Description
1969 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Electric (EV Conversion)
Registration No: WAX 105 Chassis No: the details below MOT: July 2026
Supplied new to Bermuda in 1970 before arriving in the United Kingdom in 1975
Cosmetically restored prior to the vendor's purchase in 2020
Provided with a full electric conversion by the vendor, an electrical engineer, using a kit from EV Europe
Utilisies two Tesla battery packs and EV Europe motor unit
Offered with a comprehensive technical and history file and correctly registered with the DVLA as an electric vehicle.
At first glance, this Karmann Ghia looks like a standard petrol version. It’s evidently been well-maintained, the paint is eye-catching and some natty aftermarket wheels set it off very nicely. There’s a surprise lurking under the skin, though. Gone is the famous Beetle flat-four with its distinctive patter – hiding in this car is an electric motor. This 1969 model was sold originally through Masters Ltd. in Hamilton, Bermuda, in 1970, but was imported to Britain in 1975 and registered ‘HKS 667N’. It is understood to have been grey originally, though the colour was changed to red in 1981. The present personalised registration was acquired when the previous owner bought it in 2010. He kept the Karmann until 2020 and, during that 10-year window, effected considerable renovations which brought it up to its present show-car appearance. The work included repainting the body in Porsche Guards Red, fitting the chromed replica Fuchs wheels and renovating the interior in a beautiful two-tone with a Retro Radio.
The present owner took matters further in 2021, when he (an electrical engineer) converted the Volkswagen to electric power using Tesla battery packs and a 90kW EV Hype motor from EV Europe. The front and rear battery packs respectively contain three and four 5. 3kWh Tesla Model S battery modules, which give a total of 37. 1kWh and a nominal 159V, for an approximate 100 miles between charges. The original four-speed gearbox has been retained and, while not necessary with the electric motor, can be engaged if desired. The gearbox was adapted for the motor viâ an aluminium conversion housing, aluminium lightweight flywheel and Kennedy Stage Two clutch. Owing to the increased power and weight of the new power source, the brakes have been upgraded with independent servo systems front and rear, and the suspension has been uprated with coil-over shock absorbers. The car also benefits from four new tyres and in internal heater. The electric conversion has been accepted by the DVLA viâ the V627 process.
With its smooth bodywork, the Karmann Ghia was always a futuristic-looking car; with an electric motor as well, it seems almost like something from science-fiction. This car is expertly-finished and supplied with the original owner’s manual and books, the current V5C, a memory stick containing the comprehensive technical file that duplicates the hard copy supplied as well as photographs of the renovation and conversion, plus detailed driving and charging instructions.
