Hardcover Book - The VW Beetle Including Karmann Ghia - Jonathan Wood

The book The VW Beetle Including Karmann Ghia: A Collector’s Guide by Jonathan Wood is a detailed reference published in 1983, covering the history, specifications, and collector appeal of Volkswagen’s Beetle and its stylish sibling, the Karmann Ghia.

Key Details

• Title: The VW Beetle Including Karmann Ghia: A Collector’s Guide

• Author: Jonathan Wood

• Publisher: Motor Racing Publications (MRP), Chiswick, UK

• Publication Date: 1983

• Format: Hardcover (dust jacket in most editions)

• Length: 144 pages

• ISBN: 0-900549-67-X

Content Overview

• Origins of the Beetle: Development in the 1930s under Ferdinand Porsche, mass production after WWII.

• Evolution: Covers major changes in the Beetle from early split-window models to later 1970s versions.

• Karmann Ghia: Dedicated chapters on the coupe and convertible, designed by Ghia and built by Karmann, highlighting its role as VW’s stylish alternative.

• Collector’s Guide:

  • Model-by-model descriptions

  • Technical specifications

  • Production figures

  • Advice for collectors and restorers

• Illustrations: Period photographs, diagrams, and promotional images.

 Collectibility

• This book is part of the respected Collector’s Guide series, aimed at enthusiasts and restorers.

 Historical Context

Jonathan Wood is a well-known motoring historian and founding contributor to Classic Cars magazine. His Beetle guides are praised for combining historical narrative with practical collector advice, making them useful for both casual readers and serious VW enthusiasts.