GT5 Transcripts/Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe (Type-1) '68

In 1955, a full eighteen years after the release of the original KdF, also more popularly known by its nickname, the "Beetle", the Karmann Ghia made its appearance. As practical and economical as the Beetle was, there was no denying that the car had lost its sense of freshness. Wrapped up in Italian styling, the Karmann Ghia, along with the Transporter, which was introduced five years earlier in 1950, brought a newly replenished sense of freshness to the then-mundane Volkswagen.
The production of a Karmann Ghia was actually relatively complicated. First, a body designed by the Italian Carrozzeria Ghia was laid over the basic components of a Volkswagen 1200, and then production was undertaken by the German coach-builder Karmann.
Since the Karmann Ghia was still using the same engine used by the Beetle 1200, it didn't have outstanding performance. However, its sporty design, which was heavily inspired by Italian sports cars, was enough to give Volkswagen an entirely new and refreshed image.
The most significant achievement of the Karmann Ghia was opening the way for Beetle-minded Volkswagen to develop new models.
For Volkswagen fans familiar with the Beetle, the Karmann Ghia was a stunning departure. The result of this was a pleasant miscalculation with over 4,000 vehicles sold in the first four years in spite of initial plans to limit production to only 400 units. In 1957 a cabriolet was added to original line-up of 2- and 4-seater coupes, and subsequently the engine displacement was also increased.
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