Pure T34 Memories: Minnie Crutcher's Birthday Present

Minnie Crutcher of Hollywood, California was traveling in France in 1965. While on a side trip to the south of France she noticed a bright Red Type 34 whiz by on the highway and she said to herself right there, "What a beautiful car, I have to have one of my own." Upon her return to Paris, she went down to the local VW dealership and bought herself an Arcona White 1965 343 (345 137 782) as a 58th birthday present. She really didn't have the money for it considering that the shipping costs to bring it back to the US were almost as much as the car itself! It was an impulse decision, one she never regretted. While at the dealer she remembered seeing other T34s in various colors but she liked the Arcona White one the best.

Minnie remembers driving the Ghia all around Paris with her sister Florence while American G.I.s whistled as they passed by. They enjoyed the attention and it helped make things easier being so far from home.
After 6 months, her travels in Europe were finished and it was time to pack everything up, including the Type 34, and head back to California. After she arrived home, she drove the car around Northern California for a few years before relocating to Hollywood. She loved the car so much, she never saw the need to replace it. The car was maintained by the local VW dealership and was always safely garaged. It is clear the car has been well taken care of and is still remarkably original. Having lived in sunny California it's whole life, this Type 34 is truly a rust free survivor.

From the service notes she kept, it appears she drove it as far north as Canada and all the way to the East Coast on Summer breaks (as a teacher). Minnie was born on May 29th 1907 and interestingly she sold it on that same date in 1997, at 90 years old. In fact I was rushed to pick up the car since guests were arriving for her birthday party and her sister Florence didn't want Minnie to see her beloved T34 being taken away. Scott returned in 1999 to show Minnie her T34 one Sunday afternoon. It looked brand-new through 91 year old eyes standing 30 feet away and she was very happy to see it in that state. Her nurse said 'memories are all she has now". Ironically when I went to leave Minnie's home the T34 wouldn't even turn over, no click, nothing. I waited until she was back inside and I quietly rolled it down the street where it bump-started to life without incident. It has not done that before or since that day. It was one last 'moment of silence' for the woman who showed it such a priviledged life. Minnie died on October 13th 2001.