| ext">The Karmann Ghia was essentially a VW Beetle | | | | Chassis with a shell that was hand built to perfection |
| with a different body shell attached, yet it is considered | | | | using methods not seen anywhere else but on the |
| an elegant sports car. So what constitutes a sports | | | | world’s finest cars. |
| car? For the Karmann Ghia it was all about styling. | | | | Then end result was a car which could not reach |
| In the years following World War II VW had been | | | | 100mph unlike its rivals, but this could easily be |
| successfully producing small and efficient automobiles | | | | overlooked thanks to its beautiful styling and knowing it |
| like the Beetle, with a reputation for outstanding | | | | wouldn’t let you down whilst out on the road. |
| reliability. But as time wore on consumers began | | | | During its 18 year production run, around half a million |
| demanding vehicles with style and elegance, reflecting | | | | people considered these points more important than |
| the changing attitudes at the time. This call was | | | | thoroughbred racing performance. |
| answered by the Karmann Ghia. | | | | It is worth noting that VW emphasised all of the above |
| The end result however was a car which appealed to | | | | facts in its advertising. They made it a point to openly |
| 2 very different groups. There were those who | | | | declare that it was mechanically identical to the Beetle, |
| wanted a Porsche on a VW budget, and those who | | | | and had slogans such as "The 1963 Volkswagen |
| wanted a beautiful European touring car that was | | | | Karmann Ghia. Slower, but Prettier Than Any |
| durable. This was achieved because VW chose to | | | | Porsche!". This was an honest advertising campaign, |
| stick to its reliable Beetle chassis, yet covered that | | | | and captured the attention of the public. |