Karmann Ghia – Blast From The Past

Photo from my Motorola RAZR cameraphone

31 Jul ’06, 7.26pm EDT

Originally uploaded by Geoff Fox.

Today, on my way to work, I had to stop at the oil company. If you’re not from the Northeast, this might surprise you. Many homes here are heated with oil, delivered by truck, year round.

Anyway, as I parked, it caught my eye. A blazing orange 1974 Karmann Ghia. I loved those little cars. Back in the late 60s and early 70s this was my dream ride.

Here’s the truth. The Karmann was just a Volkswagen with a nicely styled body. It still couldn’t accelerate out of its own way. It was tiny, tinny and cramped.

My assumption was, they came from the factory with rust pre-installed. That’s probably why, though loved, there aren’t many left.

Actually, this one looked pretty good. It had that slightly oxidized flat finish that cars from that era acquired with age (and without wax).

You know what? All that practical stuff means nothing. It was a sweet looking ride and helped define an era.

Can your Taurus say that?


7 thoughts on “Karmann Ghia – Blast From The Past”

  1. That is a pretty sweet ride. It looks fast, I find it hard to believe it doesn’t. My father owned a Javelin way back around 1970. I don’t know where it is now

  2. My Kharman had A/C. When turned on the back end would drop several inches, as if Andre the Giant sat down on the back hood. Did 40 miles to the gallon back in the sixties going through back roads from Kanab, UT to Tombstone, AZ… Just loved it,,,

  3. My Kharman had A/C. When turned on the back end would drop several inches, as if Andre the Giant sat down on the back hood. Did 40 miles to the gallon back in the sixties going through back roads from Kanab, UT to Tombstone, AZ… Just loved it,,,

  4. My Kharman had A/C. When turned on the back end would drop several inches, as if Andre the Giant sat down on the back hood. Did 40 miles to the gallon back in the sixties going through back roads from Kanab, UT to Tombstone, AZ… Just loved it,,,

  5. My Kharman had A/C. When turned on the back end would drop several inches, as if Andre the Giant sat down on the back hood. Did 40 miles to the gallon back in the sixties going through back roads from Kanab, UT to Tombstone, AZ… Just loved it,,,

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