Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge

[DONGKG]

Check this article a comparison between a Karmann Ghia and a Porsche Speedster. You be the judge.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96643345@N00/sets/72157594197029472/

_________________
'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20

[thom]

You gotta be kidding me - there's no contest. I don't care if the ghia had 2x the power, I'd take the Speedster, hands down. It's like having to choose between Halle Berry and Jabba the Hut's fat older sister.
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type

[peterericb]

thank you! I have known about this article for a long time but never seen the whole thing before.
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I love it when a guy covered in tattoos tells me I should keep my Ghia "All Original"

[Gary]

[whobba]

No.... it's more like havins to choose between Halle Berry (Speedster) and Star Jones (Ghia).
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[79SuperVert]

That article didn't deserve to be in a serious car magazine, even if it was meant to be some kind of joke. They "perform the same"? No put-down of Ghia's intended, here, understand. Just that even VW never claimed the Ghia had that kind of performance.

[kubilus1]

We aren't talking about a Ghia Vs. 911 here. The speedster had 1600 VW engine. Performance should be similar.

-M

[Gary]

But the 1972 Ghia beat the (much) older Speedster in handling. I think even a low-end Kia can outhandle a Speedster these days. That article was nothing more than a comparision of apples to bowling balls.
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West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

[79SuperVert]

[70 140]

It's a goofy article, but an amusing read. Its dumb that they used two different vintages of car. Not to mention a speedster with "1600 normal" engine. It would have been more realistic had they put it up against a low-light vert...but then it would have been a different story.

[peterericb]

the speedster was about handling not horsepower, in fact most porsches are.

The irony of the "kia factor" is that the cheapest cars of a generation are often disproportunatly better at handling than some of the higher horsepower cars.

The Neon is often a contender in Autocross events that I go to and it was even before they came out with the rediculiously over powered SRT4 version.

The reason for this is that all the complication and "comfort" can't compete with a good solid frame with as few moving parts as possible (cheap). Not to mention they are almost always a lot lighter than everything else.
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I love it when a guy covered in tattoos tells me I should keep my Ghia "All Original"

[22manybugs]

The article was written in 1972. I think the point was if you wanted Porsche Speedster-type handling and performance, you could look for a used Speedster, or get a brand-new readily available Ghia. The performance characteristics aren't that different, and the Ghia is better in some areas (braking, for instance, with the Ghia's front disc brakes). The Ghia is sure a lot cheaper for parts (then and now).

I'd prefer a Speedster, but just because it's worth a LOT more than a Ghia. The Speedster wouldn't be as much fun because I'd be worried about damaging it or having it stolen, so it would mostly sit in the garage.
_________________
Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[garyrowland]

[TC/TeamEvil]

The 356 HAS no pan, it's a unibody car. BIG differences between the two.

[DSF]

[kubilus1]

Your right. It looks like they used modified VW engines until 1949 and then used a Proche built flat-4, up until the flat-6 in the 911.

http://www.brophy.com/eodweb/htmls/designers/hd95_1.htm

Learn something new.

[Braukuche]

Thom, hatin' the fat, big time
Not that I am biased, but I think the point of the article was that if you wanted to enjoy the experience of driving a car like the Speedster but didn't want to contend with the expense of ownership, then the '72-'74 KG was the next best thing. In fact, it would outperform the Speedster thus the comment that "marque snobbery" was the only reason to own a Speedster over a late model Ghia. Of course, to dismiss marque snobbery in car choice is like wondering why most men would pick Halle Berry over Queen Latifah.
For a while I seriously considered getting a 356, but when I considered the cost of restoring one compared to a Ghia as well as the more intense maintenance costs and the fear factor of driving a car like that which is nearly irreplaceable vs a Ghia I stuck with VW. Maybe driving my '74 Ghia 'vert is a similair driving experience to driving a vintage Speedster but I don't have to spend as much money, time and psychological energy in doing that. To me it compensates for the loss of marque prestige.
--Dan

[DSF]

From vista.pca.org-- there's some engine info in there, sorta


"Porsche number one had a 1.1 liter engine, making 40 horsepower. It had a top speed of over 135kph (85mph). In 1948, only 4 356s were made! In '49 and the early part of '50, less than 60 more were produced. These very rare cars are known today as the Gmünd Coupes. During 1950, Porsche moved into a factory in Stuttgart, where they continued to produce the tiny sports cars. By the end of 1950, 298 cars had been delivered to their owners.

In 1951, three engines were offered from the factory. All of them were flat-4's, "boxers", that were air cooled. Offered were the 1,100cc, the 1,300cc, and the 1,500cc. In late 1952, the 1500 Super was the top powerplant. Along with the Super came a synchromesh transmission. Also in 1952, the America Roadster was created. This car, of which only 16 were produced, was an aluminum cabriolet body, with a removable windshield. This car obviously inspired the 40th Anniversary 1992 911 America Roadster.

By 1953, Porsche needed to compete more in the American market, and the Speedster was born! It was basically a cabriolet, but with a shortened windshield, and the bare necessities only. It's price in 1954--$2,995. What a bargain!

In 1954, along with the speedster came 6 different engines: 1100, 1300, 1300A, 1300S, 1500, and 1500S. Again, the 1500Super was the top-of-the-line. The Coupe and Cabriolet wore the "Continental" badge designation.

The 356A was introduced for 1956. Changes included an all steel body, smaller wheels, and a curved windshield. At this same time, the 356 Carrera was introduced (1500GS engine). In 1958/9, another model, the "Convertible D", was available. It was an upgraded Speedster, with a bigger windshield, roll-up windows, and other add-ons.

1959 brought in the 356B, with it's new body and Super 90 engine. The 356B again changed body styles, for 1962 and 63, when the 356C entered production.

There was yet another model, though, before the 356C. It was the Carrera 2, and became available in April 1962. It's engine came form the same lines as previous Spyder engines, and produced 130 horses. There were about 450 Carrera 2's produced in Coupe and Cabriolet form. One other note for 1962, a very small number of 356B 4 seater coupes were made by a Swiss company. They are rare, but still around.

Then, in 1964, the 356C came about. It had 4-wheel discs brakes, and offered the 1600C, 1600SC, and Carrera 2 engines. So you could get either a 356C or SC, the only difference between them being the engine. The C and SC were available in Coupe or Cabriolet form. By the end of 1965, over 76,000 Porsche 356 models had been sold, and the model 912 took over the 356's place in the market."

[79SuperVert]

[Braukuche]