|
Home
| |
Some may think only two types of Karmann Ghia exist, the Type 14 and the Type 34, they are mistaken... Brasil produced a Karmann Ghia from 1972 to 1975. A very interesting fastback that was unfortunately unknown in Europe.
The American market considered that the athletic character of the small cut typical Type 14 was not enough asserted to the eyes of several consumers. So Karmann Ghia had VW of Brazil build an initiative, more athletic model, on the basis of the Type 3 and more or less inspired Porsche 911, the Karmann-Ghia TC (Touring Coupe).
The production of the Karmann Ghia TC debuted Brazil in 1972 and was produced until 1975. By comparison, the traditional KG Type14 was produced in Sao Paulo making 23,402 models in 9 years. This is the success that has won the TC models, totally unknown under our European skies. The Karmann Ghia TC is thought of as a Type 3 Fastback Karmann Ghia. Only the ventilations on the nose panel, the logo on the rear deck lid, and the rounded characteristics of the fenders recall the original shape of the Type 14.
To the back you can see the original four series of cooling vents that are placed to the very rear of the wide decklid. The turn signals are very wide and comply to the requirements of 1970. At last, the oversized Karmann Ghia logo is placed horizontally on the left side of the cover motor. The smaller TC logo is positioned on the opposite side.
The motor is a 1600 cc originating from the pancake style of the Type 3. Added performance was obtained by the adoption of a horizontal cooling system and by the addition of two Solex 32 PSI carburetors, which was what placed the TC to the same level motorization as the Type34 of the European market.
The Karmann Ghia TC was never officially distributed to the USA. The only inventoried copy in Europe is preserved in the private Museum of Karmann in Osnabrück.
Karmann Ghia TC 1972 - 1975
Displacement: 1584 cc
Bore: 85.5 mm
Stroke: 69.0 mm
Rates Compression: 7:8:1
Engine: 65 HP (SAE) @ 4600RPM
Torque: 12 mkg (SAE) @ 3000rpm
Speed max: 137.4 km/h
Weight: 920 kg
Overall lenght: 420.4 cm
Maximum width: 162.0 cm
Height: 131.4 cm
Wheelbase: 240 cm
Front: 131.6 cm
Rear: 135.8 cm
Distance from ground: 15.2 cm
Acceleration:
0 - 40 4.6 s
0 - 60 8.3 s
0 - 80 14.2 s
0 - 100 21.3 s
0 - 120 36.1 s
(Click on images to enlarge)
The Karmann Ghia TC
|
