1972 | Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1500

This original home market factory RHD VW Beetle Karman Cabriolet was first supplied by us to one of our long term customers in Harrogate in 2019, we sold the VW for the second time in 2023 to a customer in the Midlands who has had to part with the car due to health reasons. Prior to first selling the car in 2019, the VW came to us in part exchanging having six years with one owner, a London based multi award winning stylist. The VW has featured in marketing campaigns and PR events for his international brand and business, and the Beetle has regularly been driven from Sussex into Central London for both enjoyment and marketing.

When we prepared the car in 2019 we fully serviced the car and carried out lots of minor improvements at a cost of £1277 but it was the owner before that spent a huge sum on the car. The cars southern based owner of six years bought the VW in 2013 in Hastings and after 12 months of regular running £25,000 was spent on the car. The Beetle was taken to a long-standing Berkshire based restoration firm and treated to bodywork and a complete inside and out re-paint . The car was built back up with various new seals, rubbers, gaskets and trims. Further expenditure also included new front and rear shocks, front shock top struts, rear spring bushes, front brake disc backing plate, inner wheel bearing seals, interior re-trim, new running boards, new hood and various new chrome trims.

Only 2000 miles or so prior to the refurbishment program the Beetle was treated new brake pads, discs, calipers, hoses, brake pipes, new wheel bearing, gearbox strip and repair and new heat exchangers. Since the major program of work carried out in 2014/2015 the car has covered just 2400 miles. With servicing annually, the Beetle has proven perfectly reliable and prior to first arriving with us, during its 2019 service/health check it was treated to an alternator conversion, drive belt, fuel filter, spark plugs, ignition points, condenser, rocker gaskets, gear lever kit and new bonnet cable. We serviced and prepared the VW once again on its return in 2023 and since then the car has had very little use.

This very usable VW drives superbly, its 1600cc engine feels strong, responsive and pulls through the gears perfectly. The gearbox changes up and down perfectly, the clutch feels healthy and brakes, steering and handling all feel correct. Several years on from the re-paint, the VW still presents well with a deep shine, the interior is smartly presented, and the hood is still in excellent order. There no doubt this original Convertible is more than capable of regular use, long distance touring and should prove fantastic fun in good weather with the roof down.