Here's the text my father sent me with the picture:

"Hi Son,

Here's the shot! It was an incredible event, as you can see by the rear wheels just starting to tuck in.

For your website here's some background information.

This Karmann-Ghia was the very first sold in Chicago in 1956.

I first saw a picture of it in "Road & Track" in 1955. There was an article about the 1955 Frankfurt Auto Show where the Ghia was being introduced. I fell in love with it, compared to Dick Weiss's 1949 beetle, it was a sight to behold. I rushed to the ONLY VW dealer in Chicago, North Import Motors, at Southport & Addison and told Oliver Schmidt that I wanted to order this car. He had no idea what I was talking about, and said he never heard of it and would have to check with the factory if it was going to be exported to America. Several weeks later he called and gave me the good news but said it would take 6 to 8 months for delivery. I placed the order and waited. Sure enough 6 months later my car arrived..........it was
worth the wait!

When I got this beautiful car my fellow MG Car Club members couldn't believe it was a VOLKSWAGEN, nor could they believe I could beat the TD's at the drag strip or on the Wilmot road course. It was the first Ghia on the brand new Road America course, it wasn't in a race but I took Cliff Tufte, the founder, around the course. He asked me "what kind of car is this?" Imagine that!

The Hy-Fyr ignition was installed on this car but a year later. Everything was stock on this car and it was driven to and from every event entered. It was a great car. I put on 72,000 miles in 3 years. Lot's of gymkhanas, hill climbs, economy runs, road racing and frozen lake racing. Drove it to Mexico, Canada and California. The only problem, a broken fan belt and a flattened camshaft lobe. The 4,000 mile California trip cost only $40.00 for gas and I averaged 35mpg.

In 1959 I traded it in for the new Ghia convertible which just came out then and won 1st Place with it at Wilmot.

Looking back, those were great times........there weren't any modification kits or parts like now, but I once had a VW service manager offer to get me a Carrera engine for $1,500 and he was sure it would fit. I agreed but that deal never happened, too bad! What a blast that would have been!!!
The only modification I did was to remove the clock and install a VDO Porsche tachometer, just dropped right in perfectly.

Other automobiles since then? Opel Caravan, Citroen ID-19, Honda 600 Coupe and my second favorite all time cars, a DKW 3=6 Station Wagon and Coupe. Man those engines were incredible, only 7 moving parts. 3 pistons, 3 connecting rods and one crankshaft all on roller and wrist pin bearings. The smoothest torque producing engine ever.

The point is that you can have tons of fun without tons of horsepower."

Thanks Dad.