I’m always intrigued by the variety of market specific vehicles that Volkswagen has produced over the years. From the myriad of Citi Golfs I’ve seen all over South Africa to the SP2 of the Brasilian market, this is a company that’s been very adept at making niche models for regional tastes. Case in point this 1975 Karmann Ghia TC for sale in São Paulo, Brasil. Produced from 1970 through 1976, this coupe was based on the Type 3 chassis and used the 1600cc “pancake” flat-4. This was the direct successor to the Type 14 Karmann Ghia and was sold only in South America. Just over 18,000 copies were ever produced.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1975 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia TC on eBay
Year: 1975
Model: Karmann Ghia TC
Engine: 1.6 liter flat-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 9,999 mi
Price: No reserve auction
1975 Karmann Ghia TC (Touring Coupe)
1/80 cars in this yellow
All original
Excelent condition
Restored about 10 years ago
Mechanically sound and checked
1600 dual carbs
Great runnerThis is my own car. It sits in my garage next to another blue TC which is also up for sale.
As a hobby and means of living, I’ve been buying and selling classic cars for the past few years.
I have exported other cars abroad, so shipping is not an issue.At this price, you are getting Brazilian market price straight from the source. Everything else you see up for sale internationally normally has an outrageous built-in profit margin. Prices are favourable to US/European buyers due to the Brazilian economic crises, which has made the price of the Dollar skyrocket this past year,
However, this scenario has already been changing with the impeachment of our former president (Dilma), meaning that the price of the US Dollar is going to go down and prices for US/European buyer are going up.
If you or your mate think that buying two TCs from Brazil for a great price and at the same time is a great deal, don’t forget that shipping 2 cars in the same container make the expenses much cheaper.
About this TC and the blue one
In terms of mechanics, both cars have gone thru a complete revision.
Air cooled VWs in Brazil are easily maintained as all parts are available at any local dealer.
I had the cambelts changed, all new rubbers on the suspension, brake pads, discs, filters et etc etc.
Both cars are rust free. The paint job on the blue one is slightly better, as it’s a more recent restoration, while the yellow one has very few marks here and there.
Being very fussy, I would say the paint job is an 8.0 out of 10 for both cars.
The interior on the blue TC has more carpet (felt), while the yellow TC remains with original rubber mats. Apart from that, they look pretty much the same. Some TLC would go on well on both the inside of the cars.
The yellow TC is on radial tires while the blue TC has skinny diagnonal tires, meaning the yellow TC is slightly more confortable to drive.
The over riders (an acessory) on the yellow TC give the car a smarter look and they make no difference when you’re washing or waxing the car. However, the back bumper on the yellow TC has got a few dents and dings, while the front bumper is perfect as well as both bumpers on the blue TC.
As in Brazil no oficial records of number of previous owners or original mileage is kept, I really can’t tell you more about the history of the cars. The yellow TC shows just under 90000 Km on the clock, but as it only goes up to 100000 km, I’m not sure how many times the clock has gone around.
Shipping
Shipping to the US is about U$ 3000. If you have two cars sent in one container the price is about U$ 5000 for both cars.
About the Karmann Ghia TC
As an alternative to the Type 34 Karmann-Ghia coupé, which Volkswagen had introduced to Europe in 1961, Karmann-Ghia do Brasil looked to Ghia in Turin for a reworked version of the Type 14 at the end of the 1960s. At the time Ghia employed Giorgetto Giugiaro, the famous Italian designer and he was set to work on the new Brazilian Karmann Ghia. The result was the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia TC (Touring Coupé), internally known as the Type 145, which was introduced in 1970.
This was a roomy 2+2 coupe with a modern and comfortable interior. Underneath, it was similar to the Type 14, although the platform of the Volkswagen Variant was used rather than that of the Volkswagen Beetle. The main difference was the engine: the Type 145 TC was fitted with the 1584 cc flat-four air-cooled boxer unit from the Type 3 instead of the 1192 cc unit of the Type 14. The car had 65 hp (48 kW) @ 4600 rpm and a top speed of 86 mph (138 km/h), compared to the 34 hp (25 kW) and 72 mph (116 km/h) of the Type 14.
The bigger horizontal rear lights give a more modern look and we even see some hints of Porsche in the styling. The interior is simple and austere and will look familiar to anyone who has ever been in a beetle: standing pedals, simple round instruments and a passenger grab handle.
The TC started production in 1972 (and went to ’75, making about 18,000 copies) and like many cars of the era, it has a relatively tall greenhouse, which lends to an airy, open interior. It pays homage to the flowing lines of the original Karmann-Ghia in its fender lines, but the fastback rear and long (if empty) hood and short deck give it a classic GT car look.
There’s tasteful chrome detailing all over the car, too, from the simple twin cabin-fresh air grilles in front, to the graceful, almost delicate bumpers to the four engine air intakes at the rear — one of which cleverly flips open to reveal the oil filler/dipstick.
The TC has a decent sized trunk under that long hood up front, and the rear hatch opens to reveal another luggage area. The split-folding rear seats drop to make even more room, making this a surprisingly practical little baby-GT car.
When I first spotted this Karmann Ghia TC, I thought it might have been a Glas 1700GT. The ad copy for this vehicle is rather curious, as it lists the car as “all original” and then states “restored about 10 years ago.” Note to sellers: it’s either one or the other. I have no idea how a Karmann Ghia like this would be valued here in the US market. There may only be a handful of these in the US at most, so you know hardcore VW collectors would value them just a bit more than the Type 14 or Type 34 Karmann Ghias.
-Paul
