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Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:35 pm

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what was the highest price paid for a Ghia? Would it be some Montage Suisse with an Okrasa motor and Judson supercharger, if any such beast ever existed? I've certainly seen some incredibly beautiful custom creations, which would be hard to price.

Though I guess money is a poor measure of anything's worth.
Considering the blood, sweat and tears we've each lavished on our own Ghia, it could well be argued that the most valuable one is whatever's currently sitting in the driveway.

Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:37 am

Good chance it's the prototype Cab
Shame the resto (ie 4 new wings, etc) must have whitewashed most of it's unique features

Quote: The oldest known Convertible is the Prototype that changed owner last week for a lot of money. This was probably the most expensive sale of a karmann ghia ever. It is now in a privite collection in Germany (not grundmann) together with the yellow prototype Type 34 convertible
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5927872

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=194657

Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:21 am

Rodbuster
I went to go see this car. Search the gallery.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1094143

Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:06 pm

I'd suggest that the rarest and most valuable Karmann-Ghia out there would be the original 1953 Ghia prototype. :!:

Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:27 pm

Ah, yes the Rodbuster. But I did specify highest price actually PAID for a Ghia. Doesn't count till it's sold! :D

Thu Jun 07, 2012 11:00 pm

Not the rarest, definitely a great body number at 356, a relatively high price was paid for this car 4 years ago above $85k. I know there have been several more expensive restorations/builds since this car was completed.

Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:45 pm

Hey, that's Frau Neefe at the left of the '53 prototype, right? She's the one who signs the VW birth certificates. I first met her about 30 years ago at Wolfsburg; she hasn't gained a pound.

Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:26 am

Thanks for the replies and those beautiful pictures.
Keep them coming please!

Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:07 am

rarest karmann ghia? for me one of the rarest and nicest lowlight ist the ghia with bodynumber 39. i know the owner and the car ist fantastic....
regards, udo. follow the url to see the no39
http://iloapp.karmannghia.dk/data/_gallery//public...height=784

Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:12 am

udo dreisoerner wrote: rarest karmann ghia? for me one of the rarest and nicest lowlight ist the ghia with bodynumber 39. i know the owner and the car ist fantastic....
regards, udo. follow the url to see the no39
http://iloapp.karmannghia.dk/data/_gallery//public...height=784

That is a beautiful car.
From the pic, it appears to have left hand drive (LHD). Is that original or were European marketed cars originally LHD back in the day?

Dave

Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:18 am

Volfandt wrote: udo dreisoerner wrote: rarest karmann ghia? for me one of the rarest and nicest lowlight ist the ghia with bodynumber 39. i know the owner and the car ist fantastic....
regards, udo. follow the url to see the no39
http://iloapp.karmannghia.dk/data/_gallery//public...height=784

That is a beautiful car.
From the pic, it appears to have left hand drive (LHD). Is that original or were European marketed cars originally LHD back in the day?

Dave

no39 from 1955 is LHD like all others lowlight up to?????

Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:14 pm

2 part answer.

Regarding prices paid and values:

I'm aware of 2 pre 60 convertibles that have changed hands privately in the same range that Doug mentioned above in his post.

Have also heard of 2 coupes, also pre 60 cars, in this range due to unique history and/or rare factory fitted options and incredible restoration quality.

When the headlights sit low the price go up.

Regarding most unique I'm with team retrowagen. The prototype car is the cats meow. Meeeeoooww.

Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:41 pm

As complex and technically involved it is in it's design, the first thing I think of when I see that Rodbuster is abomination. it's the furthest thing from a karmann ghia that I can think of. Granted the suspension work and engine layout is mechanically incredible, but for the love of God, get rid of that hideous star wars interior and that 1980 super tacky custom airbrush overkill paint job! Does the owner actually think someone is going to drop $350k on that thing and wish to be seen in it?? What a shame it is t take such a classic car with so few of them left in the world and turn it into Darth Vader's space ship. That's what fiberglass and kit cars are for!

Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:38 am

The price is 'only' $329k now. Still way over what it's really worth IMO. FWIW it was Chris's car to modify in any way he wished. As time goes by there will be less Ghias customized as the cars get more rare.

I'm just glad it wasn't Baja'ed. THAT would be a real waste. I remember the first one I ever saw (in Hot VWs) way back when. I cringed.

Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:21 pm

Here is the thread that got Rodbuster ready for Black's show in 09.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...mp;start=0
On page 13 Chris gave a brief history of this car. It started out as a DD.
For a car builder like Chris to even take on a Ghia says a lot.

Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:37 pm

Well, Rodbuster was build for a different audience... not collectors or drivers, but pure hot rod show. It won't appeal to everyone, but for it's target audience, it is a work of art. Winning at brand or model specific events is one thing, but winning when it's your car against everybody in the world is something else. It has to be over-the-top to compete in that arena.

Paul

Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:17 am

Back on topic please. :)

Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:35 pm

Haha, thanks for the entertaining digression folks. If nothing else, the Rodbuster is an amazing piece of custom metal fabrication.

Speaking of crazy custom mods, does anyone know if the "Millenium Ghia" was actually ever sold?

Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:42 pm

I would like to think this one qualifies as rare .... 56 golde ragtop low-light 8)

May not look like much now ... But give me a little time with her ... :wink:

Planning a stock / vintage resto , Nice & OG ...... :)

JP 8)