Type 34 Specific
The Type 34 TC
Translation by Per Lindgren:
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"A Fastback is the same as a Notchback. Just without the notch!". This
is the way VW's PR-people introduced the following 1600 TL. Just as in
1961, when they introduced the new, big VW with it's Karmann Ghia Coupe
version, it happened again at the 1965 IAA. A double date, so to say,
with a second one was planned for the 1965 IAA exhibition in Frankfurt.
The first drawings were dated April 1964, with it's most noticeable rear
sides being the main differences. The transition to another Karmann
version of the 34 was spawn from the unexpected slow sales of the Coupe.
With a bigger, more accessible boot, they had expected more customers to
fall for this car.
The development was fully carried out by Karmann, and the prototype was
ready by September. By this time, the situation at VW was a bit
difficult, as the debates over a merge with Daimler-Benz was raging.
Because of this, it lasted another two months before the Fastback-Coupe
was presented to the board in Wolfsburg. Still, it was well received,
and the plans to show it at the Frankfurt exhibition was laid. Then, in
January 1965, VW surprisingly backed out of the TC project. The reason
was supposedly problems with interior noise reduction. Why this was not
an issue with VW's own Touring-sedan, developed at the same time, was
never answered.
Unfortunately, the sales of the big Ghia did not improve, so VW planned
a complete reconditioning of the Coupe-body. For this, an extra
development designation, the 216 was made ready in February 1967 with a
dual headlight front end, a front to rear body line and wider tail
lights. When both the front and rear bonnets and the roof was
redesigned, they saw that the final work would be too expensive. Because
of this, Karmann brought the TC to attention once more. Because of it's
concept, it would offer far more versatility to the customers than a
redesigned Coupe. In addition, the development would be a lot quicker,
because of the job they did in 1964. Even then, a dual headlight version
was planned. VW finally dropped all development plans on the T34 because
it would cost too much, and the end for the Ghia was undoubtedly in sight.
Still, Karmann wouldn't give up, and built another Coupe into a
Fastback. The basis for this one was an early 1969 model with the
automatic transmission. This Touring also had an electrical sunroof and
doors with window frames. The dual headlights differed from the
VW-sketches, which had an oval frame later found on the 411. The body
crease remained in two pieces. The long rear side windows were pop-outs,
and the interior had seats with headrests. The rear load area was
carried out from the rear seat to the very end of the openable hatch.
Under the carpet one could find the typical engine cover. The TC was
finished in September 1968, one month before VW decided to stop
production of the Type 3 Coupe.
The TC has nothing to do with the Brazilian Ghia fastbacks, but Karmann
also developed a TC version of the type 1 Ghia, which was rejected by
VW, but was approved for production in Brazil.