1963 VW Type 34 Karmann Ghia, AKA: The Seagull
1963 VW Type 34 Karmann Ghia, AKA: The Seagull
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1963 VW Type 34 Karmann Ghia, Chassis # 0180435
Italian "Razor's Edge" Design by Sergio Sartorelli
Original 1500cc Air-cooled Type 3 "Pancake" Engine
Bone Stock except for "123-Ignition"
Sea Blue Paint
Supreme Grand Touring Car
Owned Since 2005
Restoration Completed, June 2025 after 10 years
The VW Karmann Ghia Type 34, also known as the "Razor's Edge Ghia," was a more luxurious and larger version of the original Karmann Ghia and was based on the newer VW Type 3 platform. It featured distinctive styling, more interior space, and was the fastest production VW model of its time. Total production was only about 42,500 units.
Key Features and History of the Type 34 Karmann Ghia
Based on the Type 3
Unlike the original Type 14 USA Karmann Ghia, which was based on the Type 1 (Bug), the Type 34 was built on the newer Type 3 platform.
Italian Design
The esteemed Italian engineer Sergio Sartorelli from Ghia designed the Type 34's unique "razor's edge" styling.
More Luxurious
The Type 34 offered more interior and storage space, a more comfortable ride, and was more expensive than the original Karmann Ghia, costing nearly twice as much a Beetle.
Rare and Sought-After:
The Type 34 is rarer than the original Karmann Ghia, with probably fewer than 2000 surviving today, worldwide. Somewhat less than half are now in the USA. Exceptionally few are in original bone stock condition because original correct parts are so hard to find.
Not Sold in the US
Despite being a popular model, the Type 34 was never officially sold in the United States, most found their way to USA by way of servicemen coming home from Europe and a few others came down from Canada (this car).
Production Run
The Type 34 was produced from 1961 to 1969 on the Wilhelm Karmann factory assembly line right along side the line for the Porsche 356.
Credits and Links
For the most amazing body restoration and paint work, you can't do better than Jimmy Braxmeyer: www.vintagevwrestoration.com
Jimmy did the most amazing job of taking this car from a rather beat up and tired old bird into our most spectacular "Seagull". At every turn, this car kept throwing problems at Jimmy, but he just kept on persevering through some very challenging situations. He provided excellent communication and an attention to detail that few others can match. Thank you so much Jimmy, you're the greatest!
Every car has "the guy" and there's none better than Lee Hedges: https://www.facebook.com/LeeHedges34/
Lee is the man who knows these cars better than anyone. If you have aspirations to restore a Type 34, then you NEED to know Lee. He's truly a gold mine of information and provided many unobtainium parts. Lee encouraged me to keep/return my car to stock, as new condition rather than succumbing to the urge to do a restomod. Although following that path of originality is much much more difficult, I'm very grateful that I followed Lee's advice and kept my car "bone stock". A car this rare deserves to live on as it was originally designed. Lee also just finished the restoration on his Sea Blue Type 34. It's a must see car. Check out his Facebook page.
The Artist, Pedro Sainz: https://www.facebook.com/pedro.sainz.37535/
Pedro is a true artist and also has a wealth of knowledge about the Type 34. His passion towards his work is unmatched and that is most evident when you look at the interior of this car. His uncompromising upholstery work is perfect and the materials are spot on reproductions of the originals. Pedro helped me locate some really hard to find parts and provided me with many links to others that I never would have found myself. Pedro has recently finished a tool room recreation of the prototype Type 34 Cabriolet. It is exceptionally spectacular and is the only one like it except for the original which is stuck in the VW museum.
ISP West: https://vwispwest.com/
ISP West has the best supply of Type 34 weather stripping and many other Type 34 specific parts. They have fast shipping and have been great to work with.
If you have a Type 34 or want to find one, then check out our group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/180923175271409
Archives of Lee's "Type 34 World" website are here: https://leehedges.wixsite.com/t34world2015 and there you'll find some excellent resources there to help you with your restoration.
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