When my wife and I first started dating we shared a dream to own a Karmann Ghia – twenty years later we discovered the Type 34 KG and fell in love. We finally decided to act on that 20 year old dream and started searching the internet. After about a month I found the type34.org website and was dumfounded that I had never heard of this “other” Karmann Ghia. I quickly fell in love with its lines especially the front end and agreed that we should look for a Type 34 instead of a Type 14 KG.

About a week later I saw that Lee was selling this T34 on eBay for a NC widow. I recognized his name from the type34.org website and decided to shoot him an email inquiring about the car. I can't say enough about the help and guidance Lee has provided to me. With his help I got the car from NC to Ohio and that is when he really stepped in and saved me. Two days after I received the T34 it leaked fluid in the garage then it wouldn't start. I called Lee in a moment of frustration and he calmly told a few reasons that might be causing it not to start, informed me that this "was part of the JOY of owning a 40-plus year old car", and to not worry that it would be fixed and running soon. This is the moment that I think Lee was the biggest help to me (a type A personality) and the one I’m most grateful for. He was able to remind me this was a car I bought to nurture, care for, get to know its inner workings and most of all enjoy cruising around in; not a car that was to reliably get me from point A to B. As appreciative as I was of these peaceful and insightful words if it was not for Lee’s immense knowledge of T34’s our KG would probably still be sitting in the garage not running.

I feel confident that our KG will always be cruising as long as I know how to get a hold of Lee. Family Cruise Night: our family just got done taking an evening cruise tonight. I love how my wife considers owning the car a romantic gesture and I enjoy that the kids want to go on the cruises as well. Who would have thought that a family could get so much joy out of the “new old car” – what the kids call the KG.

Chad Tinkel (Bryan, Ohio)

"Almost ten years ago to the day I decided to act on my dream of owning a rare T34. Fortunately, I discovered the T34 Registry, a web site dedicated exclusively to the T34, joined the group and quickly moved along the learning curve in order to know more about these rare and beautiful cars. Lee was always there to answer detailed questions of the history and mechanics of the T34. His patience and in-depth responses to my queries assured me that when it came time for me to purchase a T34, I would have the best support available anywhere. That was indeed the case as I searched diligently for the car of my dreams and after months of searching and asking questions, I decided to go to the motherland, Germany, and bought my 1969 T34 Coupe. Lee had evaluated the T34 in Mainhausen, Germany, gave it a "thumbs-up" and I took the plunge, made arrangements to ship the car to the States. It was a dream come true and I'm convinced that without Lee's support and vast knowledge, my dream would still be just that -- a dream. But the story doesn't end there.

I now have owned and become wonderfully attached to the T34 for ten years. What an experience! What a car! I have made friends around the world thanks to this car. One of those friends who has stayed in touch without fail is Lee. He has continued to answer questions, provide resources, and garner support for the care and preservation of the T34 marque. In September 2008 I came to the gut-wrenching decision that I needed to sell my T34 -- not "wanted," but "needed" to sell my T34. Who was there with more help and support and personal involvement to facilitate this difficult transition? Lee Hedges. His expertise, in league with his conscientious ways, made the sale of my T34 a deeply meaningful experience. Lee's network of contacts and diligence resulted in my car being sold WITHIN THREE DAYS of the car arriving in his driveway. He handled every detail of the sale with the utmost responsibility and care. I am regularly amazed at Lee's dedication to and love for the T34 and the camaraderie he maintains with T34 owners. I learned who bought the T34 & where it will live and have a deep sense of satisfaction that, thanks to Lee Hedges, the car has found a true home once again."

Steve Odom (Orcas Island, Washington)

"After many years of procrastination, I finally decided to sell my 1965 Karmann Ghia, which has been my “pride and joy” from the moment I picked it up, as a brand new car, in Furth, Germany in July 1965. I had been reluctant to initiate the selling of the car as I feared the possibility of problems when dealing with strangers. So, I was really pleased when Lee offered to take on the project for me. He is the ultimate in “T34 uniqueness”, the one person whose passion for this marque is unequalled, the most knowledgeable person, world-wide, of this classic automobile. Whatever needed to be done was done: spare parts, battery problems, brake concerns, fuses, windshield wiper blades, upholstery work – whatever the T34 needed, he found a solution. I know all of this from personal experience.

It was a sad day when I sent my car to Lee (“First Class” on a flat bed truck!). He checked it over, gave it the cosmetic treatments it needed (as a 43 year old, it needed and deserved them!), and in only 16 days found a new family to take care of my “long-time playmate”. When I look at the garage space where “Miss Ghia” has resided, I feel all the emotions of the “empty nest syndrome”! I known my T34 is very lucky to be moving to Hawaii, where I'm confident it will enjoy a pleasant life in such a tropical paradise. I’m sure the Hawaiian family will enjoy this little treasure – and I wish them and the car many good experiences together. Aloha!"

