Putting A Snarl Into A 1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia T34

Russell Hibbard has always had a thing for elderly German vehicles. His collection has featured a pair of BMW 700s, several BMW E9s including a 3.0 CSL, Mercedes W111’s, a 280SL, currently five Porsches – from long hood 911s to a rowdy 356 outlaw, a 21-window Samba plus a certain Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34. Known for its distinctive face, it has been described as looking like a pissed-off Chevrolet Corvair.

Hibbard is a Lake Worth Beach, Florida fixture. He has a reputation for storytelling, is known for his collection of cocktail shakers and having once owned a very special nightclub (The Bamboo Room). He is also known for a collection of clean, but uncommon vehicles that you won’t see at a typical Cars and Coffee next Saturday morning. Air-cooled VWs are among his favorites. Long a fan of the T34, a sunroof-equipped example was referred to him by friends. They told him the seller was having a “yard sale” and suggested he check it out. But the sale had been a week prior, so Hibbard missed out on the car. Still, he tracked down the owner offering $10,000 more to flip it. But it was gone. 

Hibbard maintains an ongoing search on the popular Samba website for unusual Volkswagens like Brazilian SP2s, first-generation Sciroccos and the distinctive T34 Karmann Ghia. “Low and behold, just two days after missing out on that T34, this one popped up for sale,” he said. It was imported from Germany in 1966 by a returning Air Force pilot and titled in California. It bounced around for a while in the Southwest, which helped it remain rust-free. Originally red with a black top, the second owner performed a bare-shell restoration and changed the color to a striking Beryl Green.

The third owner had it just two years. His Samba ad price was firm but for Hibbard, a reasonable number. He called the Lemon Squad to perform a pre-purchase inspection for anything that could foul the sale. Receiving a positive report, the T34 was soon on its way to Hibbard’s garage. Penned by designer Sergio Sartorelli and based on the Type 3 chassis, it’s larger than the Beetle-based Karmann Ghia models of the day. It also has a tall, airy greenhouse that provides excellent headroom and visibility. And then there’s that face.

T34 In Hand, But Not Out Of The Woods

Once Hibbard took possession of the T34, he discovered the inspector might not have been a Volkswagen specialist. That was because the engine was basically junk. It had three pistons from one set with a mismatched fourth. The cam was worn, and the crankshaft journals were shot. The case was also done, so a new powerplant was in order. The solution was to install a Gene Berg Enterprises 1776 cc engine kit. The company offers complete kits starting with a Brazilian VW engine case, forged crank and other parts. The fan is balanced. Completed with new Mahle piston and cylinder sets, rods and pushrods, the stock heads were polished and given a new valvetrain. Hibbard added a full oiling system with large sump. Induction is a stock 1500 S intake with twin Weber 34 ICT carburetors. Exhaust is through headers and a Vintage Speed Abarth-style exhaust system that adds an aggressive charm to the overall package. 

When he first bought it, Hibbard found a sloppy shifter linkage. A rebuild was in order and he now describes it as tight and notchy, with almost a short-shift feel. All electrics were tidied or replaced, down to new pushbutton switches. The only other change was to the wheels and tires, “but they may be changed again,” he said, “as the offsets are not quite right.”

From The Workshop To The Road

After all that work, Hibbard’s T34 is a runner. For comparison’s sake, a standard T34 powered by a stock 1500 S engine makes 60 horsepower. Top speed is about 85 miles per hour on the highway. “Just a guess, but it’s probably making about 90 horsepower now,” said Hibbard. “It’s fairly quick, but I haven’t tried a top speed run yet.”

Overall, Hibbard considers the efforts to restore this T34 as money well-spent. “We’ve put a couple thousand miles on it so far and look forward to doing some vintage rallies out West and in Canada,” he said. “It’s very comfortable and best of all, it’s got two trunks!”

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