TheSamba.com :: View topic - converting baja back to standard beetle??

Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:24 pm

What all is involved(usually) in changing a baja back to a standard beeetle, is it just body panels? or is it alot more involved? would it be worth it if i found one real cheap but i dont want a baja?

Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:48 pm

You will have to find replacents and weld on the front and rear clips. A new hood and rear engine cover. If it has been raised you will need to reset the rear and front torsion bars.
In my opinion it is a lot of work.
Can you post a pic of the vehicle?

Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:41 pm

The hardest part would be if the rear is sawed off. If its chea enough, maybe buy it and hunt down a good body or work out a trade with someone building a baja.

Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:49 am

jco69 wrote: What all is involved(usually) in changing a baja back to a standard beeetle, is it just body panels? or is it alot more involved? would it be worth it if i found one real cheap but i dont want a baja?

Just because target car (Baja) is cheap doesn't mean it's a viable project..... It will take big dollars to put body panels back together and make it presentable, then you will probably discover you have invested more dollars into project than its actual market value...

If you are going to keep it, that may be ok... IF you are doing this for a "turn around" project... Its probably not practical....

I have a poor to fair BAJA sitting on my property (at least it runs) and to make it decent it will take probably $2000 to $3000 investment and it is questionable whether its worth that much when done.....

Think about it long and hard before you jump in and what your goal is... IF you don't want a BAJA don't buy one.....Keep looking for standard beetle to fix up if that is your goal......

Dale

Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:23 am

it isn't like unhacked beetles are rare. yet.

the result would not be a standard beetle. it would be a hacked and welded frankenbeetle.

if it's a '38 - '60, it would be a transgendered freak. looks good if you don't lift the hood....

68 or later, why bother.

Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:14 am

This is something of a twist on the usual "Should I cut it into a Baja?" thread, isn't it?

:lol:

I say, NO, good Bajas are rare and standard beetles are a dime a dozen! Especially if it's an oval...those oval Bajas are super rare, it would be ashame to ruin one by turning it into a cookie cutter standard.

:wink:

Now that I've had my fun I'll be going.

Kyle

Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:17 am

i didn't know what went into making a baja, a simple " it wouldn't be worth it" would have done. thanks

Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:43 am

jco69 wrote: i didn't know what went into making a baja, a simple " it wouldn't be worth it" would have done. thanks

Its against forum rules to give the simple obvious answer........\

Just kidding......

Dale

Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:35 pm

http://image.vwtrendsweb.com/f/8841478/0112vwt_01z...t_View.jpg

this is a car that I helped build at the shop that was once cut like a baja

Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:25 pm

STOICH wrote: http://image.vwtrendsweb.com/f/8841478/0112vwt_01zoom+1964_Volkswagen_Beetle+Green_Convertible_Passenger_Side_Front_View.jpg

this is a car that I helped build at the shop that was once cut like a baja

Nice.