TheSamba.com :: View topic - My Deserter GT is Done!

Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:23 am

Hey guys,

Well, after just over a year, my Deserter GT project is done - less a roll bar that is. Since I don't see many Deserter's or Bounty Hunter styled buggys on here, I thought I'd post mine up. During the build I did post several questions on items I had some challenges with and appreciate the help I received on this forum, you guys are great.

Let me know what you guys think...

Here are the pics...

Regards,
Tom

Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:15 pm

Clean and simple with just enough shiny bits, very nice. The interior treatment is unique which is what buggies are all about. I'm not usually a fan of the Mustang taillights but they fit right in. Nice job, I'd be proud to roll it!

Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:43 pm

Clean and simple - looks great! What's the do-dad right above the start button?

Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:24 pm

The do-dad looks like a James Bond radar screen. I usually put mine next to the oil slick button. The buggy looks great.

Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:31 pm

Very good job! I like the Wolfrace wheels. Excellent choice \:D/

Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:35 pm

Whoa :!: I'm really liken it :)

Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:29 pm

SWEEEEEEEEEET!!!

Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:02 pm

Tom, that came out great. Wish I had made it up there to see it going together. Those seats are classic. I also like the tail lights on there. Let me know if you're passing through Santa Cruz... It'd be great to get two deserters out on the road together. Nice job, man.

Mark

Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:43 pm

Damn I want one!! If you ever need someone to take care of it for you while you're away or something, just let me know!!

I normally don't car for 'stang tail lights, but on that body they fit the space flawlessly. As for the interior, the Route 66 material is awesome but I would have opted for a black or dark vinyl. Just me...

Great work!

Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:29 am

WOW! I like that buggy ! Its tight .......Nice job

Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:52 am

Very nice job, looks great! With that nice shiney paint wait for an overcast day get that thing out in the open and take some pictures, its tough to see the buggy because of the shine!! :shock:

As in your closing, Id' say your polar oppisites.

MEANIRISHMOFO wrote:
The whole Patina thing has gone way too far. A beat up piece of shit does not have patina. It's a beat up piece of shit. That car is a good base for a restoration, Not a coat of wax.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:30 am

Very nice buggy. I like that you used the 'street rod' headlights, with built in turn signals. I have plans to use them in my buggy too. (cleans off the top of the fenders :oP )

Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:04 am

Looks good, I have always liked the Deserter/Bounty Hunter buggies.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:10 am

Tom,

I like the headlight and signal light combo a lot. If you don't mind me asking a couple questions: 1) where did you get them and 2) do you know whether they will fit in a Dietz headlight bucket (sorry I don't know the size - these are the original buckets that came with the Manx kit)?

By the way, you have a beautiful buggy!

Thanks,
Bud

Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:20 pm

Awesome buggy. =P~ Black and chrome simply cannot be beaten in my opinion! I love the Bounty hunter but have always been terrified of being able to find a windshield for it that didn't cost more than the buggy.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:03 pm

Thanks for the positive comments guys, I appreciate it!

Heidelberg, Yes, I know what you mean. One of the big things in looking for either a Deserter GT or a Bounty Hunter is to make sure it has its windshield posts and hopefully a good windshield. My windshield is not perfect but its good enough. Windshields can be found new, but they're about 500.00 shipped - ouch! :shock:

to madmanx, Thanks. I thought a long time about the headlights. I did not want to cut any holes in the body that I felt I didn't have to do. These lights fit the bill. Although I was a bit disappointed that the 'turn signal' is nothing more than a single filament bulb. So, its either a parking light or a turnsignal. I cured that. I replaced the crappy bulb with a 5 LED bulb so it would not burn out as quickly. Then since I had to rewire the entire car, while wiring the park/turn signal lights, I installed a kit from Watson's streetworks that allows single LED bulbs to function as a dual filament bulb.
I now have parking and turn signals in the headlights. Oh, and the mirrors have LED turn indicators in them as well. They are normal size headlights (7" I think) and I watched Ebay until I found a vendor selling them for less than any other vendors. The brand is Autoloc.

Mark - Endoboy - Thanks! We're definitly going to have to get these two Deserters together sometime / somewhere. Maybe a 'West Coast Deserter' meet like they had on the east coast last year!?

Letterman - the do-dad above the starter button is a indicator light cluster. I wanted something different instead of several bulbs mounted to my dash. This is a warning light, turn signal indicator cluster from a Triumph Stag. They're kind of tough to find. Looks like a mini - BRM wheel in person. I thought it would be a cool little touch. 8)

Lo cash John, Ok, you have first pick on the 'babysitting' rights! Thanks!

Regards,
Tom

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:54 pm

I love those seats!

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:59 pm

Flat4Tom wrote: Mark - Endoboy - Thanks! We're definitly going to have to get these two Deserters together sometime / somewhere. Maybe a 'West Coast Deserter' meet like they had on the east coast last year!?

Regards,
Tom

That sounds good. We better do it some time soon, cause I'm thinking hard about emigrating back to the east coast next year (after 26 years in Santa Cruz). I gotta do my Baja run before then, too. :(

Mark

Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:06 pm

Looks like I lost my bet about the James Bond radar screen.