TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:25 pm

I'm sure this has been asked but unfortunately I am unable to locate any info as search and sort features seem to be a bit light.

I am looking to see if anyone has attempted to build a Baja Kit for the New Beetles, water-cooled, 1997 and up?

I am not a fan of the New Style Beetle for only one reason as they are not rear engine cars, rear wheel drive. Not sure how the balance and traction would be in an Off-road Situation. I supposed if built right it would ne negligible.

Which brings me to my next question...

Has anyone moved the engine to the rear of the New Beetles? and or added an additional engine/drivetrain to the rear for a two engine driven car? I used to do a double engine in the very old Honda Civics of the seventies flavor. Double Engine, all wheel drive, crazy speed. This might be another Topic?

Does the New VW Beetle have a separate pan and body such as the old style? As I investigate further it appears to be typical unibody. I was wondering if the New Style Beetle Body could be removed and placed on another chassis?

Thanks in advance
J

Thu Dec 25, 2014 6:33 pm

you might try a google image search of new baja bug or new beetle baja and there are some that have the appearance of a new beetle (probably the body is the only thing based on the new beetle and look like they would cost a lot to build) another thread on the subject would be http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37346 and a nice expensive looking one can be found http://www.newbeetlepr.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3115

Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:58 pm

Hey DuaneL, Perfect, thanks,,, this is what I have been looking around for. I come across the newer style VW Beetles all the time in auctions for next to nothing sometimes. If I could make them into something different, like a proper VW Beetle Baja with the engine in the back I would do it. Just need to get my head around what's out there. Do a little research.

Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:44 am

http://newbeetle.org/forums/technical-modifications/47481-baja-new-beetle.html

Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:54 am

I think the cars built with 911 and 912 bodies are cooler!

Casey

Sat Jan 03, 2015 2:14 am

DuaneL wrote:
...
http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37346 ... http://www.newbeetlepr.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3115

Both of those links show pictures of "Black Beauty" which has been featured in Hot VWs.

It was built by Crumco where my son works. The last time I saw it, it was wearing a metallic green body shell. It had been flipped in the desert at about 100mph and the body shell you see in those photos was wadded up like a used piece of aluminum foil.

It is mid engined with a Honda V6 of about 400hp. There is NO VW chassis, drive train or suspension under the stock steel body shell. It's A-Arm front and parallel pivot trailing arm rear, the suspension is the same as is found on Unlimited Class 1 desert race cars in SCORE and BITD racing. The front clip and rear fenders are carbon fiber, made to Crumco's molds. He also has molds for the rest of the body shell.

The 2nd black one shown with the red checks on the sides

is also a Crumco with a beam front suspension and is rear engined with a VW TDi engine. It's getting raced in Australia (note the RHD).

Rick Crumb used to prep and drive the New Beetle bodied car owned by Howard Seeley and won a great many SCORE Class 5 races in it.

Check out their Facebook page and adds in Samba.