[{"id": 1192861, "authorName": "AnalogMan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/analogman/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I know it was the '70's and drugs were everywhere, but, the dealer that put the vinyl roof on committed unspeakable sacrilege against the beautiful lines on this car. It's a Karmann-Ghia, not a '72 Impala.\n\nIf it wasn't for that, I'd be bidding - this was the car in which I dated my then girlfriend and now wife. But, I'd go blind looking at that roof.\n\nGorgeous car in every other respect.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1472856651, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192866, "authorName": "All_Things_Italian", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/all_things_italian/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I love Karmann Ghias... Period. That timeless styling.\n\nI just love the color and that interior. It even has ac. \n\nSo I will forgive the vinyl roof and \"the ac just needs a recharge\" comment...", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1472856960, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192868, "authorName": "dentss_dunnigan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dentss_dunnigan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Not too fond of the roof ,but love Ghia's West Dennis is on the coast ,lot of salt air ,but beautiful country ....", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472857261, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192873, "authorName": "Hansjorg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hansjorg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The seller went through great length to have this rare and very nice car (forget the plastic roof) in a BaT auction. He thinks the AC only needs a recharge. Why didn't he do that already?", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1472857567, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192875, "authorName": "Keith_T", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/keith_t/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I know current popular opinion on vinyl tops in general is fairly negative, let alone on a Karmann Ghia, but apparently they were a popular KG option in Europe at the time, and there are a few around in the US as well. This one seems to have been very well installed, the look is little different from a black painted top. Very nice car overall. I think leave it as is.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1472857741, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192888, "authorName": "The_Driver", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/the_driver/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "UCF 1995... Had a classmate with a 68 Karmann, who found the remains of a 2.0 914. Into the Karmann went in: engine, transmission, brakes and wheels. Baddest Karman ever, have loved them since. Beautiful car, GLWTS!", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1472858228, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192976, "authorName": "2AMBikeRide", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/2ambikeride/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had an orange exterior/brown interior '72 convertible in/post college early 1990's San Diego. Sold it in '92 to finance a POS '72 Blazer (with no top). Dumb, dumb, dumb. But then, how else to spend one's youth?", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1472863108, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192979, "authorName": "danman", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/danman/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I actually think 2 toned and/or KGs with vinyl roofs look so 50s or 60s, why do folks have a problem with them?\nDon't know if it's my phone, the pictures, or if this car really looks \"wet\", but that's my only quibble with this car.\n\nWell, that and the stupid A/C may just need a charge.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1472863166, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192989, "authorName": "Noprisoners", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/noprisoners/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had one with dealer air which worked for about half a summer. I have seen the condenser mounted two ways. Some up under the nose and some horizontally under the engine/transaxle both with small electric fans mounted on them. Vinyl tops not to difficult to remove.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472863709, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1192997, "authorName": "nowhere", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/nowhere/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I wouldn't go out of my way to put a vinyl top on a KG but neither would I go to the effort to remove it unless it was falling apart or the rest of the body needed work anyways. The two tone look suits the KG coupe - just look at some of the 50's colour VW ads for confirmation of that, though those weren't vinyl, just paint.\n\nToo bad these aren't a common sight in the street anymore. They're beautiful little cars.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1472864429, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193017, "authorName": "Purgatory", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/purgatory/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "A great KG, until I saw the vinyl roof, so unneeded on this car. Wonder if it could safely be removed and the roof re-painted to blend in with the rest of the car? A nice example.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472866244, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193023, "authorName": "wombatsauce", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wombatsauce/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I really like this car, vinyl roof and all. I may forgive the roof because I am \"old\" and because I remember when these were a thing. I also do not understand being so completely put off by a styling element such as this. They can be removed - they are usually just literally vinyl stuck on with a contact-cement type goo. Sometimes they have edge mouldings that can be riveted on so one should plan for body work (to potentially un-seen dents) and paint work at the least - and be SUPER EXCITED if you don't have to do this. \n\nCar looks really nice. I would drive it happily the way it sits. Might sneak in a dual-carb setup when no one's looking. I wish I had a filter that would simply not show me ads with the words \"just needs a recharge\" but, hey.", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1472866560, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193048, "authorName": "Roadmaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/roadmaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The vinyl roof bothers me a lot less than the overspray on the underside---in fact, I love the vinyl and the red/black combo. Very sharp. Always liked chromed stock wheels on VWs, as well---a good look, and those, cocoa mats and an extractor exhaust were always day-one mods anytime anyone got a VW back in the day. Don't get too excited about the A/C---I had a Squareback with dealer-installed air and it NEVER worked---I finally pulled it out. Plus, air cooled VW engines seem to suffer somewhat from the extra burden of driving the compressor, not to mention the power suck in a car with little to spare. Nice car---good luck to the seller.