The '59 Karmann Ghia A Vintage Beauty in the Street Rod Scene
When it comes to classic sports cars, the Karmann Ghia was always a bit of an enigma. With its sleek, Italian-inspired lines, it looked every bit the part of a performance machine. But VW's legendary two-seater, for all its beauty, lacked one thing most sports cars boast: power. Volkswagen leaned into this quirky attribute with an ad campaign that was as humorous as it was self-aware. In a now-famous commercial, a Karmann Ghia in red tears through a desert, gearing up to burst through a paper wall—only to stop short, humorously unable to break through. "The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is the most economical sports car you can buy... it’s just not that powerful," the announcer chimes in, delighting audiences with its humble charm.
Uveer’s '59 Ghia: A Durban Take on a Classic
Enter the 1959 Karmann Ghia you see here, recently purchased by Uveer Ramnarayan, a dedicated air-cooled VW enthusiast. Uveer’s story with this Ghia began like any good vintage car romance: he spotted the car online, quickly made arrangements with the seller in Athlone, and soon found himself flying down from Durban to close the deal. Known as the "poor man's Porsche," the Ghia was irresistible for a true Volkswagen fan like Uveer.
With a focus on the low-and-sleek aesthetic, Uveer’s first mission was to drop the suspension and narrow the stance. He teamed up with friend Quinton Robinson, who helped overhaul the suspension to achieve the look. The front beam was narrowed by six inches, complemented by dropped spindles, giving the car an aggressive stance. In the rear, adjustable plates were installed, allowing for even more control over height. Finished off with a set of Dunlop low-profile tyres—195/50/15 up front and 185/65/15 in the rear—and whitewall inserts sourced from Nizaam in Cape Town, this Ghia was transformed into a sleek street rod, ready to turn heads.
But for all the changes, Uveer stayed true to the car’s heritage. Beyond the suspension, the Karmann Ghia remains largely original. From the upholstery to the six-volt electrical system, he’s committed to preserving the essence of this car's history. He even managed to acquire the car’s full service records, a rare find for any vehicle this age, making him only its second owner. Plans are already in motion for a respray in the original color, with careful attention to keep the car’s authenticity intact.
Looking Forward: A Growing Collection
For Uveer, the Karmann Ghia isn’t the end of the line. He's on a mission to expand his collection, with a 1955 split-window Beetle shell waiting in Bloemfontein, and a 1975 bay-window Kombi joining his stable. The Ghia, though, is special—it’s the start of something grand. Soon, this gorgeous ’59 will make its way home to Durban, where its fresh, vintage look and low-slung stance will undoubtedly attract a fair share of admirers. And for a car like the Karmann Ghia, it's clear that power isn’t everything—sometimes, it's all about the style, and this one’s got it in spades.
Click here for White Wall Inserts!
Enter the 1959 Karmann Ghia you see here, recently purchased by Uveer Ramnarayan, a dedicated air-cooled VW enthusiast. Uveer’s story with this Ghia began like any good vintage car romance: he spotted the car online, quickly made arrangements with the seller in Athlone, and soon found himself flying down from Durban to close the deal. Known as the "poor man's Porsche," the Ghia was irresistible for a true Volkswagen fan like Uveer.
With a focus on the low-and-sleek aesthetic, Uveer’s first mission was to drop the suspension and narrow the stance. He teamed up with friend Quinton Robinson, who helped overhaul the suspension to achieve the look. The front beam was narrowed by six inches, complemented by dropped spindles, giving the car an aggressive stance. In the rear, adjustable plates were installed, allowing for even more control over height. Finished off with a set of Dunlop low-profile tyres—195/50/15 up front and 185/65/15 in the rear—and whitewall inserts sourced from Nizaam in Cape Town, this Ghia was transformed into a sleek street rod, ready to turn heads.
But for all the changes, Uveer stayed true to the car’s heritage. Beyond the suspension, the Karmann Ghia remains largely original. From the upholstery to the six-volt electrical system, he’s committed to preserving the essence of this car's history. He even managed to acquire the car’s full service records, a rare find for any vehicle this age, making him only its second owner. Plans are already in motion for a respray in the original color, with careful attention to keep the car’s authenticity intact.
Looking Forward: A Growing Collection
For Uveer, the Karmann Ghia isn’t the end of the line. He's on a mission to expand his collection, with a 1955 split-window Beetle shell waiting in Bloemfontein, and a 1975 bay-window Kombi joining his stable. The Ghia, though, is special—it’s the start of something grand. Soon, this gorgeous ’59 will make its way home to Durban, where its fresh, vintage look and low-slung stance will undoubtedly attract a fair share of admirers. And for a car like the Karmann Ghia, it's clear that power isn’t everything—sometimes, it's all about the style, and this one’s got it in spades.
Click here for White Wall Inserts!
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