That’s the question that’s likely to be on everyone’s lips as they drool over the mega custom Karmann Ghia in these photos. It’s currently up for sale on Oldbug.com for a whopping $295,000 – a whole lot of dough for sure, but when you see what’s been done you’ll soon be thinking that’s a price worth paying…

The Rodbuster, as it’s known, first hit the scene back in the ‘90s and after a recent complete body off rebuild it’s back again, ready to hit the strip and basically blow everyone’s mind with its unbelievable attention to detail, futuristic interior, billet aluminium chassis and twin supercharged air-cooled engine…

It was built originally to challenge the mega street rods and demonstrate how a lowly veedub could outgun pretty much anything out there – as well as looking totally cool and radical in the process.

It has to be said, looking at the pictures, the standard of fabrication is nothing short of incredible. The mirror-like ‘50s hot-rod inspired paintwork alone is staggering with its various custom graphics and meticulous air brush work that not only adorns the exterior but extends into the door shuts and inner wings as well. Suicide doors, flush headlamps, one-off billet alloys and a near perfect stance complete the mind boggling effect.

But what you see on the surface only tells half the story – because it’s what’s going on underneath that will really astound.

The interior is, well, from another world with all sorts of curved fin action going on – plus there’s a floor shift, swivel front seats and even a aircraft like steering wheel…

Underneath, things get even more staggering with a solid machined alloy chassis and an engine that has not one but two superchargers, with the majority of components being specially manufactured as bespoke items for the build.

But it doesn’t end there. Inboard brakes feature at the rear and the car sits on an entirely custom made suspension – all of which is beautifully made and painstakingly thought out.

There’s even a billet aluminium case for the first aid kit!

In short, it’s a total work of art – a unique engineering masterpiece. A complete one off, in fact, with detailing that would put a Swiss watchmaker to shame…

The rotating display stand itself is being thrown in with the sale – and, given its complexity, that in itself is worthy of its own place in The Science Museum!

Okay, the $295,000 may sound steep or “up there” as OldBug.com describes it – but actually, when you see the work that’s gone into the build – that’s cheap!

Ian

The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage