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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
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KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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 Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 10:33 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
| TDCTDI wrote: |
I saw this Borgward Isabella in an old junkyard today & instantly recognized those body lines.
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They say immitation is the most sincere form of flattery...a 1960 Coupe...
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I guess that means the Karmann Ghia's flattery is sincere then, as the Isabella went into production in 1954.
That tail light styling on the Isabella is rather attractive, and very much reminds me of the tail lights on the Tucker. |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 10:47 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| KGCoupe wrote: |
| John Moxon wrote: |
| TDCTDI wrote: |
I saw this Borgward Isabella in an old junkyard today & instantly recognized those body lines.
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They say immitation is the most sincere form of flattery...a 1960 Coupe...
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I guess that means the Karmann Ghia's flattery is sincere then, as the Isabella went into production in 1954.
That tail light styling on the Isabella is rather attractive, and very much reminds me of the tail lights on the Tucker. |
Oh dear...I feel bad about this but the 54 Isabella was strictly a Sedan and not the illustrated coupe that was introduced in 1957. 
The sedan bore none of the classic Ghia style 
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:18 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
The sedan bore none of the classic Ghia style
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Looks like a Willys Aero.  |
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KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| John Moxon wrote: |
| KGCoupe wrote: |
| John Moxon wrote: |
| TDCTDI wrote: |
I saw this Borgward Isabella in an old junkyard today & instantly recognized those body lines.
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They say immitation is the most sincere form of flattery...a 1960 Coupe...
|
I guess that means the Karmann Ghia's flattery is sincere then, as the Isabella went into production in 1954.
That tail light styling on the Isabella is rather attractive, and very much reminds me of the tail lights on the Tucker. |
Oh dear...I feel bad about this but the 54 Isabella was strictly a Sedan and not the illustrated coupe that was introduced in 1957.
The sedan bore none of the classic Ghia style
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I should have done more research, apparently. 
In my defense, whoever submitted this YouTube video of a supposed 1954 Borgward Isabella Coupe on display at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show led me astray...
Link
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TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12848
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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Every time that I look at that car or images of what it's supposed to look like, I want to go back & buy it.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4853
Location: Connecticut
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:28 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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Not a '49-----it's a '48 |
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Trylon
Samba Member
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Posts: 4853
Location: Connecticut
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:42 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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My error, my grievous error.
I discovered this:
For those who say this is not a 1949 YOU ARE WRONG! In the 1949 model year ONLY THE 50 SERIES SUPER AND 70 SERIES ROADMASTER GOT THE NEW BODY STYLE. Only 3000 Specials were built in 1949. Buick was pushing the new body style Roadmasters and Supers and the 1949 Special was basically the same car from 1946 to 1949
It does not, however, remotely resemble a Karmann Ghia.  |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4853
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| iowegian wrote: |
My error, my grievous error.
I discovered this:
For those who say this is not a 1949 YOU ARE WRONG! In the 1949 model year ONLY THE 50 SERIES SUPER AND 70 SERIES ROADMASTER GOT THE NEW BODY STYLE. Only 3000 Specials were built in 1949. Buick was pushing the new body style Roadmasters and Supers and the 1949 Special was basically the same car from 1946 to 1949
It does not, however, remotely resemble a Karmann Ghia. |
Ok, now you’re talking! Well, let’s see, how can I put this... actually it bears a remarkable resemblance to a Karmann Ghia.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 8:11 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| Trylon wrote: |
Ok, now you’re talking! Well, let’s see, how can I put this... actually it bears a remarkable resemblance to a Karmann Ghia. |
Now I see it:
The Buick is black----John Moxon's Ghia is black.
The Buick has white walls-----John Moxon's Ghia has white walls.
The Buick has shiny chrome------ John Moxon's Ghia has shiny chrome.
OH---- Beauty Rings |
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Chickensoup
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 5368
Location: Good Hope, GA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 8:28 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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Isuzu Bellett MX1600
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 8:43 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| iowegian wrote: |
| Trylon wrote: |
Ok, now you’re talking! Well, let’s see, how can I put this... actually it bears a remarkable resemblance to a Karmann Ghia. |
Now I see it:
The Buick is black----John Moxon's Ghia is black.
The Buick has white walls-----John Moxon's Ghia has white walls.
The Buick has shiny chrome------ John Moxon's Ghia has shiny chrome.
OH---- Beauty Rings |
 OK Let's have a look.
I have to say Chuck there are elements that are repeated in the Ghia styling. The treatment of the sweeping of the bodyline over the rear wheels and the shape of the rear 3/4 window. You also have side trim but that looks too heavy to my eye but the Buick is a much larger car so maybe it can carry it off. The Buick of course is front engined with a huge block of iron under the front hood so it has, by necessity to be completely different from the "A" pillar forward. I can see what both of you are saying but for me the major part of the original Ghia styling is the beautiful front profile. The Ghia has the aire of a light Continental Tourer, the Buick you can't see it fitting into those sweeping coastal roads on the Cote d'Azur. The KG on the other hand was made for that setting.
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John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4853
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:06 am Post subject: |
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| Trylon wrote: |
In case all y’all have forgotten what a Karmann Ghia looks like.
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_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Chickensoup
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 5368
Location: Good Hope, GA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:12 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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I’m stunned now that you post them side by side  |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4853
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:14 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| Chickensoup wrote: |
| I’m stunned now that you post them side by side |
Exactly! Imma gonna get me a Buick!
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Chickensoup
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 5368
Location: Good Hope, GA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:41 am Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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Yes, I’ve always loved the 47-48 style GM’s as well as the 49-52 styles. My dad’s got a 48 Pontiac silver streak deluxe 8 he’s restoring. Unfortunately tho, he LS swapped it and welded in a mustang II front end    |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4853
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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Well it looks like editing killed the discussion. Clearly the picture originally posted made the comparison more compelling. Sorry if I posted it in the wrong slot.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: The Karmann Ghia’s predecessors and successors |
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| Trylon wrote: |
| Well it looks like editing killed the discussion. Clearly the picture originally posted made the comparison more compelling. Sorry if I posted it in the wrong slot. |
I suspect if the Buick had been red with a black top it could have stayed. |
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