TheSamba.com :: View topic - Karmann Ghia versus Porsche: You be the Judge

Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:04 pm

If I will be asked, I'd answer the same!

Wed Oct 04, 2017 9:54 pm

Bones 53 wrote: From a purist's standpoint the 356's are really cool and I think they are beautiful cars, especially the 356 SC and speedsters. I have a 73 ghia convert with 150 HP dynoed HP that will outperform a 356 in every aspect. I have a lot of money in it though but I built it. It's a blast to blow the 356's and a lot of 911's off the road. It really surprises them. There is a real cool factor with a ghia. Most people under 50 don't know WTF it is and most think it's a porsche. A while back I pulled along side a guy I know (big time lawyer) with a 60's XKE convertible all redone and a very nice car. (he paid a lot to have it built) We jumped on it together at 55 and I left him in the dust (nice having a Berg 5). First words out of his mouth, " You got a porsche engine in that VW?" I laughed really hard. He couldn't believe it was a VW and probably still doesn't, priceless! thats awesome. With the looks of a karmann ghia and the potential of a vw beefed up engine, you wont go wrong on a karmann ghia.

Thu Oct 05, 2017 2:25 am

Dong is picking up from his last post after 8 years - lol

Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:23 pm

Mellow Yellow 74 wrote: Dong is picking up from his last post after 8 years - lol

Dong is picking up from his last post after 8 years - lol[/quote] It may looked like that, but, not really. I was just reviewing the other day this thread and it so happened that there has been a great comparison between Karmann Ghias and 356 Porsches (and that is pretty obvious), and even if this thread will not pick up, it is perfectly fine. :D

Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:13 pm

The only truly quick and fast 356 I've ever seen had a t-1 motor in it.
That porsche snobbery even extends to the 914, porsche snobs really hate hate them. I have a KG vert and a 914 and get nothing from REAL PORSCHE owners.

Fri Oct 06, 2017 3:13 pm

Two days ago in Bucks county, Pa. I saw a 356 convertible. Cream colored, it was a pretty car. Any type of car like that is very rare around here.

Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:01 pm

356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes.

Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:29 pm

Braukuche wrote: 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes.

Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that.

Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:45 am

CiderGuy wrote: Braukuche wrote: 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes.

Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that.

356 is a proper unibody. It'll always be more rigid than a body-on-frame car.

Sat Oct 07, 2017 9:42 am

Era Vulgaris wrote: CiderGuy wrote: Braukuche wrote: 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes.

Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that.

356 is a proper unibody. It'll always be more rigid than a body-on-frame car.

Exactly. 356 has a boxed frame with the body welded to it.. The beam is welded to the box frame it's all integral vs bolted on like a VW. I wonder if it would be possible to increase the ridgidity of the Ghia if one was to weld the pan to the body and the beam to the tunnel.

Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:17 pm

Braukuche wrote: Era Vulgaris wrote: CiderGuy wrote: Braukuche wrote: 356s are not that fast they topped out at 105hp stock, but you will not out handle a B or C car with a Ghia, they simply lack the rigidity a 356 has and I have owned both. Both are great cars they were just built for different purposes.

Please explain how a 356 is more rigid then a Ghia ? I'm not sure I am buying into that.

356 is a proper unibody. It'll always be more rigid than a body-on-frame car.

Exactly. 356 has a boxed frame with the body welded to it.. The beam is welded to the box frame it's all integral vs bolted on like a VW. I wonder if it would be possible to increase the ridgidity of the Ghia if one was to weld the pan to the body and the beam to the tunnel.

Another points to be considered is that Porsche 356's side members are much more bigger and sturdy vis-a-vis the side members of a Karmann Ghia which much smaller in construction. That would have been redesigned a bit larger to add rigidity and integrity to the chassis IMO.

Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:16 pm

I've since sold the Ghia mentioned above. Mine was a 73 with IRS narrowed trailing arms 6 inch x 16 Fuchs, 1" narrowed and lowered beam etc. It handled great. I also replaced the heater channels with 2x3" .095 tube. I think it really did stiffen the car quite a bit.

Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:51 am

Clearly the Porsche has greater value...so great that I can't offer the comparative experience of driving one. However, I do have a modified 1969 Ghia Coupe, and a stock 1990 Miata, and I can do anything handling-wise in the Ghia that I can do in the Miata--which probably puts the Ghia ahead of a stock 356 in that department. (Yes, there are some suspension changes to stiffen the frame). Engine is 1776 cc /110 HP (very similar HP to the Miata, so the Ghia doesn't have a power advantage--I think the Miata is rated at 114?--and that helps allow the Ghia the ability to do what it does)...Finally, I tried to upload a photo to the gallery-- it would not work at this time, I will try again later--but in terms of appearance (thanks to a really nice paint job and wheels and bumper mods--no credit to me), and comparative values aside, I will take my Ghia any day of the week. But I totally respect and appreciate 356 Porsches and their history.