Baja Beetle
- crazydave
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Baja Beetle
I had thought about doing a baja bug for a while, but I was thinking of a classic one, with the motor hangin' out the back, and the stinger stinkin' up in the air, but then I realized after doing my baja pickup, it didn't have to be a baja bug so to speak, it would be cool to just bring the classic baja bug influence to the new Beetle.
So here's what' I've done.
It's on a Thunder Charger chassis. FET modded. Wheels, and off road tires from a Motorworks car.
The body got severely hacked. I sanded back and rounded off the front. Trimmed the bottom edge way up, and into a classic baja bug shape. Did some severe trimming to the back and sides. Chopped the top off. Made and interior with a dash and seats from a Dub City car, glued to pieces of thin microsizer packaging.
I did the paint to match the colors of my baja pickup, but with a water splash theme. I brushed in some dark blue shadows, to give the splashes depth. Came out pretty good. It was perfect until I clear coated. Layed it a little too heavy on the passenger side. Melted some of the blue, and it ran into the crevice, but still I'm pretty happy with it.
I did front and rear guards with the plastic coated colored paper clips. I also did a roll cage and some nerf bars for the sides. A little tip for anybody that wants to try making these paper clip guards/roll cages. If you clear coat after you mount it with super glue. the clear coat will make the white haze from the super glue go away. that lets you get away with a little more glue.
So here it is...





So here's what' I've done.
It's on a Thunder Charger chassis. FET modded. Wheels, and off road tires from a Motorworks car.
The body got severely hacked. I sanded back and rounded off the front. Trimmed the bottom edge way up, and into a classic baja bug shape. Did some severe trimming to the back and sides. Chopped the top off. Made and interior with a dash and seats from a Dub City car, glued to pieces of thin microsizer packaging.
I did the paint to match the colors of my baja pickup, but with a water splash theme. I brushed in some dark blue shadows, to give the splashes depth. Came out pretty good. It was perfect until I clear coated. Layed it a little too heavy on the passenger side. Melted some of the blue, and it ran into the crevice, but still I'm pretty happy with it.
I did front and rear guards with the plastic coated colored paper clips. I also did a roll cage and some nerf bars for the sides. A little tip for anybody that wants to try making these paper clip guards/roll cages. If you clear coat after you mount it with super glue. the clear coat will make the white haze from the super glue go away. that lets you get away with a little more glue.
So here it is...





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holy shit that thing needs to be on the beach running over david hasselhoff and crashing through a smoothie stand!
excellent work crazydave, I love it
Dear Life Cereal, Where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast and delicious? Who do you think you are? By now you may have guessed I'm speaking ironically and have nothing but good things to say about what you do. Life cereal do not change a thing.
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Thanks, glad you guys like it.
I have to tell you guys though, part of the reason I decided against a classic baja bug, is because the rear mounted engine would have created body mounting issues, and this was just easier. It's really kinda surprising how easy it is to bring the classic bug influences to the new Beetle. I think alot of it has to do with chopping that roof. It's too much like a perfect dome. Lacks the character of the original Beetle.

I have to tell you guys though, part of the reason I decided against a classic baja bug, is because the rear mounted engine would have created body mounting issues, and this was just easier. It's really kinda surprising how easy it is to bring the classic bug influences to the new Beetle. I think alot of it has to do with chopping that roof. It's too much like a perfect dome. Lacks the character of the original Beetle.
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I heard that dave.
I've wanted to do the rear mount motor style beetle for a long time and could never figure out how exactly to pull it off either
now I know, if you can't either, then it really is impossible.
in this case, the easier approach I'm sure is the best approach for looks
you pulled it off nicely
I've wanted to do the rear mount motor style beetle for a long time and could never figure out how exactly to pull it off either
now I know, if you can't either, then it really is impossible.
in this case, the easier approach I'm sure is the best approach for looks
you pulled it off nicely
Dear Life Cereal, Where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast and delicious? Who do you think you are? By now you may have guessed I'm speaking ironically and have nothing but good things to say about what you do. Life cereal do not change a thing.
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Both the car and truck are fandidlytastic... you should try a shot at a beater/hooptie style..
You've mastered this end of the spectrum, but I don't think I've seen you do the classic junker.
Just an opinion... Either way, your cars turn out great.
silla
You've mastered this end of the spectrum, but I don't think I've seen you do the classic junker.
Just an opinion... Either way, your cars turn out great.
silla

payaso...... 
"Imagination is everything. It's the preview to lifes coming attractions" -Albert Einstein

"Imagination is everything. It's the preview to lifes coming attractions" -Albert Einstein