WARNING.— The person in whose name this vehicle is displayed may or may not be the current owner of the vehicle. Readers are warned, therefore, that this entry is not proof of ownership.
Details
- Registration Mark
- 71 D 22
- (a) Type:
- Karmann Ghia
- (b) Year:
- 1971
- (c) Colour:
- Light Ivory
- (d) Paint code:
- L80E
- (e) Engine CCs:
- 1600
History
- (a) Country of origin:
- United States
- (b) County first reg'd:
- Dublin
- (c) Current or last known location:
- Sligo
Model information
Karmann Ghia Convertible
Info
Thrill on the Hill was a great show in Waterford back in 1990 and 1991. It was supported by Tom Murphy Volkswagen as well as having involvement from many VW clubs around the country. Sadly it never continued but what it did do was bring out some never seen before VWs and in many cases, some never seen since VWs. One such VW was this 1971 Karmann Ghia Convertible. The Italian design is timeless and in the cabriolet format here it’s jaw dropping.
Modified without differing from the original design, the subtle changes included blacked out trim, Brazilian style stock rims that were chromed, slightly lowered and a Monza 4 Tip exhaust to give a throaty roar to the 1600cc engine sitting out the back! The colour looks more white than the Light Ivory (L80E) that it would have had in 1971 but we do not know if this is the original colour or a later repaint in a random shade of white.
It certainly drew a large crowd parked up in Waterford but we wonder where it is now.
UPDATE January 2026 Tsar Sheane: The Sheane name is synonymous with aircooled VWs in Ireland, with the Sheane family’s Blainroe Garage being one of the first VW dealers in Ireland, so it is no surprise when we get a vehicle update from one of the extended family, in this case, Tsar Sheane. As well as the following update, Tsar thinks he may have some photos of this Karmann Ghia so hopefully he will be able to unearth them. “I owned that briefly around 2005 or 6. I know because of the Beetle rear bumper. I did a tangle with Dan Harris and took the Boobie Bouncer Beetle in as part exchange. Dan drove it for a bit and sold it to John Roberts who was restoring VWs in Sligo. I think he kept the Ghia for his wife but I’m not sure. All I know is that I have not seen it since. I might ask Dan if he knows anything about it.”
Thanks Tsar for your update. We really appreciate you taking the time to add more to the history of this Volkswagen.
Additional Photos