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1472868528, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193056, "authorName": "porkpiehat", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/porkpiehat/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I have to say that, as vinyl roofs go, this one is relatively restrained. Must be the matte black that seems to go well with red. Still, I would prefer a metal roof, although I wouldn't say no to this.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1472869113, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193095, "authorName": "Keith_T", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/keith_t/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Vinyl tops will be cool again once the majority of surviving vehicles have been stripped of them. They were an original feature of higher end US (and some European) cars of the day. Maybe the excess of the late 70's through much of the 80's is behind the negative reaction. I'm just old enough to remember the \"cool\" cars having them, the gator textured T-Bird tops, my elementary school music teacher had a metallic brown Fury hardtop coupe with a paisley patterned dark brown vinyl top. Give it time. They won't so be \"icky\" anymore.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1472872052, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193097, "authorName": "Amphicar770", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/amphicar770/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Seems like a very nice example if the price is right.\r\n\r\nThe phrase \"AC Just needs a recharge\" drives me nuts in any ad. If that is all it needs then take care of it before you list. That said, these A/C systems work well if you replace the old York style compressors with a more modern Sanden. Likewise you will need to replace all the old AC lines with modern barrier hose, flush the entire system, new o-rings, etc,", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1472872193, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193111, "authorName": "feefur", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/feefur/", "bidAmount": 2500, "content": "$2,500 bid placed by feefur", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472873409, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193139, "authorName": "Mike-7", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mike-7/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Not a fan of the oversized bumpers and huge tail lights. I wonder if earlier bumpers and lights could be added?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472876823, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193192, "authorName": "Autophile", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/autophile/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Nice dog.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1472897724, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193226, "authorName": "Scott_Ales", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/scott_ales/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Description should have said, \"A/C needs serious work but is all there.\" \r\n\r\nNo one would have commented then. And really, does anyone pay more for the car with a working AC? \r\n\r\nShould do well here. \r\n\r\nGLWS", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1472906021, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193241, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Put me in the camp of being okay with the vinyl roof. \n\nI have a photo of my grandfather's '59 KG, and it was red with a white (painted) roof from the factory, so everyone calm down about two colors on the car being some kind of styling blasphemy. I take far bigger issued with the played out \"Cal look\" with a slammed suspension that so many of these are subjected to. \n\nThis one looks like it probably did on the showroom floor back in '72 - a premium VW model with some dealer-added accessories to both pad the sticker price and attract more buyers. It is truly \"period correct.\"", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1472906873, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193264, "authorName": "tbtinker", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tbtinker/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "what's going on with the left rear quarter? looks like poor bondo repair and lots of orange peal", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472908118, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193309, "authorName": "hawk", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hawk/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had both a 68 and a 70 Ghia. Both were convertibles. It was in those cars i learned the definition of \" trailing throttle oversteer\" Once in a rainstorm in heavy traffic on a downward sweeping curve. Hoowee. that was fun. I managed a 180 in traffic and stopped without a scratch. My 18 year old ass drove directly to a tire store and bought new rubber all around", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1472911029, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193385, "authorName": "manpot", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/manpot/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Not a fan of vinyl roofs either but this looks sprayed on and I like the contrast with the red..I'd leave it just as it is..probably take out the A/C..cut some weight and drag on the motor.Down the road a motor upgrade would be nice..love the 1776 in my 73 Thing ..what a difference in torque.It now lives at my hone in the British Virgin Islands and climbs the steepest hill you have ever seen in second gear! ( Its on the cover of my book \" Manpot's Tales of the Tropics\")", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1472916720, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193387, "authorName": "euroclassics", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/euroclassics/", "bidAmount": 3000, "content": "$3,000 bid placed by euroclassics", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472916778, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193436, "authorName": "Altema", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/altema/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The vinyl roof does not look much different from the factory two-toned paint. Like mentioned, I would leave it intact until it started having issues. The orange peel would bother me more. For the AC I would replace the compressor with a Gilmore unit, or just replace the whole system if I needed AC. Our current KG does not have it, and although it's cooler than a normal car when it gets hot outside, the car definitely deals with heat better than I do. Air cooled VW engines actually cool down when sitting in hot traffic, but the occupants do not! Yes, you can change to the smaller bumpers and lights, but the rear lights are going to take some serious work because VW was forced to change the contour of the rear fender to accommodate the US-mandated tail lights. But be forewarned: if you change back to the pre-1970 lights, you will be looking for ways to make them more visible! 