Beyond the ubiquitous Volkswagen Beetles and the collectible early Porsche 911s, both companies’ air-cooled vehicles ran the gamut of vehicles including the Type 3 Squareback wagons and Volkswagen buses. You can even find the Volkswagen air-cooled engines powering airplanes. However, we’ve found a couple of air-cooled two-seaters for a fun round of “Would You Rather?” These are both project cars, but they look relatively complete. So would you rather have the ‘72 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia or the ‘74 Porsche 914?
Calling the Karmann Ghia a two-seater is technically incorrect, but for all intents and purposes, there are only two functional seats. The Karmann Ghia, internally called the Type 14, was designed to offer a sportier alternative to the contemporary Bugs despite having the same engine and similar underpinnings. They’re certainly more stylish than the stodgy Beetle and perhaps carry less of the Summer of Love association since the Karmann cost more.
The seller indicates there are a lot of positives, including a free-spinning 1.6-liter engine and solid floors. Since the car is in the Midwest, that’s a big plus. It has however, had some windows knocked out and no ignition key along with no title. So there are some hurdles, but at $1,500, it looks like a strong starting point if you’re after a Karmann Ghia.
On the flipside is this ‘74 Porsche 914, which was completed as a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen to provide a replacement for the Karmann Ghia (even though they were sold with some overlap). The 914 was offered originally with either a Volkswagen flat-four or the Porsche flat-six engine, the latter of which (the 914-6) has become collectible unlike the rest of the 914 line. This, however, is not a 914-6 but rather a U.S.-market “big-bore” 2.0-liter flat-four. That gives it considerably more power than the Karmann Ghia, though one could argue it doesn’t have the Karmann’s looks.
This particular example has sat for 15 years and the seller insists it was running when parked at the beginning of the millennium. Like the Karmann Ghia above, it’s also lacking a title but allegedly complete otherwise. While it’s not much of a looker, it’s also a reasonable 914 starting point at $2,100.
So with price and condition similar, which would you have: The curvy Karmann Ghia or the higher-performance (albeit still-derided by “Porsche enthusiasts”) 914?
VW . I used to hat them both but I’m starting to warm up to the VW .
No question, the 914. Handling, braking, it’s all there but the horsepower, and you can make that…
Always been a fan of the Karmin Ghia, plus it has more interior room for me! If you put the suspension from the 914 into the VW, then it would be perfect.
I’m going with the Karmann Ghia for looks and moderately less tinworm infestation. If the 914 were in better shape it would be a harder decision.
Both – after being treated to Subaru WRX transplants. The VW could be kept as it is for the ultimate sleeper and the 914 would look ace with wheel well flairs, 17 inch alloys and painted in Subaru blue.
I think it would be the Karmann Ghia for me! You dont see many of these at all and if its done right, you would definitely stand out driving this! Awesome post 🙂
Khloe
The Karmann Ghia for sure. I remember from having one in my driveway that they do handle better than the beetle, which I also had driving experience with. Also it is better looking – the 914 is flat out yoo-gully
Oh, memories… when I started my apprenticeship at Holdens (GM in Australia) in 1976, I had an EK 1961 Holden I paid $89 for (google it, looks a bit like a 57 Chev) and one of the guys had an immaculate Karmann Ghia, bright red. One afternoon as we’re walking to the car park he says ` I like your car – wanna swap?’ It took me by surprise so i said let me think about it, see you tomorrow. I told my brother who just looked at me and said `the car you paid $89 for? Why did you even hesitate?’ The next day I went up to him but overnight his dad called him an idiot for wanting a crappy old Holden so it never went ahead….
I’ve had both. The Ghia wins hands down. The mid engine in the 914 is a PITA to work on. Ghia with 2 litre 48 webers and a built trans will get you 12’s.