This VW Type 34 Ghia 'Razor' Is The Beauty Next To The Beach

Matt Jacobson is a simple man with specific tastes. He spent years tracking this car down, and we recently sat down with him to hear the full story:
I always loved the car. It’s so elegant, it has this look of an Italian sports car of the era with all the VW underpinnings, and that extra foot, or however little bit longer it is than the regular Karmann Ghia platform. It’s very well-proportioned. The rear end is evocative of a round tail light BMW 2002. And, it has this bubble top roof that sits on very narrow B pillars that make it look like the hard top of a Mercedes 300SL Roadster.
I had been looking for an original or mostly original example and since the car was never originally imported to America, very few were around, And, most of the ones I did see had been lowered and modified. Petrolicious actually has the most complete write up on the Type 34 and while there is a small community of Type 34 collectors online, the details are pretty sparse. ISP West in Carson, is owned by Alex Pagado, has really done the most to build interest in Type 34 VW’s. He knew I was looking for a Type 34, and didn’t want to show me his personal car that was hiding under a cover in his shop. He loved it and didn’t want to sell, but we ultimately figured that out. Without Alex’s VW knowledge and inventory, I wouldn’t have been able to put together such a great collection of early, unrestored cars.
As a kid there were a lot of Karmann Ghias around, and they just never spoke to me. I have a greater appreciation for them now, but they lack the lines of the type 34. The type 34’s are often referred to as “razors” because of that sharp crease around the belt line. I think it just makes it so elegant and beautiful, and the regular Karmann Ghias don't have that. I'm starting to look at Karmann Ghias differently. I've seen some great ones around, but they just haven’t done it for me.
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@motosoul]

Cars before 1980s were out of the world. They had soul. we are killing everything as we progress with technology. Beautiful Car. Cheers!

[@looking_33]

Motosoul - A Tribute to Old Motorcycles I believe a renaissance in car design is coming, but in a futuristic way, the ugly designs of the 80s until today will soon end.

[@superfelele]

meek miLL well i actually think most 80s cars are very good looking :) 60s cars are beautiful but sometimes quite boring in terms of design. there are awesome and awful cars in every decade and It would be a shame if there would be retro cars only in the future. I like 80s and 70s cars the most and i dont really like prewar cars, but thats just my taste.

[@usquanigo]

They still do. But its not common. They're still being made with soul though.

[@Shmoozo55]

I love the art of these videos as much as I appreciate their subject matter.

[@richardbixler]

There are a handful of things that are as beautiful as it gets, this is one of those things. There are a handful of cars that are as beautiful so I wouldn’t say it’s the most beautiful car, but I’d also say there’s no car more beautiful. Truly perfect to my eyes.

[@ShamWerks]

Thank you for featuring an underrated piece of art. Beautiful Ghia.

[@mej6519]

gorgeous razor. fairplay to him for keeping it as original as possible.

[@joshbriggsDayZBeast]

YES YES YES YES YES one of the most visually stunning cars ever built!

[@5610winston]

Along with the original KG, and the Bob Bourke Studebaker coupes, and the Avanti. Maybe the Darrin classics.

[@danmuzicman01]

Yeah! Another person who drives stick barefooted! I used to drag race at the track like that as well. I loved the feeling of everything meshing together. Imagine the sensations and vibrations you get through the steering wheel and shifter, now add that to your feet and legs and it makes everything feel just that much more part of the experience.

[@nunomc2815]

Another great review, showing us a great perspective from a true petrolhead. Amazing classic VW Karmann Ghia, very friendly owner, nice landscapes, another five stars vid from Petrolicious.

[@DimitriTheSaint]

you call that a great review??? how much did you learn about the Type 34 ? they didn't even show the engine. Only yack yack.

[@RantUp]

DimitriTheSaint it's not a review buddy, it's a showcase of this car and it's owner.

[@nunomc2815]

DimitriTheSaint You're right, "my bad", it's a great "vlog", not quite a review. Regarding engine bay and overall specs I think it has got an "aftermarket" VW 1,8 liters barrels' kit which pulls it up to 80 HP. But this car is all abouts its heritage and "soul", rather than power or torque marks, in my opinion. Thank you for your comment 😊👍

[@aserta]

Stunning car, but, then again, that shop produced some of the most iconic and beautiful cars of the past times. Pity today we've thrown that art form under the safety mat.

