Page 107 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

THE FACTS
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1200 1200 1300 1500 1600 1958-1961 1961-1965 1966 1967-1969 1969-1974
ENGINE
Displacement 1192 cc 1192 cc 1285 cc 1500 cc 1584 cc
Bore X stroke 77.0 mm x 64.0 mm 77.0 mm x 64.0 mm 77.0 mm x 69.0 mm 82.8 mm x 69.0 mm 85.5 mm x 69.0 mm
BHP @ RPM 36 @ 3700 RPM 40 @ 3900 50 @ 4600 RPM 53 @ 4000 65 @ 4600 RPM
Torque @ RPM 56 lb ft/76 N-m @ 2000 RPM 64 lb ft/87 N-m @ 2400 70 lb ft/95 N-m @ 2000 78 lb ft/106 N-m @ 2000 87 lb ft/117 N-m @ 2800
Compression Ratio 6.6:1 7.0:1 7.3:1 7.5:1 7.7:1
Fuel delivery 1 Solex carburetor 1 Solex carburetor 1 Solex carburetor 1 Solex carburetor 1 Solex carburetor
TRANSMISSION
Manual 4-Speed 4-Speed 4-Speed 4-Speed 4-Speed
Automatic N/A N/A N/A 3-Speed 3-Speed
Final Drive 4.43:1 4.37:1 4.37:1 4.125:1 (manual) 4.125:1 (manual)
BODY
Construction Unibody Unibody Unibody Unibody Unibody
Overall Length 4140 mm/163.0 in 4140 mm/163.0 in 4140 mm/163.0 in 4140 mm/163.0 in 4140 mm/163.0 in
Overall Width 1632 mm/64.3 in 1632 mm/64.3 in 1632 mm/64.3 in 1632 mm/64.3 in 1632 mm/64.3 in
Overall Height 1505 mm/59.3 in 1505 mm/59.3 in 1505 mm/59.3 in 1505 mm/59.3 in 1505 mm/59.3 in
Wheelbase 2400 mm/94.5 in 2400 mm/94.5 in 2400 mm/94.5 in 2400 mm/94.5 in 2400 mm/94.5 in
Front Track 1306 mm/51.4 in 1306 mm/51.4 in 1306 mm/51.4 in 1306 mm/51.4 in 1306 mm/51.4 in
Rear Track 1288 mm/50.7 in 1288 mm/50.7 in 1288 mm/50.7 in 1288 mm/50.7 in 1288 mm/50.7 in
Fuel Tank 42 liters/11.1 gallons 42 liters/11.1 gallons 42 liters/11.1 gallons 42 liters/11.1 gallons 42 liters/11.1 gallons
Trunk Capacity 3.7 cubic feet 3.7 cubic feet 3.7 cubic feet 3.7 cubic feet 3.7 cubic feet
CHASSIS
Front Suspension Independent, with torsion bars, trailing arms, telescopic shocks,
anti-roll bar
Independent, with torsion bars, trailing arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Independent, with torsion bars, trailing arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Independent, with torsion bars, trailing arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Independent, with torsion bars, trailing arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension Swing axles, torsion bars, Swing axles, torsion bars, Swing axles, torsion bars, Swing axles, torsion bars, Independent, with trailing telescopic shocks telescopic shocks telescopic shocks telescopic shocks arms, torsion bars, telescopic shocks
Front Brakes Drum Drum Drum Disc Disc
Rear Brakes Drum Drum Drum Drum Drum
TEST DATA
0-60 MPH 28.98 seconds 30.0 seconds 25.4 seconds 22.5 seconds 20.5 seconds
Top Speed 70 MPH 70 MPH 75 MPH 75 MPH 75 MPH
Fuel Consumption 33 MPG 33 MPG 27 MPG 26 MPG 25 MPG
For more info from
snap the QR code or visit: hmn.com/ vw-karmann-ghia
WAYNE’S TAKE
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: Where else can you find a gorgeous coachbuilt body riding on top of absolutely bullet-proof mechanicals? I prefer the earlier, pre-1967 cars — larger lights and bumpers on later cars didn’t help the
design. Especially prone to rust — bodies expensive to repair.
Prices rising quickly, especially for Cabrios.
AVery basic design, easy to maintain, many sources for parts
ÅMany were daily drivers with shoddy body repair; need detailed body inspection
ANXIETY INDEX: MEDIUM
Wayne Carini  Affordable Classics  105