The following is from Jim Patterson, of  House of Ghia

Subject: Flank badges on a T-3 Ghia.
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 17:21:41 -0800 (PST)
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Jim Patterson)
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The description of TWO flank badges on certain T-3 Ghias sparked a bit of interest. Here is some follow up information.

The badges are part # 343-853-921 and the description column of the Type 3 parts manual describes them as: Sign "Karmann Ghia" (for sealing off the parking lamp opening).

(VW doesn't mean parking lamp, they mean a type of sidemarker). The part is used with "M" (option) 274.

A Type 3 Karmann Ghia that carried M 274 would have the following major characteristics: (And a host of minor characteristics, like these badges).

With sealed beam headlites, red taillites, emergency light ('66 models), but without headlamp flasher. (This would be true of all T-3 Ghias thru '67)

(1968-'69 T-3 Ghias with option M 274 would have) Sealed beam headlites, red taillites, but without headlamp flasher and parking lamp.

*****Headlite flasher refers to the quick flash switch on the turn signal column. Remember, Type 1, USA market Ghias thru much of this era did not have a quick flash feature either.

*****Unfortunately, VW can't get its description of the parking lamp straight. In the case of M 274, the parking lamp refers to the SECOND bulb in the headlite bulbholder. Halogen bulbed, Euro market Karmann Ghias (both type 1 and type 3) and Beetles and Buses had a small, (in the case of the Type 3 Ghia,) 4 watt bulb to indicate to the outside world the lites are on. This bulb never blinked, (as would a turnsignal bulb). Adapting seal beam units to the headlite wiped out the ability to carry this "parklite bulb". Therefore, North American market T-3 Ghias carried a front "turnsignal" bulbholder (the part we Americans usually call the parklite) having TWO POLES or contacts. So, as was the custom with North American market VW's of all types, a DOUBLE contact/filament bulb was used in the parklite.

Here's a little test you can perform on your Type 3 Ghia. It will tell you which market the car was originally built or intended to be sold in.

• If your T-3 Ghia (or Bug, Notchback, etc.) used a RED/WHITE lens in the side marker, your car was intended for the German "home" market. (Or, at least those countries that were directly influenced by German traffic laws.)
• If your T-3 Ghia, etc. used all amber lenses in the sidemarker, your car was intended for the European marketŠoutside of Germany. I.E.  Sweden, France, etc.
• If your T-3 Ghia used a badge to cover up the fender hole intended to house sidemarkers, your car was intended for the USA/North American market.

Now, with T-3 Ghia parts so hard to get, one or more items could be easily changed on today's "mint stocker". However, if your car has a majority of the features listed in one of the two columns below, it was likely intended (manufactured) for that market.

I agree with Richard, North American Type 3 Ghias were rare, but they did exist; with as many as several thousand being built. One of the prime hunting grounds for T-3 Ghias is any state that borders Canada. Washington State, for example, has more than "its share" of T-3 Ghias, largely because  they "sifted down" from British Columbia.