I have pretty much come to grips with the fact that I will not soon own a car older than 1982. Don’t ask me why; it’s just a matter of personal preference. There’s only so much variety I can handle in the course of a day, so my vehicle fleet is now all 1986 and newer. However, there are a few exceptions, and one of them is the Type 34 Karmann Ghia from Volkswagen. These are incredibly rare cars to find in any condition, and this 1964 Karmann Ghia here on eBay represents a distinct opportunity to buy a sought-after air-cooled model.
While air-cooled VW enthusiasts tend to think all of the vehicles offered in VW’s budding years are sought-after, the Type 34 sits in a unique space in the hierarchy. This model was never formerly offered in the United States, and it was indeed a gussied-up offering that was no more sporting than the Beetle underpinnings it rode on. But like anything built in smaller batches with higher-level appointments inside, the Type 34 has become a bit of a stand-out in the familiar family of 60s-era VWs.
Road test editors at the time didn’t think much of the razor-edged styling, and certainly not enough of the Ghia design to forget the lazy handling and underwhelming acceleration. But these days, the appreciation is different: here was a company that was entirely focused on offering a budget-minded consumer a range of fuel-efficient vehicles with little interest (at the time) in being particularly sporting or luxurious. The Type 34 Karmann Ghia, however, attempted to make buyers forget just how frivolous its customer base was, with features like a heated rear window, improved suspension, and front disc brakes.
This example even has a sunroof, which has to put it among the very few of an already small allotment of cars with such a feature. Air-cooled enthusiasts estimate that very few of these early Karmann Ghias survive, and U.S. residents can only hope to snag one of the few that entered the country by way of Canada. The seller notes he drove his Type 34 into the garage eight years ago and hasn’t started it since. He notes the engine sports dual carbs and that the floors will need replacing but that he’s including both right and left-side pans. This is a rare opportunity to buy one of the more desirable air-cooled models made, and I wish I was in a position to take it on.
Way back in the 90’s I went with a friend to look at one in a barn. That was the first I knew of the type 34 Karmann. Unfortunately rust had gotten the better of that one. This one looks to be in better condition and hopefully it makes financial sense to restore this car now. I think they are cool but I would have a hard time not wanting to add more power.
Adding power isn’t hard to do.
I heard the reason why it wasn’t brought stateside was because it would of came close to being double the cost of a beetle. I did see a restored one about 12 years ago at the auto show JC Whitney hosts at their headquarters in Illinois, it was stunning.
It was actually only intended as a German market car. There was not intention to export it at all. I’ve had 3 RHD variants on the T34. Only have the one now. Around 1800 RHD were ever built. They are the rarest of the rare.
42,000 made? I wouldn’t call that rare. I would call a truck I have (1 of 24 made), or a 1948 car I have (1 of 97) rare.
These are cool cars though, there’s one in the woods near my house.
Rare in America at least, as they were never officially imported here.
Minor correction/clarification:
The Type 34 Karmann-Ghia was based on the VW Type 3 (Notchback, Fastback, and Variant/Squareback) chassis and “pancake” powertrain, rather than being directly based on the Type 1 Beetle as the Type 14 K-Gs were.
Where did you learn 42,000 Type 34 Ghias were made?
Wikipedia states 42,505 made, citing Deutsche Autos 1945–1990, Band 3 (2003) by Werner Oswald as the source for that figure.
Where is it and how much is it
Only have seen a couple of these actually running and driving. There were many years between, the headlights have a rally look, always thought it was a good looking VW.
Believe it or not, there were a few running around Beer City. Any VW caught our eyes( as an intruder) and these seemed like a Karmann-Ghia on steroids( as if) These always looked angry to me, when they should have portrayed a happy image. Think AH Sprite. There was still a big anti-German sentiment then, especially people like my old man. The type 34 was introduced in 1962, and clearly has hints of Corvair, but at nearly twice the cost of a Bug, few takers. I’ve always liked the type 14, and this is even sweeter. Here’s a pic of the beautiful interior. Looks like a Porsche, no? Like the Alvis, almost too far gone. A shame, what a neat car, it was,,,
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/151433606194883149/
Funny you mention Beer City, as the only Type 34 I’ve ever seen in-person was in Milwaukee, while I was attending UWM there in the early ’90s.
