Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 0–60 Times
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 3 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Road & Track and more. A further 1 modified or prototype run is listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is the 1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1500 Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 21.70 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 21.70 seconds at 60.0 mph, according to Road & Track.
The slowest tested production Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is the 1962 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1200 Coupe, which took 30.00 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 22.70 seconds at 55.0 mph, according to Road & Track.
Across the 3 verified production tests of the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, the average 0–60 mph time is 26.83 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 22.67 seconds at 57.00 mph.
Separately, 1 modified or prototype run is on record for the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, led by the 1957 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Okrasa 1200 Coupe at 18.40 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 21.70sec 1963 1500 Coupe · stock
Average 0–60 26.83sec Across 3 production runs
Fastest Modified 18.40sec 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 22.67sec @ 57.0 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 30.00sec 1962 1200 Coupe
Across 3 verified production runs, the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia ranges from 21.70 to 30.00 seconds 0–60, with a 26.83-second average. 1 modified or prototype run is recorded separately and excluded from this range.
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is ranked in these lists
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Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Performance Overview
Volkswagen’s Karmann Ghia combined Beetle-based mechanicals with a lower, coupe-focused body during its 1956 to 1963 run, and across 4 verified tests that period shows a narrow but clear performance progression. Early cars used the air-cooled Type 1 flat-four in naturally aspirated form, with output in this dataset beginning at 34 hp. A 1956 1200 Coupe set the initial pace at 28.8 seconds to 60 mph, establishing the baseline for the model’s measured acceleration.
The quickest period result arrived one year later, when the 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe cut 0-60 mph to 18.4 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 20.0 seconds at 62 mph. That test also reflects the broadest engine evolution recorded here, with period-tuned output reaching 53 hp and induction extending beyond standard naturally aspirated form to include supercharged examples in the overall specification set. By the early 1960s, the mainstream 1200 Coupe remained modest in straight-line terms, with the 1962 1200 Coupe requiring 30 seconds to reach 60 mph. As covered by these tests, the Karmann Ghia stands today as a gasoline-only, Type 1-powered model whose measured performance ranged from basic economy-car pace to its best documented factory-era tune.
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Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
3 production tests + 1 modified · 4 years ▾
1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1 production run Avg 0–60 21.70 sec
Avg ¼ Mile 21.70 sec
Production Tests 1
#01
1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1500 Coupe
21.70sec 0–60
21.70s ¼ mi @ 60.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 21.70 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 21.70 sec
- Trap Speed
- 60.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.5L F-4
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 4M
- Horsepower
- 53 hp
- Torque
- 78 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 1,760 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 33.2 lbs/hp
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Road & Track
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 3 production runs
How we verify Volkswagen Karmann Ghia performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Volkswagen Karmann Ghia trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Volkswagen Karmann Ghia performance FAQs
10 questions The 1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1500 Coupe does 0-60 mph in 21.7 seconds. That current-year test also recorded a 21.7-second quarter-mile at 60 mph. It used a naturally aspirated 53-hp engine, sent power to the rear wheels, and weighed 1,760 pounds.
The quickest Karmann Ghia on record is the 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe, which reaches 60 mph in 18.4 seconds. It is also the fastest Karmann Ghia in the quarter-mile, running 20.0 seconds at 62 mph. That car is listed as lightly modified rather than stock.
The fastest stock Karmann Ghia on record is the 1963 1500 Coupe at 21.7 seconds from 0-60 mph. Across 4 total Karmann Ghia tests, that makes it the quickest production example. The quicker 18.4-second 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe is lightly modified, so it does not count as stock.
Across 4 verified Karmann Ghia tests, the average 0-60 mph time is 24.73 seconds. The average quarter-mile result is 22.0 seconds at 58.3 mph. Recorded 0-60 times range from a quickest 18.4 seconds to a slowest 30.0 seconds, showing a wide spread between trims and setups.
For the 1956-1963 Karmann Ghia range, the average 0-60 mph time is 24.73 seconds across 4 tests. The quickest run is 18.4 seconds from the 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe. Power outputs in this group range from 34 to 53 hp, with gasoline engines and naturally aspirated or supercharged setups represented.
Within the 1956-1963 Karmann Ghia range, the fastest car on record is the 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe at 18.4 seconds to 60 mph. That same car is also the quickest over the quarter-mile at 20.0 seconds and 62 mph. It is listed as lightly modified, not stock production.
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1500 Coupe is recorded at 21.7 seconds from 0-60 mph. The tested example is a 1963 car with 53 hp, 78 lb-ft of torque, rear-wheel drive, and a curb weight of 1,760 pounds. Its quarter-mile time matches the 0-60 result at 21.7 seconds, trapping 60 mph.
The Karmann Ghia 1200 Coupe averages 29.4 seconds from 0-60 mph across 2 recorded tests, with a best time of 28.8 seconds. It is notably slower than the 1500 Coupe's 21.7-second run. The slowest Karmann Ghia test on record is also a 1200 Coupe, at 30.0 seconds in 1962.
The 1500 Coupe is clearly quicker. The 1963 Karmann Ghia 1500 Coupe reaches 60 mph in 21.7 seconds, while the 1200 Coupe averages 29.4 seconds across 2 tests and has a best of 28.8 seconds. That gives the 1500 Coupe at least a 7.1-second advantage to 60 mph.
Across 4 Karmann Ghia tests, the average quarter-mile time is 22.0 seconds at 58.3 mph. The fastest quarter-mile on record is the 1957 Okrasa 1200 Coupe at 20.0 seconds and 62 mph. For a stock production car, the 1963 1500 Coupe runs 21.7 seconds at 60 mph.
Sources
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Volkswagen 0–60 times
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