[@reionmiller9289]

Vintage cars are so cool, it really shows that designers had more focus on functionality and style in those times. I wish a little of the creativity gets sprinkled in the near future for all car companies.

[@blues03]

Due to all the safety equipment that is mandatory in modern day cars, they will rarely ever look this clean or simple again. It's been said that (car) designers only have creative freedom on the rear of a car. Some modern cars look great, but the oldies will always carry the spirit of what a car once was and cars today will represent what society says a car needs to be; safe and efficient.

[@benno1974]

Nicely said. I totally agree that old school cars are the best hence I treasure my Ford Capri

[@blues03]

benno1974 Thank you for your kind words. Ford Capri's can look pretty simple and clean, nice car. It'll be a sad but nostalgic day about 20 years from now when cars from the late 80s to 90s transition from classic to vintage. I also think most of us are connected to cars based on the periods we grew up in (hence the HUGE love of simple 80s-90s cars that are still desirable and somewhat attainable). I think it'll be a disconcerting time when sometime in the future a generation of children will be born only knowing electric (and potentially solar) powered vehicles and will only see how dirty and inefficient they were and leave it at that without being able to understand the tangible beauty of a rumbling engine, hydraulic/non-assisted power steering and feeling connected to the road. Sorry to ramble. Guess I'm becoming an old man after all.

[@SvenDansk7]

Manufacturers had wider profit margins with fewer regulations. Consumers demanded fewer heavy, expensive, space-eating "conveniences" and safety features. And most coachbuilders styled their cars with a bit of a cookie-cutter attitude then, just as some people think designers do today. But if you knew what it took to design a car today you'd be amazed at how good they look, considering.

[@Michael_Lorenson]

I see completely eye-to-eye with Matt; I think the Type 34 is the most desirable air-cooled VW of them all. In fact I just watched another video about a T-34 and thought to myself that I would build a 75-80 HP engine for it, if it were mine. I'd remove and preserve the original, of course, and I don't think I'd change anything else, exactly as Matt has done. Bravo!

[@Jasongy827]

Matt Jacobson was on hondinkee talking watches, awesome! What a gorgeous car! By the way nice submariner.

[@nunomc2815]

Armani Nguon I noticed that also 😊👌

[@Altema22]

This car has been on my bucket list for a while...

[@jd-py5nm]

one of the most beautiful vw for sure if not the most.

[@classics.report]

Thank you for uploading the video. At present I'm working as well on a KG Typ 34. By searching on the topic Karmann I found it. Great - very emotional! Olaf (Germany)

[@resd76resd76]

You guys are the only KZbin channel I turn off AdBlocker for. Consistently providing phenomenal content. Can't wait for the next video.

[@ryanm3797]

Completely relate to the smell of the car, and that maybe it's not even the smell but the feel and the texture and the sound that creates a place so unlike anything made in at least the past few decades.

[@antoineboutier8837]

Maybe the first legit T34 video on KZbin!

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

And hopefully, the last!!!!

[@pauljordan5823]

I saw one of these today at a car show in Prescott, Arizona. I was quite taken a back! Beautiful sculptured lines and very pleasing to the eye! Yes, Drive it and enjoy it!

[@martian9999]

guy looks like Michael Keaton

[@Jan-vc1qg]

Ahhhhh my mom drove it back in the 60s.. Nice memory.

[@Symmetre]

"Nothing is too precious." Brilliant!

[@ThePhillkillv2]

Absolutely perfect timing. Something good to go with some coffee.

[@stephenoverstreet9898]

Top notch job again guys! Beautifully shot, scored, and edited.

[@golfo0011]

My favorite WV is the first Karmann Ghia, pure of lines and stylist, but this car is something special too. Great vid again, thanks petrolicious!

[@duncanallen1770]

VW has always designed beautiful cars and this is another stunning example a razor edge.

[@faroukkhlass6165]

I'm obsessed with the classic cars and specially the classic Fiat 500 and Citroen DS 23

[@kojikuza4661]

almost any owner that been covered by petrolicious usually using their car as a daily or their drive it like they stole it hahaha love it, a true car guy that love their cars, love it..

[@pbfloyd13]

The front end looks like an owl that caught her roommate eating the last ice cream sandwich.

[@klasseact6663]

This guy absolutely GETS IT! The comment below, WELL SAID!

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

He doesn't get sh*t other than what a MORON he is!!!!!!

