TheSamba.com :: View topic - Why is it that Ghia's are so fun to drive!

Thu Dec 08, 2011 7:41 pm

I took mine out tonight after a tough day, Even tho there are deer out there!
Had a blast, listened to good music, drank a beer ( no judging please)
And smoked a cigar, something about cruising back roads in a ghia! Saw a lot
Of nice Xmas lights as a bonus......

Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:02 pm

When you get the tires warm and it grips and you know your handling and tires, it becomes very personal driving. They respond to direction well and give back what they take. They just put a smile on your face. When you can roll down the road 8-10 inches off the assphalt and can you can double the recommended speeds on corners its all good.

Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:15 am

8) It's the cool factor :lol: Even stock they handle pretty well, but get some extra HP and do brake and suspension upgrades and they are an absolute BLAST to drive :D I think one reason the Ghia is so much fun to drive is that the Ghia likes to be taken out and put thru the paces :wink:

Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:21 am

VW knew this, they designed and built it to be an enjoyable car and driving experience.......

Larger, easier to read....... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/61ghiabrochure/page1.jpg

The whole brochure....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/61ghia.php

BTW, the term "gay" used to have a whole different meaning back in the 60's and earlier years. :lol:

Dave

Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:01 am

It's like asking why is a fine ceegar better than a Dutch Master? The finer things in life are often hard to explain. It's close to driving a vintage road racer without getting so close to the edge.

Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:20 am

will46r wrote: It's like asking why is a fine ceegar better than a Dutch Master? The finer things in life are often hard to explain. It's close to driving a vintage road racer without getting so close to the edge.
^^ x2

Or why a Godiva raspberry truffle is better than a gas station candy bar!
It's not snob appeal, but an appreciation of the car; all that went into it, and all it has to offer back.

This morning I was grinning as I shaved and dressed, knowing that I was taking the Ghia today. People adjusting their pace on the freeway to get a better look, passengers pointed, a security guard stopped to chat about the Ghia he used to have... these are all fun, but the Ghia is a car you can enjoy just by itself, all alone. We have a long park nearby that stretches for miles and miles, and I can't count the nights I have gone for long drives in the dark. Even when no one is paying attention to it's beauty, a Karmann Ghia is a joy to drive.

Paul

Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:42 pm

Back in my single days, I worked in Los Angeles and lived in Huntington Beach. It was about a 45 mile commute each way. I got my ghia in the early 70's and put a couple of hundred thousand miles on it. I worked the evening shift, so I was always driving opposite rush traffic. I went home after midnight, so I pretty much had the freeways and PCH to myself. My ghia just made the drive enjoyable. I would go home a different route every night just to make it interesting, but regardless of which freeways I took, the last 10 miles were on PCH along the beach.
Those were the days.

Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:27 pm

I don't know what it is about Ghia's and other air cooled vw's. It's everything.
I do know that it it has a lot to do with the people. I've got it in my blood. My dad had 2 Ghias, and several Porsches. I don't know how many buses and Beetles my Uncle had (now he's got my grandfather's 74 vert) and I've got my Grandfather's Bentley Manual. My mother owned a Bug named Luscious Lou, and a Rabbit (diesel). Even my Father-in-law has owned a couple Bugs and a Squareback.

We all know what you're talking about.

Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:58 pm

Ghia's have SOUL...they like to be driven...mine talkes to me and says Harder Faster :shock: Or was that my wife that said that :lol:

Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:35 am

I think all of the air cooled VW have soul, which is missing from most newer cars nowadays. I like to think of my Ghia as a poor man's Porsche 356.

Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:24 am

61 BUS wrote: I like to think of my Ghia as a poor man's Porsche 356.

Na...I am a multi, multi millionaire (GBP) and I much prefer my Karmann Ghia to any Porsche I've owned. :D

Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:35 am

Having owned quite a few classics from various eras (50s-70s), I have to say the ghia has become my favorite to drive. I can't really speak to how a bone stock one feels, but I absolutely love the way mine handles! Only problem is... I run out of road too fast :D

Fri Dec 16, 2011 11:30 am

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:17 pm

that "1969" ghia is actually a 1970-71 model

BTW ... Type 4 or turbo powered ghias are the funnest to drive

Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:59 am

CLKWRK wrote: that "1969" ghia is actually a 1970-71 model
Definitely 70-71, but perhaps it has a 1969 build date like mine.

CLKWRK wrote: BTW ... Type 4 or turbo powered ghias are the funnest to drive
Probably true, but a stock looking 1584 type 1 that runs the speedo off scale at half throttle is kinda fun too!

Paul

Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:58 am

CLKWRK wrote: ... that "1969" ghia is actually a 1970-71 model ...
It was an ORIGINAL Karmann Ghia advertisement created by Volkswagen. :wink:

We all know, that some mistakes happened ... :lol:
... for example: have a look, where the fuel filler flap is positioned in this brochure:

:( :shock: :?

But nevertheless: The Karmann Ghia is one of the most beautiful cars of the world !!! :roll:

Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:01 pm

xWestonx wrote: Having owned quite a few classics from various eras (50s-70s), I have to say the ghia has become my favorite to drive. I can't really speak to how a bone stock one feels, but I absolutely love the way mine handles! Only problem is... I run out of road too fast :D

Mine is bone stock, except for radials I suppose!
Can you tell us what you did to yours to make it such a fine handling ghia!

Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:39 am

wolfgang klinkert wrote: ... for example: have a look, where the fuel filler flap is positioned in this brochure:
Wow, I'm glad they really didn't put it there!!

Paul