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1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

$26,495

1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Vehicle Details

Make

Volkswagen

Model

Karmann Ghia

Year

1972

Mileage

68,498 miles

VIN

1422245678

Body Type

Coupe

Transmission

Manual

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

1192CC 1.6LITRE / 34HP

Description

1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe For Sale
68,498 Original Miles * Sierra Yellow Survivor * Factory Air Conditioning * Original Documentation * Exceptionally Original
Offered for sale is this beautiful 1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe, an exceptionally well-preserved survivor finished in its original Sierra Yellow (Paint Code L11H) with a black interior. Aside from one professional repaint in its original factory color, this Ghia remains remarkably original and retains the charm and character that have made these elegant German coupes so collectible. Showing 68,498 actual original miles, this Karmann Ghia is a rare opportunity to own one of Volkswagen's most stylish and iconic automobiles.

With only 12,430 coupes produced for the U.S. market in 1972, these cars are becoming increasingly difficult to find in this level of originality and condition. Power comes from its dependable air-cooled flat-four engine, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine starts instantly, idles smoothly, and runs exceptionally well, delivering the reliable and enjoyable driving experience that has made classic Volkswagens famous around the world.

This Ghia has been meticulously maintained, and nearly every feature continues to operate as it did when new. Everything from the headlights and horn to the gauges, windshield wipers, interior lights, gas gauge, speedometer, and windows functions properly. Even the original factory AM/FM radio remains fully operational.

One of the rarest and most desirable factory options on this car is its factory air conditioning, an uncommon feature on Karmann Ghias and a welcome addition for comfortable warm-weather driving. Additional factory features include:
Factory air conditioning
4-speed manual transmission
Original AM/FM radio
Dual outside mirrors
Factory seat belts
Dealer-installed undercoating
Black bucket seat interior
Original-style steel wheels with VW hubcaps
This Karmann Ghia is accompanied by an outstanding collection of original documentation, including:
Original owner's manual
Original bill of sale
Original dealer invoice
Originally purchased on December 31, 1972, from Volkswagen of the Five Towns in Inwood, New York, the car was sold new to Anne Palma of Valley Stream, New York. The original purchase paperwork documents the transaction, including the trade-in of her 1969 Volkswagen and the addition of dealer-installed undercoating, providing an exceptional level of provenance seldom found with classic Volkswagens.

The body presents beautifully in its correct Sierra Yellow finish, while the black interior remains clean, inviting, and highly original. The car has clearly been cherished throughout its life and is ready to be enjoyed by its next caretaker. Whether you're looking for a unique weekend cruiser, an award-worthy survivor, or an appreciating classic that's as enjoyable to drive as it is to admire, this 1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe checks all the boxes.

Combining originality, documentation, rare factory options, and timeless Italian-designed styling by Carrozzeria Ghia, this is an exceptional example of one of Volkswagen's most beloved classics. Located in Farmingdale, NY 11735
Take A L@@K At The Video On YouTube:

Trim: Type 14 For Sale
Options: Premium Sound System

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Buyer's Guide

Full guide
E
Emily Chen
JDM Classics
1955–1974
~3 min read
Updated Apr 2026
The Karmann Ghia is the proof that beautiful design and honest engineering are not mutually exclusive — a hand-built body by Ghia of Turin on the proven Beetle platform, producing the most elegant Volkswagen ever made and one of the most practical classics available today.
This guide covers
✓ 8-point inspection checklist
✓ Common issues & what to avoid
✓ In-person inspection guide
✓ Market pricing by year & condition
✓ 4 FAQs answered
✓ History & fun facts

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Market Overview

Based on 10 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

10
Listed Now
$27,466
Avg. Asking Price
1965–1974
Year Range
Price Position on Our Site — Average Range
This car: $26,495
Low: $15,495 High: $45,495
Transmission Distribution
Manual 100% ◄
Condition Distribution
Good 20%
Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 10 listings →
💰

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Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Buyer's Guide

Emily Chen here. The Karmann Ghia is the car that convinced me the VW air-cooled platform was genuinely interesting, rather than just reliably dull. The Beetle underneath is the same car — flat-four air-cooled engine, torsion bar suspension, the same basic engineering that sold 21 million units — but the Ghia body transforms the experience. Not the performance, which remains modest in the extreme. The experience: the way the car looks, the way it sits, the craftsmanship visible in the panel fit, the sense that you're driving something that was made with care rather than just made.

Ghia designed the body; Karmann of Osnabrück hand-built it — hammering the complex curved panels over forms that couldn't be press-stamped at Volkswagen's production scale. The result is a car with panel surfaces that still reward close inspection 50 years later. That's a manufacturing accomplishment worth understanding.

What to Check Before Buying

✓
Floor Pan Rust — Inspect underside with a probe — floor pan rust is the most common structural issue.
✓
Heater Channel Condition — Probe the front heater channels running under the body sides — structural rust here is expensive.
✓
Rear Quarter Panels — Check where rear quarters meet the lower body — consistent rust point on all Karmann Ghias.
✓
Valve Noise — Listen for excessive valve clatter at idle — indicates overdue valve adjustment, a routine but essential service.
✓
Cabriolet Top Seal — On cabriolets, check rear tub and sills for water intrusion damage from top seal failures.
✓
Panel Fit Assessment — Examine door gaps and rear quarter transitions — crude panel alignment indicates prior accident repair.
✓
Engine Oil Condition — Check oil color and level — clean oil on a Karmann Ghia indicates recent service and attentive ownership.
✓
Electrical Function — Test all lights and the horn — Bosch electrical components age predictably and basic function is a maintenance indicator.

Common Issues

Floor pan rust — universal on cars without regular underside protection. Front heater channel rust — structural and expensive to repair correctly. Rear quarter panel rust at lower body join. Sill area deterioration. Valve adjustment neglect causing noisy top end — a straightforward but interval-specific maintenance item. Cabriolet top seal deterioration causing water intrusion and interior damage. Electrical system failures from Bosch components of the era. Type 34 parts availability challenges on the larger-platform variant.

What to Look For

The floor pan is the primary structural inspection — inspect from underneath with a probe. The front heater channels (structural aluminum channels running along the bottom of the body) are the most critical: rust in these channels is expensive to repair correctly. The rear quarter panels rust where they meet the lower body. Sill areas at the door openings are the third location. Verify the air-cooled flat-four runs without excessive valve noise — the hydraulic lifter equivalent is absent here, and valve adjustment at specific intervals is required. On cabriolets, inspect the top mechanisms for function and the rear tub area for water intrusion damage from a poorly sealing top.

Price Guide

1955–1959 Karmann Ghia coupe (driver): $12,000–$22,000. 1960–1969 coupe: $10,000–$20,000. 1970–1974 coupe: $12,000–$24,000. Any year cabriolet: $22,000–$45,000. Type 34 coupe (1962–1969): $18,000–$40,000. Show-quality original cabriolets: $45,000–$70,000+. Rust-free California or Arizona cars command 30–50% premium over comparable eastern examples.

Did You Know?

The Karmann Ghia was produced for 19 years — 1955 to 1974 — and over 362,000 coupes and 80,000 cabriolets were built. Despite this production volume, the hand-forming process meant that no two bodies were perfectly identical, and the panel quality on original-paint survivors still rewards close inspection. The car was never sold with a performance claim — Volkswagen's advertising emphasized its beauty rather than its speed, once running an ad that simply said: "It's ugly but it gets you there" over an image of the Ghia to illustrate the contrast.

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