[@superscope9629]

Stunning example of a VW Karmann Ghia...reminds me of a car very similar, yet a polar opposite to this: the Ghia-designed 1960 Chrysler Imperial.

[@abefroman07]

love seeing this cool car shot in my hometown

[@TheHurst63]

Good old PV. Great place to grow up.

[@marshallman1au]

MMMMM He's right ... My fave VW as well ..... First time I've seen one close up ......

[@CarlosOliveira-cj3iz]

Your videos are so good that even this car looks like some italian exotica...

[@dehoedisc7247]

The 1965 Chevrolet Corvair just blew this type 3 KG into the weeds in every way, by styling, by Horsepower and by affordability, availability, any way you measure it. Sure it is rare, so is a 1954 Kaiser Darrin, but as a driving machine the "343" VW was an obscure low production oddity, which performed Exactly like it's common cousins, the "311" fastback and the "361" squareback.

[@HyouMix]

Look at that beauty

[@DoctorDARKSIDE]

Really amazing machine! The steering wheel is soooo similar to the early 70's Porsche 911... I guess that's not really a surprise!

[@finnblu3002]

... nice one "P". a shared reference to "elegant" . That word and others defines what was and what no longer is tangible in most current car designs an aesthetic guiding, nuturing and intwined in the designers, the varied colaboration and the final model type in all its glory- and barefoot...classic.

[@davecom3]

Who knew that VW used to design interesting looking cars!

[@mariosubasic.media1]

Me

[@mcstaal]

They didn't. It's Ghia who designed it!

[@epbrown01]

Ghia designed some nice cars for them, back in the day. In this case, I prefer the Corvair, though. A friend of min has always wanted a Ghia VW and a Bertone Volvo.

[@shwt121]

This should have been the 'ghia' that was imported to the USA.....

[@dehoedisc7247]

It's a KARMANN GHIA.

[@radulacatusu4154]

Dude loves his watch..

[@wackycar8395]

Nice work operators and the video crew )

[@seinsmeld13]

Thank you for a wonderful story. Good luck with your car.

[@nygelmiller5293]

I saw the Jay Leno programme, where you demonstrated your car to him,!

[@winstonwolfe5733]

Wise person, good philosophy of life, besutiful car

[@stp9237]

This was great, I'd like to see an episode on a standard karmann ghia

[@AzOm606]

Best channel on KZbin

[@Ssheldon618]

Gorgeous car

[@triwahyuutomo4224]

very very rare car...amazing video :) Thank you

[@Tigersmundo]

Love the Wool CPO Shirt from Birdwell Beach Britches. Local clothing only in SoCal

[@76ajc]

Absolutely perfect

[@MaikEletrica]

Very nice!

[@Muuuuuuugh]

That's a great video! But I'm very sad because Brazil's justice decided last week the Karmann Ghia bankruptcy...

[@anastasiosgiannakis5704]

stylish video,stylish car,stylish mr.Jacobson ,barefoot driving ,vintage sub ,cartier bracelet. excellent ! keep 'em coming guys ...

[@kruisinwagen]

Love this car. Just stunning.

[@kim007250]

nice bit of escapism for us in the uk which is cold ,dark and dreary at the moment.

[@zestor2908]

Earlier there were beautiful cars, today they all look the same. Its a shame

[@MetalMechanic]

Hey I recognize that area. Palos Verdes, CA. Good video!

Does Petrolicious have or do they plan on having their own drivetribe? would be and instant follower. you could post stuff like "Behind the scenes" and "making of" in there or maybe a blog of how you find the cars and their owners. That would be epic.

[@knitterscheidt]

the back looks similar to BMW 2002, awesome car

[@elrafel1]

beautiful vw

[@fphedman]

would love to see a pre50s Volvo on this show, an öv4 might be a stretch but something along those lins ☺

[@markwilliams5654]

nice edit thanks :)

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome looking Karmann Ghia. I remember seeing one in person, and while I knew it was a rear-engined Volkswagen, I couldn't tell what it was. I didn't find it as attractive at the time as the Karmann Ghia most people think of, with its more rounded body, with rounded fenders, etc. but I didn't find it hideous either. From some angles, I found it attractive, but from other angles, I thought it looked hideous.

[@xBris]

You make "rear-engined" sound like it's some kind of special thing. All Karmann Ghia's are VW beetles underneath. And the beetle has always been rear-engined.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

There were other rear-engine cars at the time: the Porsche 912, the Corvair, and the Tatra 603.