1970 and 1971 taillights are a reasonable compromise. Bigger than '69 and earlier, but not as big as '72-'74.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472918990, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193439, "authorName": "kingkarmann", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kingkarmann/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "A previous post raised the ? of converting the lighting and bumpers to the 60's era styling. It takes a lot of metal mods to do it. It can be done but would not add a penny of value.\r\nI would ask how much rust repair was done before the respray. The left rear quarter around that torsion access cover looks a bit suspect. Otherwise it's a very original looking \"Fat Chik\"", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1472919181, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193450, "authorName": "2Vespas", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/2vespas/", "bidAmount": 3250, "content": "$3,250 bid placed by 2Vespas", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472919917, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193458, "authorName": "Haislop", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/haislop/", "bidAmount": 3500, "content": "$3,500 bid placed by Haislop", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472920329, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193496, "authorName": "Grimmo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/grimmo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Beautiful car, I also have a sweet spot for KG's. While in college in the early 70's, I bought a rust bucket 1961, turquoise with factory painted white top. I think I paid $300. Looked bad but ran great. Never let me down, kept it until I graduated and sold it for a couple hundred bucks. Great memories.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1472922740, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193497, "authorName": "tkagi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tkagi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "kingkarmann, could not agree more. Even later ghias in original condition are getting scarce. Someone should run a paint meter or magnet around that area. The right side bothers me more as you bring it up because the torsion plug there is not sitting right. Could be the light? A close up of that area would be good. While on that subject, a few shots of the floors under the carpet, the trunk metal and a shot of the nose under the spare would be reassuring. The vinyl top is not my thing but agree about period correctness, although I only prefer two tone on the earlier ghias. While it looks ok, the carpeted trunks on \"restored\" vw's just 'bugs' me. Sorry. Still nicely preserved and maintained ghia. Should do very well. Buyer, please drive and enjoy this. GLWTS", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1472922851, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193548, "authorName": "Hansjorg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hansjorg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Scott Ales:\n\n\"And really, does anyone pay more for the car with a working AC?\"\n\nABSOLUTELY. Living in So.Cal. I go through great length to have the A/C working in all my cars. I just spent 1.600.-- to have the A/C rebuilt in my 1980 Audi 5000 S Diesel. Now it's fun again to drive the car.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1472928500, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193558, "authorName": "jimijimi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jimijimi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Count me as a former KG owner and lover...mine was a '64 with a '68 single-port 1600 and so much rust that the car didn't cast a shadow. \nThis looks like a pretty good example of the breed and the larger tail lights are starting to look better to me. The tiny, dim ones on my 6-volt 64 almost got me rear ended (in a bad way) on several occasions. GLWTS.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1472929474, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193586, "authorName": "Keith_T", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/keith_t/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@manpot: Hate to keep returning to the vinyl top, but I'm not so sure it was sprayed on. While there aren't any visible seams in the usual places that I can see, which would make it a one piece installation, I do see what looks to be some hint of stitching around the rear window and at the base of the A pillar which has no chrome molding. Being dealer installed, spraying it on wouldn't have been unheard of, Dodge dealers even did it on a few Charger Daytonas, but VW was a little different, sort of picky at the dealer level even if their cars were relatively low price at the time.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1472932778, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193611, "authorName": "Impala", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/impala/", "bidAmount": 3600, "content": "$3,600 bid placed by Impala", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472936622, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193641, "authorName": "ddenboer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ddenboer/", "bidAmount": 4100, "content": "$4,100 bid placed by ddenboer", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472939023, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193644, "authorName": "Myster_E", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/myster_e/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Vinyl top is fine with me - not too offensive, but if I had a choice I'd prefer no vinyl. What about the AC? If the AC only needed recharging, why wasn't it done? Would have been a bonus to have the period AC working. Me thinks it probably needs more than a recharge!