Ventura, CA (OPENPRESS) August 7, 2008 -- Possibly the most original 50's "lowlight" Karmann Ghia in the world, this vintage VW just sold for a record $45,000 USD.
This Karmann Ghia was the pride and joy of Karmann Ghia Parts and Restoration ( http://www.karmannghia.com ) founder Scott Dempster, who had owned this 1959 Dolphin Blue Ghia for 17 years.
A previous offer of $40,000 based on only photos was bested by the first buyer to see the Ghia in person. Shigeo Hayashi from "Bug Works" in Toyama, Japan, was the buyer who paid the asking price before he even heard it run. He was purchasing the car for an undisclosed buyer in Japan. About the deal, Mr. Hayashi commented, "This was a very good price for this Ghia"
The original ad and photos may still be seen at: http://www.airheadparts.com/ads/showproduct.php?product=118 Dempster (who's current company Airhead Parts manufactures and distributes restoration parts for the VW Bug, Bus, Ghia and Vanagon) has another dozen Ghias he is putting up for sale this summer. "The others are not finished show cars", says Dempster, "They are VW restoration projects that were too good to part out. I have Coupes and Convertibles of all years, but more interesting is my extensive collections of vintage VW restoration parts ( http://www.airheadparts.com/home.asp ) and accessories I have been collecting since the 80's. I will offer my collection through the Airhead Parts website's classified section http://www.airheadparts.com/ads/index.php and later on EBay. I have over 1000 original VW restoration parts, mostly Ghia and some VW Bug parts as well. It will take a year to sell it all!" Asked why he is selling now, Dempster explained, "Because I only do a restoration every three or four years now, I don't need all these Ghias and associated parts. So this is for all the active enthusiasts who are currently searching for restorable cars and/or restoration parts and accessories for their air-cooled projects".
Dempster is particularly pleased by the positive effects on his vintage VW parts business - AIrhead Parts, due to rising prices throughtout the Vintage VW market. "It is not uncommon now to see a resotred VW bus going for over $30,000 and the more common 70s VW bug, which only a year or two ago went for $800 or $2,000, have doubled in price. But they are still the most economical car on the market. Besides getting 26- 34 MPG. A full set of brakes for an old VW Beetle is about $50! Same is true for most vw beetle parts because they manufactured over 22 milliion in 4 or 5 countries for over 45 years! So parts are easily supplied and still inexpensive."
About the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
Hand assembled (coach built) by Karmann of Osnabrueck Germany and designed by Ghia of Turin, Italy, the VW Karmann Ghia was priced around $2500 when it was introduced in 1955, about the same as Austin Healys or Alfa Romeos of the same vintage. But unlike those other cars, Karmann Ghia Coupes in excellent condition rarely sell for more than $15,000.00 USD, though a 58 Karmann Ghia Convertible in Southern California sold for a whooping $55,000 earlier in 2008.
About Airhead Parts
VW Restoration Parts-Classic Volkswagen Beetle Bus Ghia Vanagon, Body Trim Accessories, Original or Econo. International and domestic orders ship same day from our warehouse on the West Coast. Classic VW is all Airhead Parts does, specializing in stock replacement vintage parts for Air-Cooled VWs (1950s , 1960s & 1970s) and Vanagons to 1992. At Airhead Parts, we supply German parts, O.E.M. (original equipment manufacturer), new old stock (N.O.S. - originally out of Wolfsburg) and high quality reproduction Bus, Ghia Vanagon and VW Bug parts. Airhead Parts started as a VW restoration shop in So California, import parts and repairs for VWs being all we did. That was over 20 years ago, now we reproduce over 800 quality vintage VW parts. So it is easy to see why we have the tech tips and general knowledge to not only get you the right part for your old Bug, Bus, Ghia, Type 3 or Vanagon Volkswagen models, but to also help you "get her done..."
Contact:
Dave Liddell
General Manager
Dave@airheadparts.com
www.Airheadparts.com
805 650 2045
