Dirt cheap build from a newbie

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:56 pm

Anyone who knows the history of the baja is gonna take a good hard look at yours when you drive by. Dig that thing out and get to work. I need it done by summer.

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:23 am

Thanks a lot, that comment means a lot since that is exactly the look I'm going for. I actually got some work done on it this weekend, not a lot but as the weather gets warmer, I hope to be more consistent. I started building the frames to mount the seats I got (Plymouth Breeze, price was right...FREE). I've been collecting parts over the winter and now have my headlights as well as some vintage off-road lights I got off Ebay - 4" for the apron area and 6" for the roof, an old Formuling wheel, windshield, etc. I need to get another spool of wire so I can start welding up the holes in the dash and get it prepped for paint. I figure it might be best to paint it before I wire it, that a good idea or not?

Supposed to be in the 50's this week...WOOOOT! My goal is to be on the road before the 4th of July.

ghiabateman · Post by **ghiabateman** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:15 am

That Baja is looking GREAT!!, making a tribute to the OG is sweet. where in NH are you?, might have to cruise by and rubberneck that Baja

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:18 am

Hey, 'sup? I'm over in Dover. I just came in contact with a guy in Barrington that just bought a pretty sweet 63 baja, he bought my fibreglass fenders off me. Anytime you are going to be in the area, let me know, I'd love to hang out with other VW guys (and gals). Fusername, namelesswonder, RedEvilrps13 and myself are going to try to get together at some point before snow flies again for a little light off roading, pop into this thread http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=124131 and make a post so we'll keep you in the loop. We could use a ghiabaja!! If you need any parts for a ghia, a friend of mine (has this really cool Super-based Volksrod with a Ford front beam) just got a parts car that he is stripping, I probably can get stuff for you if he doesn't need it. We trade back and forth a lot.

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:19 am

I'm picking up another project within the next week. I posted a thread about it in the T1 forum since I wasn't sure where to put it. Check it out if you get the chance, http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=124726, it is a lost and abandoned Superbeetle SCCA rally car from the 70s that I've been wanting for a long time (since the late 90s). This will really help get me motivated to finish the baja (ok, so my wife is a large motivation with me bring home 'another orphan' to get at least one of them running and on the road) as soon as possible once I get some stuff knocked off my honey-do list.

fusername · Post by **fusername** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:33 pm

hey quit getting distracted! I got a wiring harness if you are still interested, its in the back of my car. I am going up to NH sat, if I have time we could orchestrate a meet up for the evening? Shoot me a pm or something funny.

hows that project comin?

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:14 pm

The only distractions right now are the honey-do lists. Spent last weekend remodeling the bathroom, have to finish that up soon. Supposed to be gorgeous out this weekend so need to get the pool opened and all the crap picked up in the yard. Oh, and I need to make a spot in the yard for my latest price, the Rally Super. I've already vowed that I will finish the baja before I seriously dive into the rally car (my wife made me but I was thinking that way anyway), I want to go woods running with you guys this summer!! I'll be around most of Saturday, Sunday the band rehearses so Saturday would be best. I'm easy to find off RT16. I'll shoot you a PM tomorrow with directions and stuff, I'm getting old so I have to head to bed:)

Even though the Rally car is a Super, I'm still not going to need those front end parts so I'm going to send them back with you when you come up.

fusername · Post by **fusername** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:44 pm

oh dear! I may hit the hay soon enough too, but thats only cause I am still sick. I will happily lighten your load, and drop off a harness for you. Let me know if there is anything else you need, I have a pile of stuff I plan on using in the future, but if you can use it now, I am sure I can use it to prey parts out of you I need!

what you got left on that baja of yours anyways?

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:34 am

Was the price I offered on the harness ok?

What I have left is:

-finish trimming the fenders and mount them
-raise the rear a click or two
-mount gas tank
-install rear wheel cylinders and brake lines
-fabricate rear bumper mounts
-buy or fabricate front bumper
-lighting
-mount seats
-paint
-wire

You know, it didn't seem that bad until I wrote it down. Damn.

Fortunately, I don't have much more to buy for it. I already have the rear lights figured out and I have the front off-road lights. What I need to find is a pair of inexpensive buggy headlights. I got a set off Ebay and when they arrived ended up being just 7" off-road lights and not the headlights advertised. I was going to bitch and send them back until I got the rally Beetle, now I'll put those on the mounts in the front that car and they should look period correct.

fusername · Post by **fusername** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:20 pm

i don't recall what you offered, but Im sure it was fair. do you have signals in the front on your fenders? if not a set of plow lights would make your car stand out. I just get a kick out of being different, so try not to listen too hard.

birddog1148 · Post by **birddog1148** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:57 pm

I thought about plow lights at one time.

crane550 · Post by **crane550** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:06 pm

Sneaks wrote:The only distractions right now are the honey-do lists. Spent last weekend remodeling the bathroom, have to finish that up soon. Supposed to be gorgeous out this weekend so need to get the pool opened and all the crap picked up in the yard. Oh, and I need to make a spot in the yard for my latest price, the Rally Super. I've already vowed that I will finish the baja before I seriously dive into the rally car (my wife made me but I was thinking that way anyway), I want to go woods running with you guys this summer!! I'll be around most of Saturday, Sunday the band rehearses so Saturday would be best. I'm easy to find off RT16. I'll shoot you a PM tomorrow with directions and stuff, I'm getting old so I have to head to bed:)

Even though the Rally car is a Super, I'm still not going to need those front end parts so I'm going to send them back with you when you come up.

Haha....looking at my list...

Fix kitchen drawer, make shelves, put screens on windows, install new shower head, mow lawn, give OScar a bath, clean kennel, pressure wash house.....it goes on and on and on

Sneaks · Post by **Sneaks** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:29 pm

...I hope Oscar is the dog....

crane550 · Post by **crane550** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:32 pm

haha, yea!

fusername · Post by **fusername** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:02 am

you dirty dog you! hopefully you'll be hearing from me later and I can give you that wiring harness!