BaT Auction: Porsche 912–Powered 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

This 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupe is powered by a rebuilt 1,720cc flat-four sourced from a 1969 Porsche 912 and paired with a four-speed manual gearbox from Rancho Performance Transaxles. The car reportedly spent time in Arizona prior to being acquired by the seller in 2015 and relocated to California. A subsequent refurbishment was carried out that included refinishing the car in yellow, reupholstering the custom leather and cloth interior, replacing rubber seals, and installing the replacement drivetrain. Equipment includes 15″ wheels, chrome bumpers and trim, a sliding fabric sunroof, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, and dual exhaust outlets. Service preformed in preparation for the sale included an oil change and replacement of the axle boot and the starter and relay. This modified Karmann Ghia is offered with refurbishment photos, service records, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

Previously metallic blue, the car was stripped, the glass was removed, and the body was refinished in Manila Yellow (L560) under current ownership, according to the seller. The bumpers also were rechromed and rubber seals replaced during the refurbishment. Additional exterior features include chrome body-side moldings, front grilles, a driver-side exterior mirror, and dual exhaust outlets. 

Wide-five 15″ steel wheels are mounted with Achilles ATR Sport tires measuring 185/55 up front and Dunlop Direzza DZ102 rubber in size 195/55 at the rear. The suspension consists of a ball-joint front end with drop spindles and a 19mm sway bar, while the rear axle is equipped with a camber compensator and gas shocks. Braking is handled by front and rear discs.

The cabin features front bucket seats upholstered in black leather with black and yellow houndstooth fabric inserts. The door panels were sourced from a 1967 Porsche 912 featuring long pockets, and the carpeting is a gray square-weave German wool. Additional interior features include body-color metal with a black upper dashboard, crank windows, a folding rear bench seat, a Blaupunkt radio, and a sliding fabric sunroof. The seller notes that the AM band of the radio does not work.

The tan two-spoke steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation from a Porsche 912 consisting of a 120-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and a fuel gauge. Additional VDO gauges for voltage, oil pressure, and oil temperature have been installed in the center of the lower dashboard. The odometer shows 43k miles, approximately 6k of which have been added since completion of the build; true chassis mileage is unknown.

The Porsche 912–sourced flat-four has been bored to displace 1,720cc and features an external oil sump as well as dual Solex P4-11 carburetors with mesh air cleaners. The replacement engine was installed in October 2016 by David Bustamente of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Service completed in preparation for the sale included an oil change and replacement of the starter and relay.

Engine-case serial number 4094264 is consistent with a Porsche 912 flat-four built in 1969 and slated for the North American market.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Pro Street four-speed manual transaxle supplied by Rancho Performance Transaxles. The car is also equipped with a 200mm flywheel and clutch as well as a Dansk sport muffler.

Build records and photos of the engine and transmission installation are presented in the gallery below.

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