| Author |
Message |
John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14274
Location: Southampton U.K.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80682
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2025 3:42 am Post subject: Re: How fast do you drive on the highway in your Karmann Ghia? |
 |
|
Nice, Porsche/Pedrini alloys.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NoDents
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2017
Posts: 452
Location: So Cal
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2025 9:12 pm Post subject: Re: How fast do you drive on the highway in your Karmann Ghia? |
|
|
Long Fwy trips I usually keep around 70 just to keep the oil temp under control during the summer.
Short Fwy trips 85.
I have had it up to 115 at 4am on the Fwy... still had a bit more to give but....
_________________
No Dents
1963 Bug - Sold in 1980
1966 Karmann Ghia Convertible - Stolen in 1988
1971 Karmann Ghia Convertible, resto/mod COMPLETED 10/2020 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rsbadura
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2009
Posts: 778
Location: Berlin, Germany
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 5:21 am Post subject: Re: How fast do you drive on the highway in your Karmann Ghia? |
|
|
Hello and happy new year 2026,
on the German Autobahn up to oil light speed 
(last number on the standard speedometer is 140 km/h, then oil light position at ~160 km/h or 100 mph - also measured by GPS).
Standard AD engine with long-ratio 3,875 AO gearbox from 08/1970.
This rare transmission allows driving at a fairly normal speed of 110-130 km/h or 70 mph without excessive noise or high engine revolutions with consumption less than 8l/100km or 29 mpg.
Acceleration to that speed is just not that fast, that's okay with me.
I've been driving my car for almost 30 years (since 1997) and don't want to change this.
At most – if I had too much money  – I dream of an upgrade to electric drive.
One of the much faster street legal Karmann Ghias is from Jochen Bader with up to 300 km/h or 190 mph and Porsche 993 RS technology:
https://www.bader-racing.de/en/home/home_news.htm
Link
Have a safe journey, regards,
_________________
Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools collection
Last edited by rsbadura on Fri Jan 09, 2026 7:15 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4690
Location: Ohio U.S.A
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 6:59 am Post subject: Re: How fast do you drive on the highway in your Karmann Ghia? |
|
|
| rsbadura wrote: |
Hello and happy new year 2026,
on the German Autobahn up to oil light speed
(last number on the standard speedometer is 140 km/h, then oil light position at ~160 km/h or 100 mph - also measured by GPS).
Standard AD engine with long-ratio 3,875 AO gearbox from 08/1970.
This rare transmission allows driving at a fairly normal speed of 110-130 km/h or 70 mph without excessive noise or high engine revolutions with consumption less than 8l/100km or 29 mpg.
Acceleration to that speed is just not that fast, that's okay with me.
I've been driving my car for almost 30 years (since 1997) and don't want to change this.
At most – if I had too much money – I dream of an upgrade to electric drive.
One of the much faster street legal Karmann Ghias is from Jochen Bader with up to 300 km/h or 190 mph and Porsche 993 technology:
https://www.bader-racing.de/en/home/home_news.htm
Link
Have a safe journey, regards, |
I wouldn't want you to push your baby too hard. That beauty has earned the right to take it easy.
The "Bader Ghia" is definitely the benchmark of what can be done to a transform our cars into a true track monster.
Happy New Year  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vwfye
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2000
Posts: 7765
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:56 am Post subject: Re: How fast do you drive on the highway in your Karmann Ghia? |
|
|
Today was 78 for a few miles. Normally 70-75.
_________________
64 No'back Speedster "Pearl"
LME "Little Giant Killer 3"
1974 Ghia "PUK" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
