Research on Sport Ghia (Special edition from 1973)

[Marcdeb]

[JAL78]

It would be interesting to know what special configuration code D21 is which is stated that it "cannot be identified".
_________________
1958 Karmann Ghia convertible
1961 Karmann Ghia convertible
1965 Karmann Ghia convertible
1966 Karmann Ghia convertible
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible semi automatic
1967 double cab

[Marcdeb]

[JAL78]

[QBandE]

I think there were a couple birth certificates posted this thread somewhere with a code that was labeled as being 'unknown' or something.

[Marcdeb]

It would be very interesting to see a birth certificate for a sport model. No one has posted information concerning a birth certificate. I've read stories that the sport model was a product of Volkswagen America and it wasn't approved by Wolfsburg. I don't know if this true or not. So why has no one presented a birth certificate? That should prove if VW in Germany was aware and authorized the package. As to the window sticker, I don't know if VW America was responsible for printing them and perhaps VW in Germany did not supply these???? It would be nice to hear from someone who has a birth certificate for a sport mode.
_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc

[JAL78]

[QBandE]

Hey guys!

Seems like i accidentally bought one of these. I had never heard of this edition before and the one i have has been repainted silver, but they left the decals and painted around them.

Owners manual matches with manufacture month, VIN, and the model # written in the manual.

Looks like the steering wheel was replaced at some point but otherwise looks like it might be legit.

EDIT: also, it seems like the cabrios have a rounded corner on the decal and the coupe has a sharp point at the corner. Is this part of the 'thin' and 'thick' difference?

[toddb_67]

Hard to tell from the photos but it does look like it was a sport Ghia. The only remaining part though is the steering wheel. Does it have the sport wheels? Where is the car located? How bad is the rust? Any body damage?
Unfortunately, since it has been painted and the sport stripes are gone it might not be worth much more than a typical Ghia in that shape. So depending on the location I would think it would be worth $2-4000k from what can be seen in the pictures.
_________________
1970 Pastel White Westfalia
1971 Super Beetle Convertible (sold) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582365&highlight=
1970 Squareback "Savanna" (sold)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714683
1974 Karmann Ghia- current project, 1967cc engine. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775207
“I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.” - Dudley Field Malone

[aimfabrication]

Hello, I’ve stumbled across a KG that I believe to be a sport. I’ll attach photos. Body is rough but runs and drives so nice. What would be a fair asking price? I bought it to cut the roof off but if it’s a rare one I hate to do that to this one.

[JAL78]

[BUCIOBATISTI]

Hello Everyone! We currently have this very nice survivor 1973 Sport Ghia available. It's already accounted for on this list as well. Thanks!

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2609173
_________________
Please check us out on Instagram at @holygrailgarage

That's the best place to see the latest things we are up to as well as catch an occasional sneak peek of our latest car and parts listings!

[JAL78]

A photo of the dealer window stickers is in kingkarmann's post above: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9800640#9800640
_________________
1958 Karmann Ghia convertible
1961 Karmann Ghia convertible
1965 Karmann Ghia convertible
1966 Karmann Ghia convertible
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible semi automatic
1967 double cab

[VWGlassee]

[JAL78]

I bought my Saturn Yellow convertible Sport Ghia from the original owner and they claimed that it is truly a Sport Ghia. They did not not have the original dealer window sticker to confirm its authenticity. The only documentation that I have is on the Birth Certificate that I had purchased from"Classic Volkswagen Parts" in Germany. It indicated that my car was equipped from the factory with the "Sport rims" code #M976 which to my knowledge was never offered as an accessory on standard production type Karmann Ghia's.
_________________
1958 Karmann Ghia convertible
1961 Karmann Ghia convertible
1965 Karmann Ghia convertible
1966 Karmann Ghia convertible
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible semi automatic
1967 double cab

[JAL78]

[VWGlassee]

How about this one? I think it also looks cool in orange
It has the striping, the US bumpers and steeringwheel. So its an original orange sport ghia?

https://www.aircooledclassics.be/kg8

[chicagovw]

BigBill, You probably had a Beetle with some Forumla Vee accessories. I don't think VW offered those wheels that early. Perhaps they were from a Porsche 914? I am not sure as to the first year Porsche offered them, but they were on many 914s. I think the price you recall is a bit on the low side for a new car...a base Beetle was about $1800 by then and in 1970 they were still selling as many as they could get in the USA, so probably not much discounting!

[kingkarmann]

I just re-read this thread.
Someone posted up an original Sport Ghia window sticker.
Based on the option package listed I would say it was most likely done at the factory.
In my experience in auto manufacturing "special editions were done in groups of a certain number each day until the total production number was satisfied.
It would be very interesting to know exactly how many were made it total.
I don't believe the VIN can tell you much without the birth certificate.
Does a 1500 sound plausible? Purely a guess.

Decided to try a google search and found another copy of a window sticker
1973 convertible delivered to California.

Both VIN#'s begin with 143262----
Maybe that's a clue?

[Big Bill]

Interesting thread I never knew VW offered a Sport Ghia. My wife and I were married in 1970, well we needed a car for her and decided on a beetle and bought a new one off of a local dealers show room floor. I cant remember if it was a 70 or a 71 but it had the rims like the Sport Ghias, a double pinstripe along the bottom of the doors with a VW logo in the stripe itself, a different shift lever that I had never seen before and a wood type steering wheel, and a different exhaust that didnt have the two peashooters. Sadly no pictures of this car, I have often wondered if it was done by the dealer or Factory. I have never seen another like it, it was under $1300 out the door