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1472939582, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193651, "authorName": "dgeisinger", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dgeisinger/", "bidAmount": 4750, "content": "$4,750 bid placed by dgeisinger", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472940548, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193659, "authorName": "Haislop", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/haislop/", "bidAmount": 5000, "content": "$5,000 bid placed by Haislop", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472941443, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1193665, "authorName": "wagon_master", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wagon_master/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "AC just needs a recharge .... then why not charge it!\n\ni do like the black top. The new Hipster look! Maybe vinyl wrap material used?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1472942001, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1193857, "authorName": "wtsane", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wtsane/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I owned several KG's back in the day, including one with a very stout engine of just over two liters, with dual 34's. The problem with these, if seen in profile, are very nearly a perfect airfoil. If the front end isn't lowered just slightly, they will tend to start to lift off at about 85mph. Fix the AC, and drive with the 1600.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1472984124, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194065, "authorName": "Haislop", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/haislop/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Looks like a recent respray....the biggest factor on what to pay for these cars is rust repair...and that can only be determined on professional inspection....", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473010375, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194231, "authorName": "Kevin_Preston", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kevin_preston/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Geez, stop with the AC does not work issues. It's an old car. Many of the cars in my collection have A/C, and you know how many work? One.\n\nWhy? Because they ALL don't work on an old car, unless within the last few years, there was major, major service done. Not only the condenser, but the evaporators are usually shot. All the hoses will leak. The O rings all shrink and dry up.\n\nSo let's talk about what usually happens with an A/C system on an old car. First, it stops blowing cold. So you take it in and get it charged, or laughably, attempt to do it with one of those do it yourself \"cans\" of replacement gas, which has got to be the biggest rip of any automotive product out there on the market. How do you think you lose the gas that was IN the system, dumb@ss?\n\nSo when that fails, and it almost always does, you take it somewhere. Now first, assume you find an honest A/C guy that knows what he is doing. I have a great guy, after suffering from guys who don't know what they are doing (duh, we put special stuff in the gas and lookie-d at it with this special light and we did-nt see no leaky!) and overcharging you. If you are lucky and your ancient compressor still works, I guarantee you your hoses will not hold on the high pressure side. So you will need to replace them. Oh, and recharge the system AGAIN.\n\nLet's go to the front of the car. There you will find your condenser. Now, after how many years of abuse of dust, corrosion, and pieces of debris do you think one of these can take? Yep, likely need to replace that too.\n\nAnd now, the fun item that everyone seems to forget about, the good old evaporator. Usually buried somewhere in the dash. If you liked replacing your heater core, you'll love getting at that evaporator. Good luck. You don't want to know how much the lady with the Toyota Land cruiser had to pay to get her AC fixed, the blown evaporator required the whole dash to be ripped open. Nice.\n\nAnd don't do anything dumb like fix one part and leave the others go, it's a pressurized system so the next weak link will blow off, and back apart everything comes again.\n\nNot to mention that even running well, many old A/C systems simply didn't work that well when they were brand new. Heck, I remember some BMWs as late as the 90s didnt have very good A/C.\n\nSo, many people do without. They don't commute in their cars, many places around the country have months of driving weather where A/C is not needed. And if it isn't adding significantly to the driving fun, people simply don't bother getting it fixed.\n\nSo, a person is going to sell a car, and do people here really think that working A/C will add one dollar onto the selling price of a vintage car? Ridiculous. Working A/C is like buying a house with a pool, it might be nice, but it makes no difference in the price of the house. So the seller is going to spend a lot of money just to have the A/C fixed for the next owner, and it won't get him that cash back? What idiot does that?\n\nThe bottom line is, when buying an old car, assume the A/C is not working. Because if it is, unless everything has been replaced at some point, it is going to fail. Just a matter of time.\n\nAnd be honest with yourself if not the rest of us. If you aren't going to buy a car because its A/C is not working, you aren't serious about the car to begin with.", "likes": 10, "timestamp": 1473027769, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194243, "authorName": "All_Things_Italian", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/all_things_italian/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I think I just remembered why I have always loved air cooled cars, especially VWs.\n\nWay way back in 1961 BC, my Mom was pregnant with me and my Dad was driving a 1955 or 1956 Beetle I think, My dad said it had the small rear window and like 36 horsepower...tops.\n\nHe was post grad at MIT with a new wife and a kid on the way, so he loved the idea of the economy of an old Beetle. I remember him telling me he was not so fond of the heater in Boston winters though.\n\nOf course it handled great in the snow and just puttered past anything else on the slick New England icy winter roads.\n\nHe like me always loved that putt putt sound of the engine just chugging away.\n\nHe said if my Mom would have learned to drive a stick, they would have kept it, but she had no desire or affinity...or coordination to shift for herself.\n\nYears later, when I was working at a Volkswagen dealership in Jersey in 1979 and winter was approaching, I was looking to trade in my tired 1970 Chevelle Malibu ragtop with a leaky top and a worn clutch and crunchy transmission.\n\nThey had a beautiful dark blue last year model Ghia, 1974 sitting in the used car lot.\n\nThe new Rabbits and Sciroccos were much more modern and better in every way and they were way out of my price range, but I was drawn to the shape of that curvy Karmann Ghia In spite of all that.