Today’s VW is a turn-key classic convertible ready for summer fun. Will its price however, have you pining for winter?

Over the years Volkswagen has tried to be all things to all people, offering everything from sensible and cheap family cars to stately executive sedans that hardly anyone bought due to the badge on the front being so closely associated with... well, sensible and cheap family cars.

One of the more interesting niches into which the company has delved is the diesel-engined sports car, exemplified by such show cars as the lust-worthy Bluesport Roadster and in production metal in the form of the current generation Scirocco TDI. We never got either of those here in the U.S. but thanks to a few intrepid souls like the seller of yesterday’s we’re able to get into the smokers lounge in a sport coat too. Unfortunately, that car’s unfinished form left too much to the imagination and its price fell in a 58% Crack Pipe loss.

I guess most of you like your Volkswagens a little more put together, and for you—yes, even you—we today have a that’s apparently ready to rock.

Now, I was thinking about this the other night: has any other auto manufacturer ever named their car for two other companies? Volkswagen named the Karmann Ghia after the coach builder where they commissioned for it to be built, and the Italian design house that penned its lines. Of course they also had another Karmann Ghia, the Typ 34 but that one was based off the larger Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback) platform. With the exception of handful of prototype convertibles the Typ 34 never officially dropped its top, but that’s just what this Typ 14 does, and nicely too I might add.

The car is described as having been restored, with a ‘higher-horsepower motor.’ It still sports a single barrel carb so while the seller says it’s ‘much more zippy’ it’s still likely going to offer geriatric acceleration.

Aesthetically, it seems to be in nice shape and very clean. It has what’s described as new paint and while we don’t see it with the lid up, it does appear to be there. The nose is interesting as it lacks both the grilles that are expected, as well as the VW badge forward of the boot lid. That’s some custom work then, perhaps to be expected on an older car with a bulbous nose above an ineffectual bumper. Also conspicuous by their absence is the brightwork around the windshield and the twin side strips that are both presently AWOL. Steel wheels with full caps do brighten things up a bit.

The ad notes some rust underneath, which is to be expected as Karmann is the world’s leading provider of the stuff. The seller says it’s not serious, and to move along, nothing to see here.

Moving along to the interior we’re faced with a black dash rather than the expected painted woodgrain. Perhaps to make up for that there’s a wood-rimmed Grant GT steering wheel. It all looks perfectly serviceable and as simple as simon to figure out where everything (execpt for the heater controls) lies.

The price for this restored driver droptop is $14,000 which if you’ve been tracking Karmann Ghia prices lately like I have will probably raise an eyebrow in interest. Yes, much like Porsches these days, sporty Volkswagens of yore are asking—and getting—crazy prices. This one may not seem all that crazy, but then, that’s what we’re here to find out.

What’s your take on this Ghia and that $14,000 price? Does that seem like a deal to drive a classic car? Or, is that price so high that this ad looks like just an excuse for the present owner to show off his girlfriends?

You decide!

Missoula MT , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to mtdrift for the hookup!

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