As my signature implies I have a 68 VW baja I bought not too long ago, and the poor thing is a basket case. Although it came with a nice engine that has been put into my father's bug to get it going so we'd have a good car to take places. So my engine choices will now be either a type 4(2.0 liter) or the type 1 from my dad's bug(1600cc). Since he stole my engine he'll be rebuilding one of the two engines we have laying around(whichever comes out to less, I'm hoping the type 4). So I have a semi-solid foundation.

When we pulled it home we saw a lot of rust and cheap repairs. The passenger side windows are all messed up, but at least it has popouts. There's also large amounts of structural rust and mickey mouse wiring/fuel line.

My plan is to get something on the road. I'll be repairing what is needed to keep this body alive for a while, but I think its so far gone this will just be temparary until I can find a new body for it. I will need to rebuild much of the original floor pan, and while I'm at it I'll be adding a roll cage to take over the structure that would have been provided by a decent body. Pretty much I'll be building the chassis much like a fiberglass dune buggy, I'll just be keeping the stock body.

Pics:

Giant hole:

On the other side:

Rust and crappy repair:


More pics to come, I'm in the process of taking the body off to repair the structure first.

Pulled the gas tank, its a little messy and needs to be cleaned up. I'll probably be doing that tomorrow.


The rat's nest of wires under the hood, and rust. The fill pipe was so dry rotted I needed a saw to get the gas tank out.


My car currently has a cut and turned beam(a method of raising the front for those unfamiliar with VWs)

I've bought a replacement that is stock height since I don't like a high nose and that rear needs to come down.

Thats a stock beam notice the lack of welds around the bolt holding the torsions in place.

Swing axle transmissions don't do well lifted, as you can see that's some painful positive camber.


Poor thing also needs an engine in there.

Stripped dash needs some love


Just a pic of the poor beast sitting in the garage.


This hole was for the antenna which I'll be welding a plate over then smoothing with some bondo.

I love the Rally stripe!!! Im not a fan of the bugeye kits but it works good
Nice color Blue i still havent figured out what color i want mine to be.
Looks good I cant wait to get mine on the road or i guess offroad lol
Very nice project!!! and i will post mine soon
-Rooster

Thanks for the kind words. I wasn't much a fan of the bugeye when I bought it, but its kind of growing on me. This will be my daily driver/beater so I need to make sure it can stand the abuse.

Cool Build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ya i understand im hopefully building mine to be a daily driver and a weekend worrior... ya goodluck with the build and after i sell my camaro i will be working on my baja more!!! Cant Wait... good luck and keep us posted on the build
-Rooster

Any Good Updates lately... Dont want the Aircooled Vw section to die!!!
-Rooster