1961 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe

Recognized almost as readily as the legendary Beetle itself and with a cult following all of its own, the Karmann Ghia was, in its maker’s own words A Volkswagen for people who can’t stand the sight of a Volkswagen. Launched in 1955 in 1,200cc form, the Karmann Ghia kept abreast of mainstream Beetle developments, gaining all-synchromesh transmission and progressively larger and more-powerful engines. A cabriolet appeared in 1957 and in 1959 the car’s front end underwent a subtle restyle with raised headlamps and enlarged nose intakes. Produced until 1974, the Karmann Ghia remains one of Ghia’s most commercially successful designs. Aside from its gorgeous styling, the car’s most striking feature is certainly its color. 

Inside, the cabin presents just as well, and displays many accurate factory-style details, also the correct steering wheel with Wolfsburg crest, transistor radio, excellent headliner, and of course, lots of exposed sheet metal wearing that fabulous shade of turquoise. Way in back lives a 1192cc air-cooled boxer four producing 40 hp in standard, single-carb form. At the opposite end, where you’d find an engine in most cars, resides a factory style spare wheel and tire, the latter with its valve stem connected to a hose providing pressurized air to power the windshield washer. 

The Ron Sturgeon Collection