The earliest of the Karmann Ghia rear lights, these were probably the most intricate in design, with a festoon style bulb and a separate chrome surround.
As is the case with many lowlight Karmann Ghia parts, these units are tricky to find in good condition, and the correct foam seals are not currently available — however, we are working on these in-house.
These are the lights most typically found on a lowlight Karmann Ghia. The lamp holders hold 2x lamps with the brake light and the indicator sharing the same single filament lamp.
The lamp holders tend to be somewhat fragile, however, as they were originally made of a thin maisac style alloy and are prone to cracks and snapping.
Here at Californian Classics, we have just reproduced a sand-cast version of these lamp holders, in the correct shape and original style. We are also planning to manufacture an LED version.
The lens would have originally been a single-part unit comprising of a metal chrome-plated surround and a plastic red (or red/amber for Euro style) lens.
We also supply the correct seal for this unit.
From August 1959 onwards saw the new “facelift” Ghia that had moved away from the curves of the lowlight.
The lamp holder between 60 and 69 went through subtle changes, and a good reproduction covering all years is available.
The lamp holder is fitted to the body with the use of a butterfly nut. The lens and rubber seal both fit into the lamp holder.
Like the previous design, the lens is available in all-red (USA) and European (amber and red).
As the regulations changed and the reverse (back up) light became a lawful requirement, a larger rear light unit was installed to the Karmann Ghia. The lamp holder has the integrated reverse light, and is larger in design in comparison to the 60-69 model – however, many think are less appealing to the eye.
There is no current available reproduction of this bulb carrier, but we do stock both US and European lenses, as well as the lens to lamp holder seal, and the lamp holder to body seal.
This year range, again, encompasses further changes to regulations — the lights were made more visible other road users, and this change utilised the rear lights of the late model Type 3.
Again, this lamp holder is not currently reproduced, however we do stock both US and Euro lenses and seals needed when overhauling these units.
