T for 34: ’68 VW Karmann Ghia T34
The Type 34, based on the Type 3 sedan, was the halo model of the entire VW line. It had the distinction of being the most expensive VW available, the fastest, and the most luxurious. The Type 34 had a host of standard amenities as a cigar lighter, electric clock, locking steering column, front & rear vent windows, variable wiper controls, and luxurious interior accommodations. It also had the distinction of being the only VW fitted with built-in fog lights and the option of an electrically operated steel sliding sunroof (today’s does not have one). Read More
We know that the Karmann Ghia was designed for VW to be a Halo car. A car that would enhance the brand and attract people to the showroom. They were built with VW Type 1 components but the body was built with lots of love by the folks at Karmann. The Ghia folks designed such beautiful lines on this little jewel that Karmann had to do a lot of hand work to get all the panels to fit just so. Now this find was purchased new in Germany by a US Serviceman. They must have given him a German language Owner’s Manual by mistake because after the initial service at 238 miles in Germany, he never serviced the car again. 
Concept cars are created to judge public response and the possible success if it is placed in production. Well, back in 1953 VW executives felt they needed a halo vehicle to add to the line-up so they commissioned a styling concept created by Ghia’s Luigi Segre. It was a success. 
They contracted Karmann to build the car in Osnabruck using old style, time-consuming techniques like butt-welding body panels, hand-shaped and smoothed with English pewter – in other words, more money. The rest of the car is Type 1. The marketing people at Doyle, Dane, Bernbach created a classic campaign for the new car aiming at the excesses of true sports cars – Maybe you don’t want to drive a wild-horse, a man-eating tiger or a killer fish…
