T34 emblems
| With so few Type 3 Ghias made it is no wonder that parts for them are hard to find. In general, Volkswagen tried to make products that were cheap to build and that meant that they didn't like to modify their machinery every year to make parts that were only good for that year. This phil- osophy also meant that a number of parts were interchangable between different models. Karmann, however, didn't always feel compelled to use available parts in the cars they built. They often used parts that they designed to complement the distinctive look of the Karmann Ghias. They took this to the extreme with Type 3 Ghias. It is estimated that over 90% of the body and interior parts are not used on any other Volkswagen. Here are some of the rare parts and documentation that I have run across. |
Early T34 EmblemsAwhile back I got a call about this rare item and the price was attractive enough that I couldn�t turn it down. The first Type III Ghias had different emblems than those that were used later on and I was being offered an NOS hood badge for the earliest T34s. The 'Karmann' script underneath was owned by the guy that I sold the hood badge to. The �Karmann� script goes on the bottom of the quarter panel in back of the door. Now that I have an early '62 T34 I wish I had this piece back. |
T34 emblems
Clear/amber front turn signal lenseFor the first year of production the T34 came with either an all clear or all amber front turn signal lense depending on the destination of the car. In '63 the clear lense was discontinued and all cars except those destined for Italy got amber lenses. The clear lenses are now quite a popular item with the T34 crowd. Here's one you will rarely ever see though -- the Italian clear/amber lense. |
Clear/amber lense
Rare foglight with non-diffused lenseHere's one I've never seen on a car and don't know what country would have required/allowed it. Notice the center of the lense would seem to concentrate the light rather than diffuse it as is done around the edges. |
Rare foglight
Front overridersI got these from a former registry member. There were no matching overriders on the rear of the car they came from but I think rear ones may have been available. I've seen a '68 T34 with a flat spot intentionally molded on top of the rear bumper corners (directly under the taillight) that I presume must be for the placement of optional overriders. |
Front overriders
Type 3 Ghia MudflapsThe first mudflap is a generic Type III style that seems to be fairly easy to find in either black or white. It is designed to fit any Type III and works well on the TIII Ghia. My main complaint with this style is that the VW emblem has pegs that go through the mudflap and are secured with a metal washer in the back that is a little unsightly. The second and third mudflaps are ones that I have personally taken off of T34s and are made specifically for the T34. The metal Z shaped frame at the top mounts at both ends to the body. The left edge mounts to the inside of the wheelwell and the right edge mounts to the inner lip of the wheelwell opening. The upper flap that goes against the wheelwell edge also has screw holes to keep it in place. If you find an NOS set of these, especially the white ones, you have got a real treasure. |
Mud flaps
Early Type 3 accessoriesEarly Type IIIs had some nifty options that could be ordered through the dealer. Check out the cool wheel trim rims, round tool kit, and lamp spares kit. These 3 pictures are from an early Type III parts manual (in French). The first picture shows the optional parts and the next 2 pages show the part numbers and descriptions. |
Accessories 
Accessories list1 
Accessories list2
Some Type 3 aftermarket accessoriesThese pictures came from a book called Volkswagen 1600 Guide produced in 1966. I'd sure love to get my hands on some of these rare Type III goodies. |
An Abarth Type III muffler 
A horizontal VDO tach
Coming soon --An authentic T34 tach, Type III Ghia cabriolet brochure, NOS sunroof drive gear, cabriolet and sunroof parts pages