\n\nI closed that door and sank into that comfy black vinyl bucket and felt like I was enveloped in a big cocoon. The high dash and door belt line seemed to enhance that cozy effect. I fired her up, first crank and she just settled into that familiar putt putt idle.\n\nI had to have her, they wanted $3995 for a five year old Ghia. My Dad liked the car but we both knew that price was too high.\n\nWe tried to negotiate them down, but even with my trade in, which they really did not want, and the fact that I worked there, (only a few months) they would not come down off the price enough for us to work the deal.\n\nI ended up driving that drafty old Malibu through another cold Jersey winter but all was not completely lost.\n\nA year later, in 1980, I was able to find a 1971 Super Beetle, same color Blue with Black Interior. It wasn't a Ghia, but it was a Bug and I was a happy camper.\n\nI ended up driving that old Beetle cross country later that fall to Denver, Co. To start Auto Body college. That is another story for another time.\n\nWish I could get this beauty, sure brings back nice memories. Good Luck to Seller and Buyer.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1473029907, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194245, "authorName": "All_Things_Italian", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/all_things_italian/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "P.S. BAT, Please don't flag my post... :-)", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473029929, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194246, "authorName": "Kevin_Preston", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kevin_preston/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@ATI why should your post get flagged, I enjoyed it.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1473029974, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194249, "authorName": "All_Things_Italian", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/all_things_italian/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@ Kevin Preston,\n\nThanks, I'm glad you enjoyed my post. :-)\n\nCheck out the link to the '39 Graham. \n\nhttp://bringatrailer.com/2016/08/27/spirit-of-motion-1939-graham-97-supercharged/", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473030229, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194390, "authorName": "Altema", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/altema/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@ wtsane - Our KG at stock ride height has been past 100 mph several times, and handles nicely at that speed (balanced and blueprinted 1600). The original body was designed using wind tunnel testing in Turin, Italy (one of the first cars designed so, IIRC). The body shape is good to 187 mph as long as the air that traps in the front fender wells is vented.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473050905, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194393, "authorName": "Hansjorg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hansjorg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Kevin Preston: Sorry, but I disagree with your statement about A/C in older cars 100 % and I could proof you wrong on many of my cars in my little collection, also on cars I have sold WITH working A/C. Living in So.Cal, it's not an OPTION to have A/C in your car, at least not for me, it's a necessity. Period.\nP.S. I am one of the \"idiots\" you mentioned in your post.\nIf only one of your old cars has working A/C so be it, but there are different people out there with different opinions. You seem to have forgotten that. I have been called an idiot before and definitely have done ridiculous things. I usually loose interest if a car doesn't have working A/C, or if I really like it otherwise deduct 2.000.--", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473052530, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194410, "authorName": "wtsane", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wtsane/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Altema: We agree to disagree, I was not comfortible with the suddenly light front tires above 85. But hey, I only had 20+ years in them, what do I know, right?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473063282, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194445, "authorName": "bernsteinr", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bernsteinr/", "bidAmount": 5100, "content": "$5,100 bid placed by bernsteinr", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473077980, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1194454, "authorName": "AndrewC", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/andrewc/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I have seen this KG at a few different German Car day events at the Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline. Decent amateur restoration, I think the paint was done a few years ago by MAACO I think the owner at the time did the prep and finish work, it did not look as low end as MAACO might have you think.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473078900, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194640, "authorName": "Kevin_Preston", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kevin_preston/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Hansjorg, I have lived in Socal all my life. If you think that the value of my 1971 Super Bee is affected at all by the functional status of my factory a/c, then you know little about car collecting.\n\nSecond, I didn't call you an idiot for having working A/C in your car. I called someone an idiot for fixing the A/C in their car thinking it will bring them more money. It seems everyone complains about non-working A/C, well then why not complain about every little paint blemish. Why not blather on about \"why didn't he fix the split seam in his seat\", \"why didn't he redo the carpeting before he sold it?\" \"Why didn't he paint those scruffy valve covers?\"\n\nWhy not? Because a seller wants to move a car. And if pouring $2000 into getting the A/C does not translate into $2000 more cash when he sells, it, what idiot, yes idiot, would do that?\n\nLastly, your statement: \n\n\"Living in So.Cal, it\u2019s not an OPTION to have A/C in your car, at least not for me, it\u2019s a necessity. Period.\"\n\nTell you what, I invite you to the nest early summer Steve McQueen car show out here. Heck, I'll pay. You can ask all the Porsche 356, Speedster, Corvette, and hot rod owners how they can possibly survive and enjoy their cars without A/C.