Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, Germany is the largest independent motor
vehicle company in Germany. Over the course of more than a century, they have
undertaken various roles, from design to production and assembly of components,
for various automobile manufacturers including Chrysler, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
Some of the most well-known cars produced by Karmann in the 20th century are the
VW Beetle cabriolet (1949-1980), and, most closely associated with the
Karmann name, the Karmann Ghia. Between 1955 and 1974, 443,482 Karmann
Ghias were manufactured, placing their own sports car-style body on the chassis
of the Volkswagen Beetle.
Later in the 20th century, they assembled the Scirocco,
Corrado, and Cabriolet for Volkswagen. As the original company was Karmann
Coachworks, a coach builder, Volkswagen models built by Karmann display a small
wagon wheel emblem. Karmann also built the Ford Sierra for the American market,
sold under the Merkur brand by Lincoln/Mercury dealers...