Yes, The body remained virtually
unchanged except for updates much like the
Beetle. (Larger signal lights, bigger motor). In fact over the 20 years the Ghia
was produced, it changed less than Beetles of the same vintage.
2. What were the major changes through the years?
Visually the most obvious changes are as follows:
1958 lost the bug "Ribbed spoked" steering wheel and got its
own unique steering wheel assembly with an odd shaped horn button
that traveled half way up the off set (from the center hub) spokes. In the
USA (but not the rest of the world) bows (tubes) were added to
the bumpers.
1960 saw the most major change of all product. The headlights
were raised, air intakes in the nose were enlarged and tail lights were
enlarged from two bulb square shaped to three bulb pointed ovals. Quarter
windows went from fixed to pop-out. Steering wheel assembly is again
shared with the bug.
1967 introduced four lug wheels with flat hub caps, front disc
brakes, twin bumper mounted reverse lights, woodgrain dash with
small clock and fuel gauge both orbiting the speedo (previously clock and speedo were the same size with a small fuel gauge in-between.
1968 added a fuel filler flap on the right side fender. Front
seats got taller and narrowed to form built in headrests.
1970 enlarged front turn signals from "Bullet" style to wrap around, tail
lights went from a little over 6" tall to about 9" and were flat instead of
domed with a intregated reverse light.
1972 was the final "modernization" of the Ghia. 13" tall tail lights,
beetle style heavy (squarish) single piece bumpers, dash face
and door tops now covered in black plastic. Two big deep gauges with
fuel gauge moved into the bottom of the enlarged clock.