The Beetle in Italian dress
70 years ago, Volkswagen presented the Karmann Ghia, a chic coupé version of the Beetle, to a surprised audience at the IAA in Frankfurt. The combination of rock-solid German automotive engineering and Italian design developed into a worldwide success. The Karmann Ghia was particularly successful in the USA. Even the modest driving performance could not change this.
The air-cooled boxer engine with 34 hp, taken over unchanged from the Beetle, reached its top speed at 121 km/h and "accelerated" from 0 to 100 km/h in 30 seconds. In the versions built later, the top speed rose to just under 138 km/h. The Coupé was particularly popular with women, earning it the derisive nickname "Secretary's Porsche". Customers at the time included Romy Schneider and Petra Schürmann. (aum/ww)
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Photo source: Volkswagen via Autoren-Union Mobilität
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Photo source: Auto-Medienportal.Net/Volkswagen
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