The Karmann Ghia was marketed by Volkswagen as a 2+2 coupe and convertible that combined the prosaic mechanicals of the Beetle, evocative styling by the Italian carrozzeria Ghia and hand-built bodywork by German coach-builder Karmann.

The combination proved instantly successful for VW; production doubled soon after the Karmann Ghia's introduction, and the car became the most popular imported to the US. American industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague selected the Karmann-Ghia for his list of the world's most beautifully designed products.

Offered in coupe and convertible body styles, over 445,000[3] Karmann Ghias were produced in Germany from 1955 to 1974 (excluding the Type 34 variant, see below); Karmann Brazil produced further 41,600 cars locally for South America between 1962 and 1975.

Source: Wikipedia