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473093108, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194671, "authorName": "Hansjorg", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hansjorg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Kevin Preston:\nLet's agree to disagree. Different strokes for different folks. I am really the \"idiot\" fixing the A/C before I sell any of my cars. \n\nNot having A/C was one of the reasons why I sold my 1963 356 S90 a couple of years ago after owning it for 25 years. I enjoyed it living in Seattle but not down here.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473096429, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1194759, "authorName": "MoparMac", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/moparmac/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I always liked the body style of these but I don't think a vinyl roof belongs here. VW had a number of pretty funny ads about these back in the day. My fave was a color TV spot that featured a KG driving along a beach somewhere as the narrator described the attributes (including the beauty of the design). Then the car runs up against a giant sheet of paper and can't break through, prompting the narrator to add, \"....It's just not the most powerful.\"", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473102156, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1195341, "authorName": "Thaddeus_P", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/thaddeus_p/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I've got a 69 Ghia. I wish it did have AC as the cabin gets warm on a sunny day. But that would bog the engine down and besides here in the Pacific NW there are many cooler days.\nA clip on style wing vent would be nice. As far as aerodynamics goes, the Ghia gets better\nmpg's than my 69 beetle.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473126949, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1195599, "authorName": "Johns", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/johns/", "bidAmount": 5200, "content": "$5,200 bid placed by Johns", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473169007, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1195680, "authorName": "Imperialist67", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/imperialist67/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As a non-fan of vinyl tops, If someone had told me of one on a KG I would cringe. This red/black combo however, is elegant. Not as though KG's have wide c-pillars that result in the awful \"padded\" look, and a new owner could always remove if it not to their taste. \n\nIn the 1980's I was a mod, collegiate hipster and had a 1974 KG convertible as my collegiate sports car. High-style body with steady, reliable VW Beetle chassis, they were the proverbial \"sheep in wolves clothing.\" If you wanted a sports car, but didn't have the mechanical aptitude to keep up with a Fiat, Triumph or MG then; the KG was a practical option. I loved mine, and still have a soft spot for them. You NEVER see them in the mid-Atlantic anymore, not even at car shows. \n\nDesirability of AC depends on climate where you live and how (or how often) you drive it. Not a lot of these had AC, so a period system might be desirable to certain people, even if it would need re-building. Since sports car ownership is ostensibly less about creature comforts, it would seem that it's factor on a car's worth would matter less. Like with the vinyl top, a future owner could either repair, or remove it if not to their taste. \n\nSure enjoyed seeing this unusual KG, and I hope it finds a good home.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473174507, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1196812, "authorName": "wombatsauce", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wombatsauce/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My comment about A/C had nothing to do with whether or not it is there or whether or not it is a worthy feature. My comment was completely about the phrase \"...the seller thinks it just needs a recharge...\" This is commonly said, and usually not true - so it's annoying. I have taken in several cars that seemed like the AC just needed a recharge, and always needed to replace o-rings and hoses at least.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473206117, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1197530, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The trick to having an air conditioning system remain in working order is to use it, at least monthly, year-round. The refrigerant charge contains a light oil, which needs to circulate around and get to all the o-rings and seals. \n\nOf course, a system that hasn't been used in decades will likely need work. But once brought up to snuff by a competent A/C tech, there's no better feeling on a 100 degree day than to be sitting inside a cool car enjoying your tunes. This as opposed to having to hear the roar of every 18-wheeler and Harley-Davidson while you try to pretend that hot blast of air coming in through the open windows is doing anything to cool you off. And that's assuming you only drive where you can maintain 60-65 mph. \n\nSure, I admire to some degree those hardy souls who sweat to death on the Ventura Freeway on an August Sunday afternoon, capping off a day near the coast with a nice traffic jam in their non-air-conditioned VW/Porsche/Mustang/Corvette. But I wouldn't want to be them, and always give a wave from the comfortable interior of one of my air conditioned classics.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1473268435, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1198120, "authorName": "Starik", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/starik/", "bidAmount": 5500, "content": "$5,500 bid placed by Starik", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473282760, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1198470, "authorName": "Hasalone", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hasalone/", "bidAmount": 5700, "content": "$5,700 bid placed by Hasalone", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473297844, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1198911, "authorName": "Hedge", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hedge/", "bidAmount": 5850, "content": "$5,850 bid placed by Hedge", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473349697, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1198912, "authorName": "Hedge", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hedge/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wish I had time to look in person...makes me nervous, but she's a cutie and I had beetles in my youth.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473349755, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1199125, "authorName": "yrhmblsrvnt", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/yrhmblsrvnt/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "What a design the KG was, every inch of it was attended to and proportioned.\nWith restored 356's becoming common, I'm leaning toward a KG.