A very original 1500 and one of a limited few imported stateside.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Volkswagenwerk A.G.

Origin: Wolfsburg, West Germany

Production: 42,505

Motor: air-cooled, flat 4-cyl

Displacement: 1,493 cc

Power: 44 hp

Length: 13 ft. 7 in.

Identification No. 5044950

The Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia is best known in the United States for its slinky Type 14, introduced on the Beetle chassis in 1956 and built successfully for 18 years. There was another Karmann-Ghia, however, the 1500, first introduced in 1962 and produced until 1967.

This model was, of course, also designed by Italian coachbuilder Ghia and handsomely constructed by German coachbuilder Karmann, the firm also responsible for the Beetle convertibles. However, it was based upon Volkswagen’s newer 1500 platform, with an enlarged, nearly 1,500-cubic centimeter version of the Beetle’s air-cooled four on a chassis roughly four inches longer, and its styling was all its own. The body design incorporated a glassy greenhouse with an extremely slender roofline and door pillars and creases in the body that wrapped around to both ends of the car and dropped down to the bumpers, forming creases over the head and tail lamps. The interior was typically Karmann, which is to say that it is cozy and well-tailored, with comfy armchair-like bucket seats and elegant appointments.

American buyers missed out on the 1500 Karmann-Ghia, at least officially; it was never offered by Volkswagen in the United States market. Enthusiasts would not be denied, however, and numerous examples were brought stateside later in life by interested private parties. They remain considerably rarer than the Type 14, with only a few hundred known to be in the U.S. today.

The fun with a Karmann-Ghia is in the driving, and the Bruce Weiner Microcar Collection’s car is ideal for such purposes. It is an honest original car, unmolested save an older repaint, and nicely preserved for runs around town or zipping out to dinner with three friends at the local biergarten. Its style is distinctive and, as with many of Mr. Weiner’s cars, its potential for fun is limitless.