Teakwood Karmann Ghia Cabriolet: Jepara’s Masterpiece on Wheels

Wooden Icon - It’s often said that the love for creativity and engineering knows no bounds, and this rings especially true when it comes to the story of Al Sadad, a talented craftsman from Jepara, Indonesia. Driven by both his passion for woodworking and his admiration for Volkswagen cars, Sadad embarked on a unique project to bring an iconic Volkswagen Karmann Ghia to life – using only teak wood for the car’s entire body. 

Other wooden automotive creations by Jepara craftsmen include a full-scale, driveable teak replica of the 1964 Karmann Ghia. (Picture from: OtoTrend)

This ambitious endeavor not only tested his skills in woodcraft but also sought to demonstrate the strength and durability of teak, a wood renowned for its resilience. Sadad’s journey combines the spirit of innovation with the art of traditional craftsmanship, showing the world that even unconventional materials can create something both beautiful and functional. Teak wood has long been celebrated for its durability, weather resistance, and striking grain patterns. However, its use as a material for a car body was virtually unheard of.

A teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica made by Jepara craftsmen carries a 1,600 cc Mexican VW Safari engine. (Picture from: OtoDetik)

Sadad, undeterred by this unusual choice, chose teak precisely because it would be challenging to work with. Known for its density and hardness, teak offers a unique advantage in terms of longevity and aesthetics, but crafting an entire car body from it required an immense amount of patience, precision, and skill. Sadad, who had previously experimented with wooden cars, first tried his hand at creating a wooden-bodied Volkswagen Safari in 2015. Building on this experience, he decided to undertake a more complex project by constructing a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia with a full teak wood body, aiming to make this piece not only an art form but a fully operational vehicle.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of the teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica. (Picture from: OtoTrend)

The Karmann Ghia project came with its own set of challenges, particularly because of the car’s distinct curves and aerodynamic body shape. Unlike other models, the Karmann Ghia features numerous curvatures that require high levels of precision, making it difficult to replicate in wood. Sadad understood that this project would demand a higher level of expertise, from carving complex curves to fitting every piece seamlessly. To overcome these obstacles, he enlisted the help of skilled artisans who specialized in traditional Jepara wood carving, ensuring that the project would stay true to the local craftsmanship traditions while meeting the demands of automotive design.

The Jepara's typical wooden-carved motifs with the VW logo on the front seats of the teak wood-bodied 1964 Karmann Ghia replica. (Picture from: OtoTrend)

Sadad sourced his teak wood from discarded materials found around his home and workshop, which speaks to his resourceful approach to the project. While he had easy access to raw materials, the intricate work required specialized equipment and expertise. Moreover, some of the car’s critical components, such as the rear lights, needed to be imported to match the original specifications of the Karmann Ghia. These imported parts added both time and expense to the project, yet Sadad remained committed, determined to make every detail authentic and functional.

Al Sadad (wearing an orange shirt) poses with a wooden-bodied 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia replica of his-owned. (Picture from: MuriaNews)

One of the biggest challenges Sadad faced was creating frames for the car’s windshield, a task that demanded absolute accuracy. Any slight error could mean that the windshield wouldn’t fit properly, jeopardizing the car’s usability and safety. Similarly, crafting the car’s front hood, with its particular arch and shape, required significant skill and attention to detail. Every piece of teak had to be meticulously carved and shaped, a process that was both labor-intensive and time-consuming. Sadad mentioned that the most substantial cost was the craftsmanship itself, as the car’s intricate parts required the expertise of top-level artisans who could ensure each section was perfect.

Al Sadad-owned wooden-bodied Volkswagen Karmann Ghia replica while on display at the Jogja Volkswagen Festival (JVWF) contest event. (Picture from: TribunNewsJogja)

After dedicating four months of tireless effort, Sadad completed the wooden-bodied Karmann Ghia, equipped with a Mexican VW Safari engine under its teak wood hood. The car featured a 1,600 cc engine, giving it the power to drive just like any other car despite its unconventional body material. The finished car is a sight to behold, with its light brown teak color and distinctive wood grain visible across its curves. Traditional Jepara carving motifs were incorporated into various parts of the car, blending cultural artistry with automotive design in a way that highlights the beauty of Indonesian woodcraft.
In 2017, the teak wood Karmann Ghia was showcased at the Jogja Volkswagen Festival (JVWF), capturing the admiration of car enthusiasts and art lovers alike. The car, complete with the registration plate “K 4 YU,” symbolized not just Sadad’s dedication but also the potential of teak wood as a viable material for vehicle construction. This masterpiece of craftsmanship stood as a functional, drivable car rather than a static display, surprising audiences with both its beauty and functionality.

Sadad’s story serves as an inspiration, illustrating how passion and creativity can lead to incredible achievements. His journey in creating a wooden Volkswagen Karmann Ghia exemplifies the spirit of innovation and determination, proving that, with enough skill and imagination, even the most unorthodox materials can be transformed into something truly extraordinary. Sadad’s teak wood car is more than just a vehicle; it’s a moving work of art that bridges traditional craftsmanship with the forward-thinking world of automotive design. *** [EKA [07022020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MURIA NEWS | OTO DETIK | TRIBUNNEWS JOGJA]

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