Width: 5 | Karmann Ghia Type 14

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 14

Ghia's coachbuilt sportscar based on a Beetle, originally a coupe with a convertible version from 1957. Built from 1955 to 1974.

Originally fitted with a 560-15 crossply tyre, with a 155SR15 radial option from 1971. This radial tyre can be fitted in place of the crossply on earlier cars.

Karmann started talking to Volkswagen in 1950, about building a Beetle-based sports car. But it wasn't until 1955 that the Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia appeared, after Ghia had designed and built a prototype. Initially just a Karmann-Ghia 1200 coupé was offered, but from 1965 there was also a 1300 coupé and in 1970 a 1.6-litre engine was introduced. But the most sought after Karmann-Ghias are the cabriolets, launched in 1957 in 1200cc form, upgraded to 1300cc in 1965 before the final 1600 version arrived in 1970.

As well as the more familiar Karmann-Ghias there was a more unusual 'razor-edged' version called the Type 34 which was launched in 1961. Available in 1500 and 1600 forms, these were based on the same platform as the 1500 and 1600 Type 3 saloon, convertible and estate. As with the previous Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia, the Type 34 was designed by Ghia but built by Karmann and sold by VW, with production lasting until 1969.