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473359969, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1199995, "authorName": "Hasalone", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hasalone/", "bidAmount": 6270, "content": "$6,270 bid placed by Hasalone", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473391021, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1200142, "authorName": "Niteroi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/niteroi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Last ghia here sold for over $15k and it was in similar condition. I'm surprised this one is still at around $6k with only 8h to go.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473424239, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200159, "authorName": "nmexmatt", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/nmexmatt/", "bidAmount": 9251, "content": "$9,251 bid placed by nmexmatt", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473425067, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1200194, "authorName": "RickW", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rickw/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I second Wombatsauce's comment re. the a/c and raise -- my problem with the statement \"the seller believes it just needs to be recharged\" is that it makes me question the veracity of the rest of the car's description. Recharging is not difficult or expensive, so why not simply do it, test it, and then mention the results? Or, in the alternative, say \"air conditioner currently does not blow cold\" or \"air conditioner is not working.\" Right now, I'm thinking that the seller didn't want to use either of the latter phrases because he/she thought such language would reduce the amount of money that we'd bid for the car. And, that thought triggers doubts about other things said -- or not said -- about the car.\r\nLike West-Coaster and Hansjorg, I live in a climate that's very hot most of the year. If I'm going to buy a car -- even an old one -- it's going to need to have a working a/c. Otherwise, I'll be limited to driving it only a few months out of the year. Maybe if I was a lot wealthier and had a huge garage, I'd consider buying a car that I'd simply look at for most of the year rather than drive. But I like driving too much.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1473426490, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200216, "authorName": "rosta", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rosta/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "yes, we joke about the 'ac probably just needs a charge' along with the classic 'runs a bit rough, just needs plugs'.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473427554, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200265, "authorName": "Alan_k", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/alan_k/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a 914 with the factory air unit , with some service for years it kept me cool in south Florida. Something to think about is there is a rotary compressor to replace that with , the difference is there is almost no drag on the engine with the new style compressor. Even if you rebuild that and some of the system I would think for $1500 you will have great a/c for years to come and increase your value by that investment when selling. Just having the \"guts\" of that system would be gold for me in south Florida.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473430038, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200286, "authorName": "tornolo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tornolo/", "bidAmount": 9450, "content": "$9,450 bid placed by tornolo", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473431421, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1200291, "authorName": "Hasalone", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hasalone/", "bidAmount": 10017, "content": "$10,017 bid placed by Hasalone", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473431705, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1200300, "authorName": "bermewdz", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bermewdz/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "1970, L.A., four 16 & 17 y.o. surfrats, (four boards on top, wetsuits and all in the trunk) stuffed into my best friend, Tim's, '67 KG...bone-stock off white save the flames, that I airbrushed for him, on the nose. We drove up and down to all the beaches from North of Santa Barbara and South into the gravel backroads of Baja searching for waves and riding them when luck and the big, blue Pacific would provide. We'd each pitch in fifty cents for gas, that'd get you almost eight gallons then, plenty for any surfin' safari. That little beauty never failed us, loaded to the gills, driven hard by a quartet of stoned, reckless crazies...miles and miles of smiles...think \"Dumb and Dumber\" times 2. A/C wasn't on the radar for the us, our total collective \"consciousness\" was obsessed with what's truly important - waves, weed, friends, fun, and surfbunnies, (they usually fell off the radar in the little cockpit filled with soggy surfrats in a cloud of THC, donuts and Mickey's Bigmouths. Totally bitchen times, dude, totally!\n\nQuit worrying about the small shit, (even here in SoCal, Ghias are a rare site), just get it, pile your friends in and drive, make some memories! Oh, be sure they chip in $5.29 a piece for gas. GLWS", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473432318, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200387, "authorName": "West-Coaster", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/west-coaster/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Niteroi \n\n\"Last ghia here sold for over $15k and it was in similar condition\"\n\nActually, if you're referring to the green '74, the conditions are not all that similar.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473436311, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200411, "authorName": "Hedge", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hedge/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The green 74 was a much cleaner car.\n10 grand is full money in my book for this one.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473437732, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200439, "authorName": "jpr", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jpr/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "RE: A/C While I completely agree with @rickw regarding seller disclosures and the puffery that is \"AC just needs a recharge\" (No, it doesn't!), despite living in Las Vegas, I've never owned an air-cooled VW with AC, nor would I likely want one. They over-complicate what is a simple car, and this one is a beauty. I'm guessing this one jumps up a few grand in the final minutes, AC notwithstanding.