Rare 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34 Makes Lone Star Debut at Fort Worth Museum

FORT WORTH — A rare European-market automobile has found a home in North Texas, and its presence at the DFW Car & Toy Museum is drawing attention from car enthusiasts nationwide. The 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34, part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, is a standout among Volkswagens—not just for its sleek lines or rarity, but because it was never officially sold in the United States. Known as the “Razor Edge Ghia,” any sighting on American soil is a noteworthy occasion.

Styled by Italian design house Carrozzeria Ghia and hand-built by Karmann, the Type 34 is a more luxurious and angular sibling to the familiar Karmann Ghia Type 14. Its distinctive styling, refined cabin, and exclusivity earned it admiration across Europe, though few made the transatlantic journey. This particular example was reportedly purchased new in Europe and later brought stateside by a U.S. 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 boasts crank windows, a locking glovebox, passenger grab handle, and a full VDO gauge cluster, including 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 VW’s engineering layout. The odometer shows 54,000 miles, supporting its well-preserved status.

“Most people have never seen a Type 34 in person—let alone one this complete,” says Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. “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 display at the museum underscores the institution’s commitment to preserving automotive history and providing an economic boost to Fort Worth’s cultural tourism sector.

The museum, formerly known as the DFW Elite Toy Museum, was founded by Sturgeon in the 1980s and recently relocated to a 150,000-square-foot facility at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth. The new space offers free parking and admission, secure climate-controlled car storage, and facilities for events including car club gatherings and board meetings. It is also dog friendly and encourages pictures. For those interested in viewing this rare Volkswagen and over 200 other classic vehicles and thousands of vintage toys, more information is available at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The display of the Type 34 is more than a curiosity for gearheads; it represents a tangible link to automotive history that is increasingly hard to find. As the museum continues to attract visitors from across the state and beyond, it reinforces Fort Worth’s position as a destination for car culture and highlights the economic impact of niche tourism in Texas.