The 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34 now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth represents a rare slice of automotive history: a model never officially sold in the United States. Known as the "Razor Edge Ghia" for its sharp, angular styling, the Type 34 was styled by Italian design house Carrozzeria Ghia and hand-built by Karmann in Germany. It was positioned as a more luxurious and exclusive sibling to the familiar Karmann Ghia Type 14, featuring a refined cabin and distinctive looks that earned admiration across Europe. However, few examples made their way across the Atlantic, making any sighting on American soil a noteworthy event.
This particular car was reportedly purchased new in Europe and later brought to the U.S. by a military service member. Finished in elegant beige, it retains hallmark features such as a two-spoke steering wheel with a Wolfsburg horn ring, chrome accents, and a push-button AM/FM radio. The interior also includes crank windows, a locking glovebox, a passenger grab handle, and a full VDO gauge cluster with a 100-mph speedometer, clock, and aftermarket 6k-rpm tachometer. The rear-mounted engine delivers power through a four-speed manual transaxle, while the front trunk houses the fuel tank and spare wheel, typical of Volkswagen's engineering layout. The odometer shows 54,000 miles, supporting its well-preserved status.
According to Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, the Type 34's appeal lies in its obscurity. "Most people have never seen a Type 34 in person—let alone one this complete," Sturgeon said. "It's a rare opportunity to experience a piece of VW history that was never meant for U.S. roads." With only around 42,000 Type 34s produced globally and far fewer surviving today, this 1967 coupe is one of the rarest air-cooled Volkswagens ever built. Its presence in the museum underscores the collection's focus on celebrating not just automotive beauty, but the stories and people behind each vehicle.
The DFW Car & Toy Museum, formerly known as the DFW Elite Toy Museum, was founded by Ron Sturgeon in the 1980s and recently relocated to a 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth. The museum offers free parking and admission, and displays over 200 classic vehicles and thousands of vintage toys. For those interested in viewing this rare Volkswagen and the rest of the collection, more information is available at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
