How I Found the "Right" T34
Oct 2001 to May 2002
When I made the decision to find a Type 34, I smartly contacted the T34 Registry and joined up in October 2001.
I began to learn about the different models, different years, and what to look for in a T34. I found that there are quite a few "daily drivers" in the $4000 range
that needed another $10,000 worth of work. And after looking at the Registry archive T34 photos, I knew I didn't want a rusty car. So I decided to find a rust-free
low-mileage complete unrestored one ... and Lee said "Right, no problem".
After a few months of looking over possible candidates, I got a call from Lee Hedges on 18 April 2002. Lee told me he'd found a
one-owner 30,000-mile 1965 right-hand-drive T34 in Australia for sale that looked promising for $6500. After the first set of photos were exchanged it was clear
that this T34 was a clean original complete rust-free T34. It was discovered by local Aussie vintage VW enthusiast Simon Glen. Simon is a well-known author
of VW books and saw this T34 sitting on the lot of a VW repair shop for some time. He took photos and learned that the original owner had recently passed away and
the daughter was trying to sell it. He got some photos and contacted Lee who he'd known from several previous contacts. Simon drove the T34 and gave it a glowing
review. He helped with the money exchange and even kept it at his mother's home until it was loaded onto the cargo ship. Great guy!
I was torn about buying a right-hand-drive car simply because the driving position would be so unfamiliar. Then one day I saw my mailman drive up in his mail truck,
a right-hand-drive vehicle. We got to talking about this T34 and he confirmed that he switches between his mail truck & normal vehicle all the time without any problems.
Then he offered to let me test-drive his mail truck to see for myself how easy it was to be on the wrong side of the vehicle! Moments after figuring out the
gearshift & mirrors I felt comfortable & at ease with the right-hand-drive. No problem!
Here are the first photos that I saw of this original 1965 T34:
