69 baja

[Raj]

I bought this car about 8 years ago when I was 24. I noticed it outside Garrett junkyard in bethpage as I was driving passed. After some negoiation with the junkie...... $50 got me a rolling shell. Turns out someone replaced the pans and channels.... but thne gave up on this nice solid 69. After I got it home I noticed it was crushed both front and rear from the forklifts at the yard. What todo witha sold car hit front and rear..... hmmmm.... baja.

I bought a used kit off TS for a hun. Some sanding and glasss work.... time to get ready for paint.


By raj332, shot with Canon PowerShot SD850 IS at 2009-01-31

[Raj]

the intent at the time was to build a solid baja driver, so I did the bodywork

[Raj]

epoxy primer... and a lot of flat wet block sanding....







base coat interior

color is 1999 bright amber pearl metallic found on ford explorer of that year.

[Raj]

base coat exterior

( shoot in my mom's garage)

[Raj]

add some clear







tranny install

+

[Raj]

hey... you never know

Score class 11, 8 pt cage

[Raj]

ok... lets fast forward.... many VW, a girlfreind that became wife, my first house at age 25 by myself, 3 different employers , developing my career, got married....... and this poor car sat outdside with no cover for 8+ yrs.

Its time to bring her back. Today I dragged her out of the rest spot with the thing.







She looked ok, a few rust spot coming through the paint as expected. Rear wheel was frozen... not fun. Tommorow is supposed to be 40, lets see if I can slap a motor in and get her going.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

IDK why but I am SO excited to see this car finally run. When I first saw it, I had stopped to Raj's house with a friend who wanted a beach car, we looked at the pieces of a buggy he had (Tim wound up with an old Jeep CJ) Nonetheless, this baja sat, alone on the oposing side of the house up against the fence, was frequented by some spare parts, and recently the top to the thing. But never any attention of its own. I think Bajas are cool... Imma wrestle one away from Ian lol

Raj, we want vids of it running.

[Big_kid]

It's a labor of love, Raj, and sometimes it takes a while. Id rather see it take 10 years to be done properly than someone hack together a deathtrap in a weekend.

I'm in the same boat as you on my Glitterbug. I bought it in Jan/Feb2002. We had 2 full time paychecks and 2 kids at the time. We now have 1 full time income, 1 recently added part time income, and 3 kids. That makes progress PAINFULLY slow, and it's a very effective motivation killer. Keep us updated on the progress bro! It's things like this that keep me motivated.

[Raj]

thnaks guys... The ou eather hasnt been too great too it, but it still looks good. I cant think of it as a show car... its another 5 footer that I will enjoy. The plus side of this car is that the wife likes it, bc it looks ' mean'. When shes happy, I'm happy.

I'll keep you posted as to the progress.

[Glenn A]

Looks like Fun Raj . It's great that you have such a nice selection and can just pull on off the shelf ! . If you need a street beat ragtop for it give Me a shout .

[Raj]

I spent some on the baja today bw doing the molding and enjoying the warm weather

first order of business... i gotta represent!

[Raj]

douched her off after being outside for 8 years, and slapped a dp in it. I'll fire her up once i throw in a starter

[Raj]

I noticed the DS door had a few rot holes in there. It was kinda weird as I thought she was solid when I shot her back in the day.







Old school dub guys know what happened here. Back in the day, I wanted to try out the cal look glass, so I cut out the vent window support and slapped in the glass. Looked neato. One thing about these glass kits is that rubber never seals like it should from the factory. It allows the rain water ti funnel into the door itself. thats ok, since the factory knew this would happen and installed the plastic sheet bw the door and panel. They also installed drains holes in the door's bottom. Butt.... if your holes get clogged you get the water being trapped. Water WILL find its way out..... unfortunately, it will rust through the door until it gets out; Live and learn...... like all good women..... clean your holes.

Pass door had good drainage.



Drivers side was clogged



Do yourself a flavor... if you have your door panel off, get your shop vac in there and clean out all old broken glass, sand paper, dirty rubbers, door panel clips, door hardware etc out of the bottom of the door. It could rot out your door from the inside. See my pics.

[vwbri]

Nice baja! I really like it, looks like a beast! Looks good with the black wheels.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Nice sticker Raj!

One day, when I see you guys next, lol... Ill bring the roll of decals. Maybe Ill leave them at GT for Glenn to bring. I cant bail out of my Wed night class... Lab is tough to make up.

[Raj]

Nice baja! I really like it, looks like a beast! Looks good with the black wheels.

Thanks Bri.

I had white wagon wheels on it back in the day ( see pics) , but I traded them to some dude for wide 5's for the thing. I had these rims and tires as back up. I'm a big 'black rim' guy. I dont know if I want to powder these gloss black or leave them all shitty lookin in flat. Also... one of the front tires are shot, so I need a new pair. The current size is way too big as it rubs the fender at a stand still. I'll def get small, skinnier front, but I dont know if I want to trims the front fender just yet. I like the prerunner 12 inches of travel sytle baja but realistically..... thats not needed nor can even be excersized locally. If I come across them, ok. but if not, i think Shes gonna sit as is and be a driver.

[Glenn A]

I've got a front set of door panels if you need them . There black and good enough for a daily .

[Raj]

I've got a front set of door panels if you need them . There black and good enough for a daily .

thanks... i'll take them. I have rears that are decnt but the fronts are soft and torn

[Glenn A]

So many choices now Raj . What are you taking to etown ? I say Baja ! I know someone with a streetbeat ragtop that would look sweet in there !

[Raj]

LOL.... lets see when the time comes. I do love making sparks on the belt parkway tho.

Honestly... I'd consider the street beat if you are really bored.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Do it Raj... This guy cant get rid of the frigging thing, and itd be kinda cool. Its like pity sex... Just do it to help the guy out.

[Glenn A]

If you want it it's yours for what I paid for it . It's not in My way and I haven't listed it anywhere but here . The ad probably got erased though .

[ObnoxiousBlue]

The ad probably got erased though .

Burn.

[mannys66]

If you want it it's yours for what I paid for it . It's not in My way and I haven't listed it anywhere but here . The ad probably got erased though .

whatever do you mean?