Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34, produced between 1961 and 1969, was a coachbuilt grand touring coupé based on the Volkswagen Type 3 platform. It emerged as a more refined and technically advanced alternative to the earlier Type 14 Karmann Ghia, with which it shared neither platform nor body panels. Conceived within the context of Volkswagen’s broader ambition to elevate its model hierarchy, the Type 34 was positioned as a flagship offering, both in price and presentation. The design was executed by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, and the bodywork was constructed by Karmann at its Osnabrück facility. Where the Type 14 had favored rounded forms and ornamental restraint, the Type 34 adopted a linear, almost architectural profile, marked by squared proportions and a beltline that wrapped around the entirety of the body. Glasshouse treatment was expansive, contributing to a sense of interior volume. The front and rear sections included luggage compartments, a feature enabled by the rear-mounted engine layout and the absence of a structural front subframe. The powertrain consisted of a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-four engine. Initially offered with a 1.5-litre displacement producing approximately 45 horsepower, later variants incorporated a 1.6-litre unit delivering up to 54 horsepower. Transmission was via a four-speed manual gearbox; suspension followed the torsion bar configuration standard across the Type 3 series. Although the mechanical performance was modest, the emphasis of the model remained on comfort, form, and exclusivity. Notably, the Type 34 was among the first production vehicles to offer an electrically operated steel sunroof. Despite its technical merits and distinctive styling, the Type 34 was never marketed in the United States, which severely limited its commercial viability. Of the 42,505 units constructed, the majority remained within Europe and select export markets. Surviving examples—such as chassis #0 345 121 (1965 model year)—are known to exist in private collections in Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Some have appeared in concours events and marque-specific gatherings but remain largely underrepresented in global classic car culture.

Photo courtesy of Hyman Ltd.