h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I longed to own a Karmann Ghia, since the day, in 1967, as a boy of six, I first clapped my eyes on one.

The lady doctor at the top of the road where my Gran lived owned one. Dr Stoop had a pale blue type I (coupe) with a white roof, and I thought it was a beautiful car.

I dreamed pipe dreams for years about owning one, and in the late '90's joined the KGOC - uk (http://www.kgoc-gb.org/ ) where I found owners and members willing to share vital information about ownership and finding a car, without which, I may have bought a bottomless pit for money.

The thing is, being coachbuilt, and not really made for salt-laden roads, the poor Karmann Ghia suffers from rust more than most cars. Being a wonderfully sculptured shape, this makes body repair quite expensive.

After searching for years, and prompted by an incident of sudden death of a neighbour (roadcrash) I realised life was far too short for pipe dreams.

I took out a loan in June 1998, and purchased my very own VW Karmann Ghia in August 1998, after spending some money on one I found.

I adore the beauty, the simplicity of engineering, and the joy of driving it. It is most reliable, and is re-sprayed in its original Castilion yellow, a sort of early pearlescent colour which changes from beige in dull cloud,, to a bright yellow in sunshine.

I bought a LHD, 1967 type I, which, as I say I had re-sprayed. It looked ivory when I first saw it, as it had been kept in California, in the blistering sunshine, and lost its lustre being bleached by sunlight. The respray and re-upholster and re-carpet were the only things I did to it. Originally it had air-con. It still has hazard warning lights, a cigarette lighter, and a clock and a Blaupunkt radio (you don't get much more on a modern car!!!)

Anyone wishing to know more about these wonderful cars should visit the KGOC home pages, and learn what they will.

I have been on a camping holiday in mine, driven the length of the country for a holiday in Cornwall, and sometimes get a bit embarrassed when people approach to ask what the car is (it happens everywhere, especially in petrol stations).. but, that said, i iam proud to own one.

What they might not get a real flavour for is the sheer joy one brings.

That sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing.

I've never seen a Karmann Ghia other than on photos - and I live in Germany.