1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Source: hemmings.com

1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

The seller of this rusty, rough 1971 VW Karmann Ghia here on eBay claims that the value for such vehicles has shot up 50% over the last few months. I don’t follow the air-cooled market that closely, but I don’t think prices or demand have jumped that much. However, with a starting bid of $0.99 and an engine that turns freely, perhaps this Karmann Ghia represents a potentially cheap buy as a good source for parts or long-term project.

The car is located in Sanford, Maine and there is currently no bidding activity. Sanford isn’t too far from Kennbunkport, which is a popular seaside community for summer-time travelers. I wouldn’t be surprised if you find a few expired beach pass parking stickers on this Karmann Ghia, and if it’s been parked for extended periods of time with its nose facing the ocean, that might explain the heavy corrosion up front. The permeation of rust continues to the floors, frame rails and heater channels, according to the seller.


The rust challenges are why I think this convertible VW has a future as a parts car. There appear to be some good components left, from the top to the interior to the drivetrain. The windshield glass appears solid, and trim bits like the door handles, mirrors and tail lights could all be useful to someone. The doors and engine lid also could be harvested for another project car, but these aren’t necessarily hard parts to find. Nice parts to have, sure – but the Buy-It-Now asking price of $3,200 seems steep to me for a car of this condition grade.


It would appear this convertible received a likely-cheap respray in red, which is a shame considering its original color may have been yellow (a more desirable paint code, in my opinion). If motor turns out to be savable, that’s a bonus – but it’s anyone’s guess if the numbers match. Although I personally hope this car returns to the road, I don’t believe the seller’s claim about the uptick in value. Even if some pricing guide made such a declaration, Karmann Ghias still have a long ways to go before they begin to appreciate like an air-cooled Porsche.

Source: barnfinds.com