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My new toy is a LONG way from being Meguiarized... but I couldn't resist... got the itch for a new toy. It all started about 3-4 weeks ago whilst perusing craigslist. Ran across a '56 Baja for sale locally. I thought it would be a good, cheap toy that I could have some fun with and get over my fear of tearing apart an engine. A good friend at work had Beetles and sand rails all through high school & college, and said that they were really easy to work on & parts were relatively cheap. I figured this would keep me from going out & spending another pile of money on another Mustang.
The '56 turned out to be a little TOO rough, and too highly priced. Then looked at a '70 that was in better shape, but even more expensive. As luck would have it, stumbled across my new toy 20 minutes after the ad was posted. Went to look at it last Friday, & picked it up last Sunday.
Is a '69 Baja with a '72 1600 cc dual-port engine. Has a larger, secondary oil cooler and remote oil filter, in addition to a "freeway flyer" transaxle with a Rhino case (heavy duty). Cosmetically, it's rougher than I wanted, but mechanically, it's all there and in good order. Drove it home from San Pedro to Santa Clarita, doing 70 mph all the way back without incident. Was surprised it even held 4th gear through the passes. Not bad for 50 hp. My friends are begging me to keep the cammo paint job, but it's eventually gonna be all white. Windows roll up & down, doors lock, gauges & idiot lights all work, as do headlamps, turn signals, & flashers. Thought about just buying a cleaner, stock beetle & giving it the Baja treatment, but decided not to irritate the purists. This way, I can go out & beat on it a little & upgrade things over time... Even has a sunroof (not a rag top), which I need to get working (on the list)
Can't seem to go anywhere without people smiling, laughing, & telling me how cool it is. It almost gets as much attention as my Cobra. It's a hoot!
... it even has a pedigree... has a cameo appearance in the upcoming "Fast-N-Furious 4" !!!! All in all, a fun, cheap toy that will probably do as much off-roading as I'm ready for.
The '56 turned out to be a little TOO rough, and too highly priced. Then looked at a '70 that was in better shape, but even more expensive. As luck would have it, stumbled across my new toy 20 minutes after the ad was posted. Went to look at it last Friday, & picked it up last Sunday.
Is a '69 Baja with a '72 1600 cc dual-port engine. Has a larger, secondary oil cooler and remote oil filter, in addition to a "freeway flyer" transaxle with a Rhino case (heavy duty). Cosmetically, it's rougher than I wanted, but mechanically, it's all there and in good order. Drove it home from San Pedro to Santa Clarita, doing 70 mph all the way back without incident. Was surprised it even held 4th gear through the passes. Not bad for 50 hp. My friends are begging me to keep the cammo paint job, but it's eventually gonna be all white. Windows roll up & down, doors lock, gauges & idiot lights all work, as do headlamps, turn signals, & flashers. Thought about just buying a cleaner, stock beetle & giving it the Baja treatment, but decided not to irritate the purists. This way, I can go out & beat on it a little & upgrade things over time... Even has a sunroof (not a rag top), which I need to get working (on the list)
Can't seem to go anywhere without people smiling, laughing, & telling me how cool it is. It almost gets as much attention as my Cobra. It's a hoot!
... it even has a pedigree... has a cameo appearance in the upcoming "Fast-N-Furious 4" !!!! All in all, a fun, cheap toy that will probably do as much off-roading as I'm ready for.
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