1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Finished in the wonderfully of-the-period colour of Blood Orange, ‘NGL 413L’, or Nigel as he’s known, is a genuine right-hand-drive, UK-spec VW Karmann Ghia that’s been in the family for 40 years.

There’s a lovely potted history in the file that details how the seller’s father became Nigel’s second owner in 1984, writing a cheque to the VW Centre Bath for the princely sum of £2,500.

As the chair of the Karmann Ghia Owners’ Club (GB) the family regularly took him across Europe on club events, venturing as far as Germany and Czechoslovakia as well as France and Belgium.

He’s been a model too, featuring on the cover page of Essential Volkswagen Karmann Ghia by Lawrence Meredith in addition to three magazine articles.

He’s still a game old thing and was driven to us from its home on the Isle of Wight. Running well and very well preserved thanks to bi-annual applications of Waxoyl, he comes with a good history but would perhaps benefit from a little TLC to enable him to fulfill his considerable potential. 

 

Although, as you can see, Nigel still presents very, very well and there’s no disguising the fact he’s led a sheltered and somewhat pampered life; let’s face it, you don’t end up featuring in three magazines and the cover star of a book on the model if you’re not a looker – and Nigel is certainly that.

The Blood Orange colour helps, as does the fact this is the very same hue he left the factory in. Resprayed prior to the seller’s father buying him in 1984, he received another fresh coat of paint in around 2002 to the nearside front wing after a small bump that was so minor it doesn’t require any new panels. However, 23 years later he’s probably due for another vehicular facelift when money and motivation coincide.

Until then though the diligent application of Waxoyl every other year has preserved his underpinnings very effectively, as has the careful curation that’s left him free of dents, ripples, and other damage.

Little details like the tyre pressure sticker inside the fuel filler cap and the badges on the front bumper for the Karmann Ghia Owners’ Club and the Karmann Ghia Registry of America further reassurance as to the VW’s provenance.

The door shuts are clean too, the shutlines are impressive, and the rubber seals still soft and supple.

The brightwork is good too, with only minimal pitting and tarnishing, and we suspect an afternoon with a tube of Autosol would make a huge difference.

The chromed luggage rack on the rear is a useful addition, and the chromed hubcaps that sit on the steel wheels are the perfect combination for a car like this.

Firestone F560 tyres, in diminutive 155R15 size, are also fitted on all four corners. These still have decent tread but they’re more than 20 years old so could do with being changed, perhaps when you get the steel wheels repainted?

Nonetheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The badges are lightly patinated but no more, the lamp lenses are bright and free of cracks, and the glossy black roof (Schwartz L041) shows nothing more worrisome than some faint scratches from having been polished over the years.

A tow bar and single electrics were fitted to enable Nigel to tow a small Eriba Puck caravan behind him as he ambled around the UK and Europe as per the photograph in the gallery.

Nigel has lost some paint along the sills and the lower edges of the wings and doors, although this looks like it’s just flaking paint through age and abrasion rather than rust. 
 

The interior is as gently patinated as the coachwork, which is to say it’s survived the passage of more than half a century better than the person writing this listing.

Because the front seats are relaxed, with nothing more than a slight easing of the foam and very good pleather covers.

The rest is equally charming with delightful touches like the Philips cassette player and amplifier that supplement the original Unipart radio. The former also play through matching period speakers that are fitted in the rear quarter panel.

Other period features include a Desmo fire extinguisher on the transmission tunnel, enamel badges clipped to the headlining above the mirror, a chromed map reading lamp, and auxiliary gauges for engine revs and temperature mounted underneath the Philips sound system, although neither gauge appears to work.

The headlining is taut and undamaged, although it would benefit from being cleaned. The carpets are good too, as are the door cards which still boast taut elasticated pockets.

The frunk is in a very nice condition with a decent lining and a full-size spare wheel.

The only real issue is the top of the dashboard, which has split. However, a replacement dashboard pad (“rare as rocking horse poo!”) comes with it, so you can either replace it or maintain its originality depending on how you prefer your classic.

Nigel has been well maintained over the years, most recently with new rear brake pads and a rear lamp lens for the most recent MoT. The year 2020 saw it receive new E10-compatible fuel hoses and a starter motor as well as a full service by Jeff’s VW Shack in Bristol.

There is an earlier invoice from Jeff too, plus other receipts from the same period for stuff like distributor and brake servicing kits. Earlier invoices too; this is clearly a well-loved member of the family who’s been well pampered over the years.

Including having his engine rebuilt in 2001, for which there are photos and invoices on file. It’s still impressively clean and there’s a surprising amount of space under the engine cover, which would make future maintenance a joy.

As the video demonstrates, the engine fires into life without issue and revs smoothly while making an attractive noise.

The Waxoyl has worked its magic underneath too as the Karmann Ghia’s underside is very good. The worry here is, of course, rust and yet no MoT tester has ever mentioned it, which vindicates the hard work and expense the seller’s father invested in maintaining and protecting it.

NB: A good quantity of spares is included. Please see the photos for details. 
 

The Volkswagen’s MoT certificate, which is valid until April 2026, was issued with no advisories, just like the one the year before. All-in-all, it’s racked up a dozen clear passes over the years.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and it comes with the Instruction Manual, 23 expired tax discs, 35 expired MoT certificates, a dating and specification letter from Volkswagen in Germany, paperwork from the Karmann Ghia Owners’ Club (GB), plenty of invoices for servicing and repairs over the years, two workshop manuals, and copies of Volksworld Magazine from August 1994, Retro Classics from April 1997, and For Him  from June/July 1990, in which it features.

Plus, of course, copies of Essential Volkswagen Karmann Ghia by Lawrence Meredith  - in both English and German!

One of Nigel’s strengths is that his next owner could take him in one of two directions, either maintaining his light patina and enjoying the romance that brings with it, or respraying him to bring him back to the condition he would have been in back in 1984 when the seller’s father first fell in love.

Not that there’s any hurry to make a decision because the combination of a good history and an advisory-free MoT means you could enjoy him for the rest of the summer before spending the winter mulling things over.

And it’s not as if buying him is going to break the bank either because our estimate is a lowly £15,000 to £18,000, which doesn’t seem like much given the pleasure he’s brought over the years – and will undoubtably continue to give in the future.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.