1956 Volkswagen Judson Supercharged Karmann Ghia

1956 Volkswagen Judson Supercharged Karmann Ghia Gorgeous VW Lowlight Coupe and debut model year for the Karmann Ghia in the U.S No expense spared 7 year professional correct restoration Produced in Osnabrueck, Germany 11/23/56 Left the factory for San Francisco 11/27/56 California Ghia that still retains 1956 yellow California license plates One of only 11,556 Karmann Ghias made in 1956 60HP 1.2L four-cylinder engine with period-correct Judson supercharger Four-speed manual transmission Correct Trout Blue exterior (code L330) and correct gray interior (code 53) with thin seatbacks, black trim and ivory ancillaries Hella headlights, VDO gauges and Marchal fog light Included with original VW Auto Museum Certificate, original Judson Supercharger literature, original Judson emblems and Judson parts list Extremely tidy and detailed undercarriage Karmann Ghia styling combined with Volkswagen simplicity and reliability make for a beautiful post-war 2+2 coupe. This US market 1956 VW Karmann Ghia is an exquisite example of this marriage. This example has a period-correct Judson Supercharger on the engine that provides a big boost in midrange torque and 20HP. The previous owner who is a serious Volkswagen enthusiast in California took seven years to put this car together professional to make it exactly the way he wanted it to be. Just take a look at the photos of the stunning undercarriage to see the extreme level of detail on this rare to see California 1956 Ghia. In 1956, brothers W. Haddon Judson and Charles Judson, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, produced a supercharger kit to make the Beetle a healthier performer. Known for producing superchargers for flathead Ford V-8s in the 1940s, their name was relatively well known and their reputation was solid. As foreign sports cars began invading the U.S., they saw a market for superchargers and went to work developing them for Beetles, MGs, Volvos and Renaults, to name but a mere few vehicles that benefit from Judson superchargers. It was a fun and popular modification that gave a little more power to cars that werent known for much torque. Today, finding a vehicle equipped with a period-correct Judson supercharger is quite the treat, and this early Karmann Ghia is one of those, let alone a extremely rare 1956 model. Presented in the desirable and correct for this car Trout Blue exterior and correct gray interior upholstery. Dressed in Trout Blue (code L330), this Lowlights paint and trim are in overall excellent order, with only the slightest of blemishes visible upon close inspection. The cars original Sekurit windows are clear and intact and its lights, particularly the Hella headlights. The engine bay is extremely tidy with a battery to match while the frunk is immaculate and has a full-size spare tire and wheel ahead of the fuel tank. The hood retains its Judson supercharger badging and impossible to find air scoop. The body is straight and solid while the wraparound chrome bumpers shine brilliantly. In front is a functional single Marchal fog light. This Ghia is shod with Firestone F-560 tires, size 155R15 at every corner. Each tire is mounted on correct a steel wheel topped with a full VW chrome moon wheel cover. The wheels look pristine while the tires or in very good condition. In back is a 1.2L horizontally opposed, air-cooled four-cylinder engine supplanted with that Judson supercharger that boosts the 40HP motor to 60HP! The motor is mated to a correct four-speed manual transmission. Inside, the car is finished in gray, with black and ivory trim with the original reproduction correct interior and headliner. The front buckets and rear demi-buckets look excellent while the gray carpet is in very good order. The neutral headliner is in similar condition while the correct hard to find two-spoke steering wheel, floor-mounted shifter and parking brake handle and other hand controls are done in ivory, which provides great contrast to the black and gray. The Trout Blue metal instrument panel is in excellent shape and keeps its VDO gauges while the inner door panels look very good. This is a radio-delete car. Internally designated the Type 14, the Karmann Ghia combined the chassis and mechanicals of the Type 1 (Beetle) with styling by Italy's Carrozzeria Ghia and hand-built bodywork by German coachbuilding house Karmann. Long noted for its exterior styling, the Karmann Ghia was designed with input from numerous individuals at Carrozzeria Ghia and was strongly influenced by Virgil Exner's work, though all of its designers passed without a definitive individual styling attribution. American industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague included the Type 14 Karmann Ghia in his list of the world's most beautifully designed products. Exterior changes in 1961 included wider and finned front grilles, taller and more rounded rear taillights and headlights relocated to a higher position with previous models and their lower headlight placement called lowlights. Included with the original VW Auto Museum Certificate, original Judson Supercharger literature, original Judson emblems and Judson parts list. VW fanatics, sports car fans or anyone who appreciates a post-war 2+2 with style, panache, reliability and a surprising power boost owes it to themselves to check out this rare to find Lowlight. It will not last long, so stop by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today! VIN: 1354238 This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 2,769 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt California title with 1956 California yellow plates that match the current title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!? Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.