1959 VW Karmann Ghia Coupe For Sale

Purchased from original owner in 1991 by Karmann Ghia "guru" Scott Dempster.
At that time it was the most original, untouched Pre 1960 ("low light") Ghia he had ever seen.
It had 29,250 original miles and was kept covered in a garage in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The ONLY change to the car was the outside had been painted white.
None of the interior, door jambs, or inner deck lids were painted and were still the original Dolphin blue color.
The most amazing thing was all rubber mats were present and in very good condition.
The car was restored starting in 1998 and finished in 2001.
The only new upholstery is the front seats and headliner.
The original pin point leatherette was found, along with correct welt and insert cloth to match the untouched back seat.
All original parts were either left on the ghia or replace with NOS German parts throughout.
The ONLY rechromed part is the bow (upper tube) on the front bumper.
The paint was returned to original, both mixed and sprayed by DuPont Rep - Chris Morgan.
A second hood was cut out for a Judson hood scoop and painted at the same time.
(This, along with a Judson supercharger set up can be included in the sale for an additional $3000.)

The trunk area is gorgeous and as stock and proper as you could ever dream of.

Original body tag.

Stunningly clean spare tire well area.

True "virgin" nose.

Wiring cover/ trunk liner is in amazing condition.

Wiring is spotless.

Glove box is sound and solid.

New Mexico inspection sticker dating back to the 70's

Interior is beautiful.
The only replaced items being the front seat upholstery and the headliner which were redone to exacting standards.

Original door panels are in impressive condition.

The original rubber floor mats which are very often brittle and coming apart, are in very nice condition
with only a minimal amount of heel wear.

The seats were done in the proper grade materials with the exact stitch patterns of the original.

Steering wheel has a couple of small age cracks but very little wear.

Mileage is original to the car! Amazing!

Clock and fuel gauge.
Car never had a mirror or antenna mounted to the outside, and no radio either!

Beautiful.


The shifter is spotlessly clean with the proper knob in place and grey shifter boot.

Note the red spot on the heater control knob...something that is most often worn off with use.

Handbrake is clean as well.
(boot not original?)

Headliner is in the correct materials and is very well fit.

Excellent.

Rear seat and panels as well as the carpet is all original.

Very clean in all the corners...a nice car indeed.

The rubber mats are just amazing to me...all intact!

Hinges are solid. Body seals are all excellent.

Domelight and mirror detail.
Visors are in excellent condition as well.

Glovebox retains the original sticker on the door and is very very clean inside.

Original owners manual and other literature is included.

Great "Tips" booklet

Service booklet.

The original owner's info as well as the body and engine numbers are documented here.

Close up of the wheel...

Beautiful car from all angles.

Open up and say "ahhh"

This is the original numbers matching 36 horse engine and it runs excellent.
Very clean engine compartment.

Cant get much cleaner and more correct than this..

Check this number against the one in the service book...the original engine!

Proper Bosch vacuum advance distributor in place.

Correct air cleaner and coil.

Very clean under the engine lid as well.

Super clean under the engine too...very nice.

Floor pans are superb.
Not a speck of rust top be found.
The dry New Mexico climate and a garaged life served this car very well.

Dreamy to find one this solid!

The chrome is excellent, the fit and finish is factory superb.

The shape of these "low light" Ghias is so beautiful.
Later model years remained attractive but began to lose the purity of the original design.
The 59 and earlier models are the ones the collectors truly prize.

The small grilles were discontinued in 1960 and were made nearky twice as large.

Original wheels with the trim rings and painted center hubcaps.
Period correct bias ply tires are in like new condition.

Super smooth rockers.

Taillights are in superb condition.

License light as well is very clean.
When the body was repainted, Scott decided to fill the screw holes for the license plate
and to go with the theme of a car that had just been delivered to the dealership.
Things like the plates, mirror and antenna were all installed at dealer level before delivery to the customer.
So when the car is shown, he puts the exterior mirror in the glove box as it came when they rolled off the boat fresh from Germany.

Large Karmann Ghia script.

Original dealer sticker on the back bumper is in amazing condition for being nearly 50 years old!

Smooth and understated...blackwall tires and all.

What a great find!
Very well preserved and brought up to show standards by a fellow that knows Ghias better than most anyone.
This is a car that will be a prized addition to any collection.

One of automotive design's most beautiful shapes!