The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a sports car marketed in 2+2 coupe (1955ââ¬â1974) and convertible (1957ââ¬â1974) body styles by Volkswagen. The Karmann Ghia combined the chassis and mechanicals of the Type 1 (Beetle) with styling by Luigi Segre of the Italian carrozzeria Ghia and hand-built bodywork by the German coach-builder Karmann. A later variant was introduced in 1961, featuring angular bodywork, based on the Type 3 chassis and mechanicals.