'57 "Lowlight" VW Karmann Ghia

Description for Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1957

History: • 1957 German market Karmann Ghia • Originally Dolphin Blue • Volkswagen employee purchase program car • Brought to the US by way of El Paso with a US serviceman • Sold to Hawaii where the restoration was done • Sold to Dallas to my dad • A photographer took a photo of it at Cars and Coffee in Dallas. photoshopped it to look like it was where it is now. and sells prints and phone cases and stuff. It's been the #1 image search result (and many more on the first page of results) for "57 Karmann Ghia" on Google for a long long time. Way cooler than "It was in the background of one of those car show 'stories' in Hot VWs once!" • He moved out of the country and sold it to me in Colorado • I did some mechanical and electrical work on it to make it reliable and handle well. and it was my fair weather daily driver. Synopsis: • Older restoration • Most of the correct pieces are present. what's lacking is essentially just the correct interior upholstery • 1600dp. 110 cam. dual Weber 40IDF. Vintage Speed stainless steel exhaust. Pertronix SVDA • All factory tins • Fully synchronized transmission • 12V electrical system • New Wiring Works wiring harness • Original roller pedal (cruiser was removed. but will come with the car) • CB Performance 2" narrowed adjustable beam (original had the shock towers cut off by PO) with new springs and bushings • 3/4" sway bar in front. Camber Compensator in rear • Oil pressure. oil temp. and CHT gauges (sympathetic installation) • New stock brakes all around with new dual circuit master cylinder and braided stainless steel flex lines • New correctly sized windshield and weather stripping (rear as well) with correct chromed steel trim (not in any of the photos. but in the videos)• Used in rotation as one of two daily drivers and for weekend mountain motoring • Will include all of the parts I have stashed for the car including a Sapphire I radio. a lowlight speedo/clock set (to make the dash correct). the original-to-the-car tempered windshield. the reproduction Petri steering wheel in the photos as well as an older restored '57 steering wheel correct to the car. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things and I'll update with anything that seems worth updating. • Tires are just a month or so older than one year with very light use since I only drive it when it's nice out and work from home on top of that. I think they're Bridgestone all seasons. Reason for sale: • My winter driver has a cracked block. and I need to replace the engine and/or get something a little more modern/less likely to turn me into raspberry jam in the event of an accident on icy winter roads. Sale: These early Ghias typically exchange hands in private deals. and it's not very common to find a public auction. "Lowlights" are Karmann Ghias made from 1955-1959 that are more true to the original Ghia design. They have headlights that are 2" lower. smaller tail lights. and different fresh air vents (among other differences). They are much more desirable than the later model cars because they are that much prettier. I was not able to find any completed auctions for 55-59 "Lowlight" Karmann Ghias. and the few listings out there for running driving cars that are more than rust molecules holding hands range in price from $21K USD to about $60K USD. The high side is showroom and stock. the low side is a bit crusty with some collision damage. This is in the middle. and I'm starting the listing on the lower side. There is no reserve. just a starting point that I think is fair. It's not in showroom condition. but it's a beautiful car that is set up to drive reliably. give a good deal more power than stock. and handle enthusiastically. You could easily buy it and drive it home. but I have worked with shippers in the past and will gladly do so here. Also know that it's jetted for 5. 00'. so if you want to drive it home or when you get it home. be prepared to change jets or you'll be really lean (I'll swap in some lower altitude jets of your choosing if you'd like). If you're local and want to see it in person. let me know. Just be aware that there will not be any test drives if there is any snow on the ground or has been recently; I'll not let it on the road in bad road conditions or if there's still salt residue anywhere. I have worked with shippers in the past. and will gladly work with yours. International buyers. please contact me before bidding. Negatives: • Some paint issues from life. minor chips and scratches • Rear valence over exhaust from the heat from a merged header from PO • I recently noticed some bubbling toward the rear of the rocker when I was taking the pan shots; not much. but full disclosure • Has had body work. It's been reasonably well done. but. again. full disclosure. The restoration is probably about five years old. and it's held up fine without any major issues. You never want to buy a recent restoration job. bad paint can look good at first. then filler starts to fall out about two years in. • Front center bumper section is dented from being backed into with a trailer hitch. Haven't spent much time or energy looking for a replacement. but the damage is limited to that (visible in photos to the PS of the license plate) • Rear center bumper overrider is painted grey for some unknown reason. I've had a lazy lookout for a replacement here as well. • Clock and radio currently installed (and in photos) are incorrect. but correct units come with sale• All of this is thoroughly documented in the videos below. I show/describe everything above in excruciating (and maybe a bit rambling) detail in the videos linked below. I've sold classic cars on and through eBay in the past. and both buyers still own the cars and still call me from time to time to ask technical questions or update me on the status of a restoration. or what have you. Why does this matter? After buying a car from me over the internet site unseen. they were happy and they don't hate me because there were zero surprises. I've bought cars in the same manner that were "rust free" and "running". and I know how much that sucks when those statements turn out to be false. Watch the videos. and if you have any questions (or just want to compliment me on my Oscar worthy cellphone videography skills) please do not hesitate. I'll do my best to answer any and all questions within 24 hours. I mention in the video that we have a cold front coming through tonight. so additional photos may be a bit delayed if there's a ton of snow. but I'll do my best (it should all be in the videos anyway).