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473439094, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200599, "authorName": "Niteroi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/niteroi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Good luck finding a ghia this nice for $10k.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473446927, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1200913, "authorName": "Tabasco", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tabasco/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "If this was an automatic my wife would be pushing me away from the laptop to buy it. She loves the look. I bought her an s2k and she promised to learn--sold it in nine months. Manuals are fading fast.\nGLWS Beautiful car!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473452679, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201048, "authorName": "jim_rosenthal", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jim_rosenthal/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Cue the theme music for the Slow Learners Department. One of these days, we will actually see a BaT listing which contains, in part, the sentence \"the AC needs at least a recharge, and probably has a leak. When charged, it blows cold- but it does not stay charged.\" \r\n\r\nWhoever writes that will get a gold star for honesty. They will also get more bids and a generally better impression for their car, because they will be viewed as straightforward. I am not sure, at 64, that I will live long enough to see this. LOL\r\n\r\nAgree about the rotary (Sanden) compressor for the AC. They are a huge improvement- less power required, less noise, and smoother in the bargain. No surprise that all the new cars have them. I am thinking about a Sanden refit for a couple of my older MB cars from the 70s.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1473453862, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201129, "authorName": "Dat2000", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dat2000/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@jim Rosenthal - I am shocked and dismayed to learn that all of those A/C units don't work just fine once the charge is done. Next you will tell me that it may not have really run well when parked.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473455351, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201130, "authorName": "mwillinger", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mwillinger/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Seven hours since the last bid, and a minute to go. \n\nIs this the selling price?", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473455362, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201131, "authorName": "Impala", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/impala/", "bidAmount": 10267, "content": "$10,267 bid placed by Impala", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455380, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1201132, "authorName": "mwillinger", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mwillinger/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "...aaaand, no.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473455396, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201135, "authorName": "Old_Gringo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/old_gringo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@mwillinger - If you hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have bid... ;>)", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473455447, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201136, "authorName": "B_Bay_Barn", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b_bay_barn/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Dat2000: and then we might learn that the \"easy fix\" really isn't an easy fix????", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473455455, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201137, "authorName": "Don1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/don1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "If someone needs it driven from MA to purchase location just let me know :)", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455458, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201140, "authorName": "Impala", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/impala/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Sold on 9/9/16 for $10,267 to Impala", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455501, "type": "bat-bid-reserve"}, {"id": 1201141, "authorName": "Dat2000", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dat2000/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@B Bay Barn - Say it ain't so!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455528, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201142, "authorName": "Frank_Garcia", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/frank_garcia/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Nice, congrats, that's a great deal!", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1473455556, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201144, "authorName": "Dat2000", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dat2000/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Congrats Impala!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455575, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201143, "authorName": "mwillinger", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mwillinger/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Impala buys a Karmann Ghia. \n\nOh, the irony.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455603, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201149, "authorName": "dentss_dunnigan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dentss_dunnigan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "this had more suspense than a Hitchcock movie", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473455669, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201193, "authorName": "Don1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/don1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow, totally worth the price and I'm assuming since it met reserve the seller is happy too. Congrats to both!!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1473456681, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201232, "authorName": "Hedge", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hedge/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Be interesting to hear if 10k was a steal or a stinger. :)", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1473457353, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1201301, "authorName": "Niteroi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/niteroi/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Congrats to buyer. Great deal!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1473458101, "type": "comment"}]