Rose Vardanian (West Los Angeles, California)

"Two years ago I purchased a 1966 T34 and even though it was in dire straights, I had planned on restoring it to its original beauty. I kept it stored in my yard for 14 months, saving money for what I knew would be an expensive endeavor. When the time came to start searching for parts, I became disenchanted with the project because I was running into too many dead ends. I happened on Lee's Pure T34 website and decided to email him with my dilemma. Lee responded immediately and began giving me information about all of his contacts around the world and how I could purchase the parts I needed. He even hooked me up with Jimmy Braxmeyer who would be the artist who would be doing the body work. When I hauled my car down to Jimmy's shop to have the car examined, Lee went down and personally inspected it and gave me his honest opinion. He told me that unless I wanted to put $30,000 into a major restoration project, he would recommend looking for another car. Having rarely seen these cars on the road, I knew I would have a tough time finding one. But Lee's connection to the T34 world and his expertise in this field proved very lucky for me. Within a few weeks, Lee had three different options for me. My top choice was a 1968 Regatta Blue T34 that I ended up purchasing from Jules Dielen in Arizona. I am currently having the car painted and all the rubber replaced. Lee helped me find a complete set of rubber gaskets on German eBay and successfully bid on an upper dash pad from Hungary. I can barely buy anything on American eBay so I am very grateful for all of Lee's help in my quest. Lee's knowledge and personal attention to details has been phenomenal and I know that I will be able to count on his assistance in the future."

John Lisowski (Venice, California)

"I started actively looking for a Type 34 in 1987. For 10 years I went it alone and eventually found one in Long Beach, CA. At that time I joined the Type 34 Registry and met its founder Lee Hedges. With his informed evaluation, I decided there were better cars out there and I needed to find one. He located a one-owner 1965 343 no more than 45 minutes away from me within months, not years. His endorsement of that car and ongoing support were instrumental in the 8 year restoration. Lee's thorough knowledge of the marque is second only to our enduring friendship."

Scott Perry (Simi Valley, California)

"Fortunately, I found Lee when I was purchasing my T34 from a good friend of mine. I can not tell you how lucky I was to find Lee and it is because of him I've become such a fan of these cars and have decided to keep mine for the long haul. I deal a lot in the Porsche community and it is very rare to find someone so enthusiastic about a particular model car. Lee knows more about T34s than anyone of any other marque. He knows how to keep these cars preserved and his wealth of knowledge has made him one of my most valuable automotive resources. Plain and simple, I would not consider buying a part, let alone a whole T34 without consulting Lee first. His passion is unequaled! Thanks again for all your support in saving these cars."

Paul Kramer (Costa Mesa, California)
AutoKennel

"I really lucked out when I began my search for a Type 34, and stumbled upon the 1963 T343 Lee was selling. His knowledge and communication were great! Lee educated me on the full history of the vehicle and provided me with pages full of neatly organized documentation. He even picked me up from the airport so I could drive it home. I've never had a better experience buying a Volkswagen. I wish more people in the community put as much passion and care into each sale as he does."

Jacin Ferreira (San Jose, California)

"I've been a "Ghia Freak" since 1987 and own a 1969 Coupe & Cabriolet, so when I got excited about the T34 at the 2003 VW Classic I knew it would be the last KG to complete my set. I found a 1965 T34 on theSamba in 2008 but I was unable to fly back out to California just to look at it. So, I contacted Lee and found that he knew the car first hand. Actually, Lee had helped the second owner (Scott) purchase it from the original owner, Minnie Crutcher. Thanks to Lee I spoke to everyone who had owned the vehicle (except Minnie, who had already passed on) and got good advice. I felt I couldn't do any better with the information that I had gained after speaking with Lee & the previous owners. What I got in return was a complete, solid, rust-free T34 and I can't thank Lee enough for his help!"

Amy Bausman (Maryland)

"I met Lee back in 2004 & I'd already been on the lookout for a T34 so I didn't waste any time in asking his opinion of one I hoped to make a deal for. He confirmed my basic thoughts, pointed out how difficult this T34 restoration would be, but advised me to save for "the best-quality T34 I could afford". At the time it wasn't easy to hear, but he was right. Over the next four years I asked his advice many times. Lee is great at playing devil's advocate when the buying urge has your checkbook in jeopardy. He's uniquely aware of which T34s are for sale and what's wrong with them and he isn't afraid to put a value on what it will take to make a particular T34 road or show-worthy. Once again in early-2008 a very worn T34 became available at a time when I had some extra money. I nearly bought it sight-unseen but since I couldn't see the car in person, I asked Lee his opinion. Not surprisingly, he'd already known about the T34 - he had been consulted by the seller on how to price it! He gave me a frank appraisal and what he thought it was worth (which the seller had chosen to ignore). When I glumly agreed that this wasn't the right T34 (yet again) he asked if I'd seen a 1966 that had just appeared on theSamba an hour ago. I quickly checked it out & put a deposit three days later. Four years after beginning my search, I'm now the proud owner of an original 3rd-owner 1966 Coupe & I couldn't be happier. What a great find and at a reasonable price too!"

Austin Gwin (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

"My husband loved his beautiful 1966 T34 and when he passed away I had no idea what to do with the T34. Fortunately I found PureT34 Consignments and Lee Hedges through the internet, as he was recommended by a German gentleman. Lee gently guided me through the sales process and gave me the confidence I needed to do the unknown. He took care of all the details, despite the T34 being in North Carolina and even offered to come see it in person while on a business trip to Raleigh NC. He’s honest and worked to do the things I had no idea how to do myself. The T34 sold in just seven days and Lee kept in contact with both the buyer and myself, making all the arrangements to have the T34 picked-up and transported to the buyer in Ohio. I would use him anytime to sell a T34 or just for advice and I highly recommend him. He certainly knows his trade very well."

Barbara Maudlin (Parkton, North Carolina)