Small Car, Huge Win: 1955 VW Karmann Ghia “Karma” Wins the 2026 Al Slonaker Memorial Award

In a field packed with heavy hitters, this wasn’t a surprise—it was a statement. Precision, vision, and obsessive craftsmanship carried the day, and when the final call was made Sunday night, the Slonaker belonged to a Volkswagen that refused to be overlooked.

For Buddy Hale, the win carried extra weight. Nearly four years earlier, Type One Restorations came heartbreakingly close to Slonaker honors with a Beetle. That near-miss stayed with the team. When they returned with this Ghia—refined by experience, patience, and an uncompromising standard—everything aligned.

This time, redemption arrived in olive green.

A Karmann Ghia, Reimagined with Purpose

From day one, the vision was crystal clear: elevate the Karmann Ghia while preserving the instantly recognizable profile that made the lowlight cars iconic. Hale describes the approach simply—“It still has to look like a ’55 Ghia.” Everything that followed was about refinement, not reinvention.

The headlights and front turn signals were lowered roughly an inch to improve proportion. Front fenders were reshaped, character lines sharpened and extended through the doors and quarter panels, and nearly every exterior panel was reworked—or completely replaced. The doors were reskinned, the rear fenders subtly widened and mini-tubbed about an inch per side to house serious rear rubber without compromising stance or usability.

Even the bumpers, guards, horn grilles, and trunk latch mechanism were fabricated from scratch, integrating seamlessly into the body. Custom tail light pockets were machined in-house, reinforcing the theme that nothing here was off-the-shelf or accidental.

At this level, the details are the build. Nearly 90 percent of the fasteners were custom-machined in-house—eight weeks of machine time dedicated solely to hardware. Even the bespoke brake rotors began life as 80–90 pound blocks of cast iron, shot-peened for strength and machined to perfection. Excellence, here, lives everywhere.

Custom Paint That Elevates Every Curve

The finish is pure confidence. A custom two-tone green—olive at its foundation with a darker green roof—was mixed using Glasurit, incorporating a subtle gold pearl that only reveals itself under the right light. The paint alone took roughly eight months to perfect, including the sourcing of a discontinued toner to achieve exactly the right tone.

It’s restrained. Elegant. And perfectly suited to the car’s reshaped lines.

This isn’t a color meant to shout.
It’s a color meant to linger.

Air-Cooled Power, Taken to the Limit

Just as important as the visuals was preserving the soul of the car—and thankfully, that soul remains proudly air-cooled.

Power comes from a deeply developed 2.3–2.4 liter air-cooled flat-four, built by Doug Gonzalez, producing approximately 254 horsepower naturally aspirated, with a 50-shot of nitrous pushing output beyond 300 horsepower—an eye-opening number in the air-cooled VW world.

Prototype heads, a custom crank, and one-off internal components support the effort, while a centered fan and scratch-built shroud replace the factory offset layout. Dual 51mm carburetors, cleanly routed oil and breather systems, and 3D-machined aluminum components keep everything purposeful and visually cohesive.

Backed by a reinforced transmission and limited-slip differential, the drivetrain reflects the same philosophy as the rest of the build: push boundaries without abandoning authenticity. This wasn’t about easy swaps—it was about perfecting what belongs there.

And yes—it runs. It drives. It was test-driven for miles, not assembled in a parking lot.

Interior Craftsmanship with Personal Involvement

Inside, Tracy Waver of The Recovery Room was given full creative freedom—and delivered an interior that mirrors the exterior’s balance of restraint and intent. Every stitch, surface, and material choice feels deliberate.

Custom aluminum door panels with stainless surrounds, machined window cranks, steering components, shifter, and column hardware were all produced in-house. Removable panels allow real service access, while hidden gauges live discreetly in the glove box.

Adding another layer of meaning, owner Dennis Troggio took an active, hands-on role during final assembly as the deadline approached. His involvement is felt throughout the car. This wasn’t just a commissioned build—it was a shared obsession brought to life.

Why This Ghia Earned the Slonaker

The Slonaker field was stacked: an F100, multiple street rods, a Studebaker, a Chevelle, a Road Runner, and a pair of tri-fives—each flawless in its own right.

But when the judging came down to craftsmanship, cohesion, and execution, one build stood apart.

This 1955 Karmann Ghia wasn’t just customized—it was fully realized. Nearly 80–90 percent of the chassis was reworked or fabricated. The front end was extended to better center the wheels. The bulkhead leaned back four degrees for improved caster and drivability. Even the undercarriage received the same visual attention as the exterior.

Nothing felt excessive.
Nothing felt overlooked.

A Victory Built on Vision and Craft

Congratulations to Dennis Troggio, Buddy Hale, and the entire Type One Restorations team on capturing the 2026 Al Slonaker Memorial Award.

In a room filled with icons, this Volkswagen didn’t just belong—it set the standard.

The smallest car on the floor delivered the biggest statement of the weekend.