I spotted it one night just casually parked on the street like any other car, in front of an apartment block on Maryland Ave. I walked that street many times between campus and the Farwell/North Ave. business district but never saw it again, so maybe it was a visitor’s car rather than a resident of that neighborhood.
A couple-few blocks south of there is also where I spotted the only Lancia Beta HPE I’ve ever seen in-person, also just casually parked on the street in front of a residence.
This is the model I drove when I was 15.
If ya’ll remember I related a story about my parents friend married a German woman and I spent the summer with them up in the Poconos. She had this Type 34 in white and let me drive it one night.
I love the Karmann Ghia’s, but there was something about the Type 34 I really liked. Maybe it was the extra lights up front…. or the fact that I got to drive one.
That’s cool haven’t seen one in years, but if I’m going to buy a old Volkswagen its going to be the bus or beetle 68-72
Thanks for the article Jeff. My oldest driver is a 1977. Electronic ignition please. Ha, Ha!
As someone who sells stuff on ebay, when you upload your photos you see how the photos will look before the listing goes live. There’s a very prominent edit button that lets you rotate the photos.
Ok. I’m done. Thanks for listening.
I learned how to operate a clutch on one of these around 1970. It was easy to drive and handled great. It actually saved my life as someone coming around a curve lost control and headed straight for me. I was able to maneuver out of the way but unfortunately, it hit the car a little behind me on the right and nailed the driver’s door almost perpendicular. The type 34 was pretty light and I would have been hurt bad or killed. I don’t remember what the offending car or the one that actually got hit were exactly, but they were not small imports. True story and one you just never forget.
Love these cars but the photos are terrible for a car for sale. Open the hood, pump up the tires and drag it out in the sunlight if you want my bid….
Formally, not “formerly”…
Sorry Jeff, just a pet peeve of mine.
And true, Type 34 is cooler than cool!
RandyKs, you are very fortunate to have a good understanding of the English language, but I learned many years ago that there are more people than you can imagine, that through no fault of their own, and circumstances beyond their control, do not have the privilege to know how to read or write. You have no understanding of the embarrassment and humiliation these people encounter every day of their lives. Similarly these same people and others, cannot do simple mathematics that most of us take for granted. Before you ever make comments like you made, consider, there but for the grace of God, go you and I. Thanks for reading.
He was not unkind with the correction. How else could one learn? Is it better to ignore and let the mistakes be repeated or kindly correct?
Not a rebuke or insult, just a correction to a professional writer. I’ve been corrected in the past as a horticulturist, was never offended. I was actually impressed my client took enough interest to do some research. 🙂
I love this style Karman I think they look sharp. This one looks very sold and worthy of the needed work. If only…
Yup, they look like a pissed-off Corvair. But restoring one is a bit more difficult, so good luck to whomever takes this one on.
I have one, also sunroof equipped (roughly 10% were). They were the largest, fastest and most expensive VW offering in their day, which is probably why only 42,505 were built over a 9-year period. By Volkswagen production volumes that’s really small numbers. As noted, mechanicals are Type 3… but every piece of trim and most rubber seals are unique to the model. Some of it is truly unobtainium. The 1500S twin-carb was introduced in 1964, and from the VIN this car was built sometime in February or March of that year. It’s easy to make more power, I went with a Berg 1776 kit and very pleased with it’s performance.
There is a world-wide registry run by Lee Hedges that currently lists 1729 extant. For those interested in more info: https://www.t34world.org/registry
If you really wanna go down a rabbit hole, there’s a thread on the Samba.
Pics of mine here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=518323&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1000
The back reminds me of those old Chevys Ralph Nader didn’t like.
My mother had one about the same color, but never did hear her call it unsafe at any speed…
well sure would be nice to see an engine in the rear and a shot of the front bay open….would love to bid but gotta see more thankyou
Type 34 somehow keeps reminding me of BMW 2000 CS of the late 60’s. Sporty, upscale, and slightly sinister!
Uh,nope. I would love to have a Karrman Ghia type 1, but this one doesn’t do anything for me. Front end looks like a early 60’s Chrysler. Owned several Bugs, but never could get ahold of a type 1 Karrman Ghia.
SOLD for $17,687.99. Yes, that amount is correct.