially a fan of the very old models. Finding early models in decent shape is very rare indeed.
So I hurriedly followed the little car to its parking spot and struck up a great conversation with the owner. He said he had come to the realization that it was the time in his life to let the car go. I agreed to buy it right there on the spot! We finalized the payment and transfer the following week and the drive home was quite the adventure! (The seller lives about 100 miles from the twin cities and remember the car hadn’t been driven any distance to speak of in many decades! You can read the story of my adventurous drive home on my VintageVWCars.com Web Site.
Once I had the Karmann Ghia safe at my own house, I bought new carpet for it and I installed it and insulation/sound deadener for a nice and quiet feeling interior. It is now as cozy as can be inside.
This classic Karmann Ghia drives like a DREAM! The rebuilt steering system helps the classic white wheel turn like butter. The manual choke is fun and functional. But in the past four years I have only driven the car about 500 miles. And I am now ready to let this gem be enjoyed by another lucky Karmann Ghia enthusiast.
My Uncle has a classic VW Shop (J.A.C. Auto in Ramsey, MN) and he just did a valve adjustment and he rebuilt the original 28 pic carburetor. The car is now all set for a new owner to enjoy and love. Enjoy the photo gallery below, please watch the video and let me know if you have any questions regarding this 1960 Karmann Ghia for sale! –John Snell 612-805-2428
Click an image below for many more detailed photos
of the interior and exterior of this fine 1960 VW Karmann Ghia
 |
 |
| 1960 VW Karmann Ghia Photo Gallery | 1960 VW Karmann Ghia Photo Gallery |
Take a look at our Current Classic Cars for Sale!
See this Classic 1960 VW Karmann Ghia in action below:
Videos show walk-a-round and car history interview with previous owner!
Click the PLAY button below for some exciting video!