[@anime536_8]

but wasn't the makers of the karmann ghia an independent company, before they got bought out by volkswagen?? so that would mean that the first karmann ghia's were technically not beetles until the takeover..

[@acmeopinionfactory8018]

Anime536 _ Karmann was a body builder for various auto companies. If a company had short runs or special body needs, they would farm it out to Karmann, as it was cheaper than setting up for these in their own factory. Ghia was a designer which the car was named after. It was always a Volkswagen, just assembled by Karmann.

[@bullmoose458]

The 34 Karmann was not Beetle-based but had the chassis of the larger Volkswagen Type 3 (the 14 Karmann was a Beetle underneath) and the corresponding engine with 54HP in the last version.

[@catalinamflanagan5782]

Great video A must see

[@edwinabraham8542]

Hey guys this is Austin

[@longboardluv2]

beautiful!!!

[@whogivesacrap84]

I think the way he describes the ownership of Olds things at the end is very much the same that alot of us aircooled guys view things... it must be functional... be able to enjoy it ... or what's the point?

[@faroukkhlass6165]

Italians designs is the best

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

Double the factory hp coupled to the close ratio trans... 1835cc is a great upgrade.

[@yoseppijoe]

that is a beautiful vw

[@jl8628]

You guys need to take a 65-66 Corvair Corsa convertible out for a ride.

[@Qba308]

cool strory :)

[@xxhotelcrazyxx]

Is he a pilot? Some of the words he was using seemed to influence that he is.

[@thesoultwins72]

How much would a good example of one of these cost.....?

[@Lu-KN]

5:20 yes.

[@darrenlee1480]

nice momotaro shirt

[@Make_SPQR_Great_Again]

nice rolex submariner

[@schnike0073]

Quite an internet famous type 3

[@THE_Michael_Westen]

I´ve noticed that in a lot of classic cars the rev counter isn´t working. Does anyone know if there is a reason for this ? I find this kind of odd.

[@johnhpianoman]

It could be because the cars have been converted to electronic ignition.. especially in positive earth systems this can stop the tacho working. Or it could be because they're old and knackered!

[@THE_Michael_Westen]

John Hemingway Interesting, hadn´t thought of that. Thanks.

[@antoineboutier8837]

It's an aftermarket tachometer though..Original Type 34's tachometers are bloody rare

[@christosganidis]

song at the background @ 1:51??

[@lucasrivas8996]

It definitely has a 2002 feel...

[@snardvark9699]

I have a 1964 Karmann Ghia and i was looking at that steering wheel is that stock mine looks completely different , if someone could let me know that be great.

[@snardvark9699]

no its a late model vw one idk why he would restore everything and have an ugly new style steering wheel

[@ssnobrakesable]

righteous dude.....

[@lukasschmitz7231]

music is from gustavo santaollala i guess

[@dimasp4651]

please make video about hummer h1 1992

[@giacintoaprile6565]

Love petrolicious

[@trivium_13]

sad for karmann who closed doors officialy last week

[@josephsolis3018]

GHIA WHIZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

Is it April 1st?

[@GhostRider_237]

i came here after watching Tarantino’s “Once upon a time ... in Hollywood”

[@80sandmore94]

The rpm gauge is not working... :) I'm joking. Good work, interesting guy.

[@usquanigo]

Dude looks like Michael Keaton. But if you restore a car and it doesn't drive as good as it did, you're doin' it wrong.

[@alkoyyy]

very nice, but I like the type 14 better.

[@tonino5113]

Noi Italiani creiamo Arte, tutti gli altri ci provano. traduzione We Italians we create art, all other they try

[@sphilip92]

Next time take room tone on your audio, so the edits are not SO noticeable.

[@Lunarl4ndr]

I like to drive unmolested cars, but I'll put an 1835cc engine in it. -.- Don't talk stock high horse and swap the engine. Can't handle the period power, then you're the same as anyone else who modifies.

[@jamesdoe5824]

Pablo's verses California

[@leewilliams2094]

Driving barefoot is illegal in California. But he's probably smoking a joint too.! Lol

[@thetreblerebel]

The Ghia...waka waka

[@KnightDriveTV]

Petrolicious...we need some displacement on here...that or something more race inspired that is smaller. No muscle cars, need some vintage road race cars or some bigger displacement GT cars. Give us somethin!