This 1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a “Lowlight” coupe that has been refurbished and modified under prior ownership. Work included refinishing the car in metallic bronze, re-trimming the cabin in tan and brown upholstery, and installing a replacement 2,276cc flat-four and four-speed manual transaxle. Additional equipment includes Porsche Cup-style 16″ alloy wheels, 944-sourced four-wheel disc brakes, a modified suspension, a CB Performance 82mm crankshaft, H-beam connecting rods, Mahle pistons and cylinders, Steve Timms stage 2 cylinder heads, Web Cam camshafts, dual Weber carburetors, a 911-style engine cooling fan, a stainless-steel tubular header, MSD electronic ignition, chrome bumpers, a banjo-style steering wheel, and a hidden Alpine stereo. The current owner reportedly acquired this Karmann Ghia in 2016 and it is now offered at no reserve on dealer consignment with a magazine featuring the car and a clean California title listing the car as a 1958 model.
The “Lowlight” body is said to have received bodywork before being repainted in metallic bronze in 2015 by Kustom Coach Werks of Grand Junction, Colorado. Exterior elements include chrome bumpers and trim, a vented decklid, and a Karmann body tag affixed to the right fender. Close-up images of the paint, trim, and imperfections are provided in the gallery below.
Polished 16″ Porsche Cup-style wheels are mounted with a mixed set of 175/55 and 195/50 Yokohama tires. Braking is handled by Porsche 944-sourced four-wheel disc brakes with red-finished calipers and slotted and cross-drilled rotors. The suspension has been modified and is said to feature a 4″ narrowed link-pin beam, 1/4″ plate shock towers, Century Distributors 2.5″ forged drop front spindles, an EMPI sway bar, 3/4″ DOM tubing tie rods, Sway-A-Way 28mm rear torsion bars, JayCee bronze spring plate retainers, and an EMPI camber compensator kit.
The two-tone brown and tan cabin was refurbished and is equipped with front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in brown leather upholstery. Appointments include CocoMats floor mats, front lap belts, hand-crank side windows, and a hidden stereo with an Alpine amplifier, speakers, and subwoofer. The Blaupunkt radio is non-functional.
A banjo-style steering wheel fronts a body-color dashboard housing a VDO 90-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and a fuel level gauge. Stewart Warner auxiliary gauges are mounted below the dashboard. The five-digit odometer shows 5k miles, and true mileage is unknown.
The 2,276cc flat-four is said to have been rebuilt and modified by Kustom Coach Werks using a replacement magnesium engine case. Additional components are said to include:
- CB Performance 82mm crankshaft with Chevrolet rod journals
- 5.400″ H-beam connecting rods
- Mahle 94mm “B” pistons and cylinders
- Steve Timms stage 2 cylinder heads
- 42mm intake and 37mm exhaust valves
- Web Cam #121 camshafts and lifters
- EMPI straight-cut camshaft gear
- Full-flow oil system with dual coolers
- Smith Brothers 3/8″ aluminum pushrods
- Dual springs and chromoly spring retainers
- 911-style cooling fan with a fiberglass shroud
- Dual Weber 48 IDF carburetors
- Sidewinder stainless-steel tubular header
- MSD electronic ignition
- Wiring Works wiring harness
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a replacement Super Street Swingaxle four-speed manual transaxle that was reportedly rebuilt and modified by RC Trans of Las Vegas, Nevada, and is equipped with 3.88:1 gearing.
