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Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:04 am

My daughter just picked this one up for our first father/daughter project from her great uncle. It is not yet delivered, I'm working on making room for it.

He also gave her most, if not all, of a fresh fiberglass baja body .

I'm told the engine is in pieces on the bench, so I know we have plenty of work.

I will update as much as I can as we get going.

Wed Jun 11, 2025 2:19 pm

Make sure the Baja kit is for the late style Super beetle. The curved windshield makes the hood unique. Should be a fun project. You’ll have a whale tail of a time.

Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:15 pm

This is awesome. Had I not gotten the 69 Bwajaja I’d have done a Baja of my 1974 super.

Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:21 pm

This Super Baja was recently completed and sold. It's a badass build, if you have the funds to build it. :shock:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=788317&highlight=baja

Thu Jun 12, 2025 4:44 am

67rustavenger wrote: This Super Baja was recently completed and sold. It's a badass build, if you have the funds to build it. :shock:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=788317&highlight=baja

Holy crap 67! You just *really* complicated life for Dad! That's why I never get involved in other's "family business"!!! :lol:

Thu Jun 12, 2025 7:15 am

vamram wrote: 67rustavenger wrote: This Super Baja was recently completed and sold. It's a badass build, if you have the funds to build it. :shock:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=788317&highlight=baja

Holy crap 67! You just *really* complicated life for Dad! That's why I never get involved in other's "family business"!!! :lol:

She already knows that it won't be "my" money. I will make sure it is safe for her. Any upgrades will be on her. My tools are at her disposal.

That build is amazing.

Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:46 pm

Someone loooooved that Bug! That mural hood goes right on the shop wall. :D

For all that is Boogie Woogie, make it live again 8)

Thu Jun 12, 2025 3:36 pm

Interesting ... !

Please post progress, that's gonna be KOOL.

Does that frunk mounted tach pod hit the windshield ?

Different is good ... stay safe

jinx

Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:42 am

jinx758 wrote: Interesting ... !

Please post progress, that's gonna be KOOL.

Does that frunk mounted tach pod hit the windshield ?

Different is good ... stay safe

jinx

First things first, we will have to move it from its current location to our house.

We will be cataloging the parts we have and making a game plan.

We have had a couple discussions about her vision for the car, and she may want to set up a rooftop tent at some point, so that's a hurdle we will have to tackle.

I will certainly make sure she has any information she needs as well as providing tools and time. Her little brother is looking forward to helping as well, so it will be a great bonding experience.

Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:44 am

I will be asking a ton of questions, but I will certainly check all of the sticky info and use the search feature first.

I'm excited as hell since I have been around cars my entire 42 years, but have not had the opportunity to build a VW.

Mon Jun 16, 2025 4:06 am

Went to get a few more pics of the Baja, now named after my daughter's great uncle. His childhood nickname was "Bimbo" Not sure what it meant, but that is the car's name now.

It needs ALOT of work, but it will be an absolute blast for me and my daughter.

Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:26 pm

Quote: and she may want to set up a rooftop tent at some point
You could remove that rooftop air scoop right away. In your cooler climate there's no need for using it for an extra engine oil cooler or for air intake. If it had an oil cooler already in place inside the scoop, see where the oil lines go into the engine bay, and if there was an adapter on the engine. Remove them and use an original style doghouse oil cooler base which does not use any fittings for external lines.

The huge rear spoiler is also unnecessary; but ultimately it depends on if your daughter likes the style or not.

Have you inspected the car to view the rust on the body and chassis? Beetles from your region tend to have lots of rust.

Can your daughter already drive a manual transmission car?

Thu Jun 19, 2025 3:56 am

Rome wrote: Quote: and she may want to set up a rooftop tent at some point
You could remove that rooftop air scoop right away. In your cooler climate there's no need for using it for an extra engine oil cooler or for air intake. If it had an oil cooler already in place inside the scoop, see where the oil lines go into the engine bay, and if there was an adapter on the engine. Remove them and use an original style doghouse oil cooler base which does not use any fittings for external lines.

The huge rear spoiler is also unnecessary; but ultimately it depends on if your daughter likes the style or not.

Have you inspected the car to view the rust on the body and chassis? Beetles from your region tend to have lots of rust.

Can your daughter already drive a manual transmission car?

So far, she likes the spoiler. Her little brother and I are calling it the whale tail.

She has already changed her mind on the rooftop camping, and since it has "so much frunk space" she will be using a primitive tent when she wants to camp.

I will dive deep into the rust issues when its in my garage, I'm fully prepared for teaching her to weld.

She will be learning to drive manual in the wife's jeep until she understands friction points and such.

This is what the younger generation NEEDS. My daughter is a rare kid right now since she has the appreciation for things that actually last. At 16, she does very little social media, listens to my old records, and begged me to find her a vintage car like this.

Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:44 pm

Welcome to the world of VWs. I am in the process of building a 73 Super Beetle Baha myself, actually have been working on it off and on for about 10 years but life has gotten in the way frequently. As mentioned rust in our part of the country (I'm in NW PA) is the hardest part. As you know snow & salt takes it's toll. I didn't know how to weld when I started so it's been a long learning curve. My chassis is all rebuilt and I think I finally have all the rust repairs done. I'm planning to drop the body on for a little fab work before I pull it back off for painting. Hoping to use next winter for reassembly.
A couple thoughts for you, there is a Samba forum HBB Off Road that has info on Baha Bugs. Be aware though Super Beetles as Bahas aren't well thought of there. The MacPherson Strut suspension won't take the beating that the torsion front suspension on standard beetles do. I'm not worried about that as mine won't see a lot of off road use, mostly a daily driver with an occasional trail ride.
Also there are a couple of upcoming events that should be fairly close to you that you might want to check out to meet other VW folk and see what others have/are building. The first is JIm's Custom VW's Buckeye German Jubilee in Columbiana, OH on Saturday July 12, 2025. There is a car show, swap meet and discounts on merchandise in his shop. Next on Saturday August 30th is the VW Bug Infestation in Geneva on the lake. A great place for a car show.
If you go to either of the shows, PM me and maybe we can meet up and talk 73 Super Bahas. Good luck with your project, I'll be following.

Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:52 am

We found a German show on Saturday and my daughter got a few ideas and some inspiration.

I took a trip to the car's current location and picked up most of the spare body parts and a few other smalls.

Making room in the garage this week to get it home and get started on it.

I'm probably going to make this a build thread once we get started so we can document as much as possible.

Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:12 am

Awesome! Good adventure ahead.

Wed Jul 09, 2025 10:40 am

Took a trip to the car and found the original hood. Still has the old plate on it, will likely be a wall hanger with the frunk lid.

Engine is on a bench and I believe all parts are present except the car at my place now.

Fri Jul 18, 2025 10:16 am

Adding so more pictures. "Bimbo" is home now. We hauled it last night.

The front passenger brake is locked up right now, but that will be attended to on Sunday. We should be able to fit it in the garage soon.

After getting it mobile, the next order of business will be to get the disassembly started. The floors look like we will need to start there.

I didn't realize how short it is next to a modern truck.

Vintage KC lites, anyone?

Fri Jul 18, 2025 10:44 am

Looks like your rescue has found its "forever home". lol

Some of it looks a little crusty, just saw what state you're in.
Anything can be fixed.

Never seen those side window louvers -
cool factor x20 !

Get it safe
Get it to stop
Get it running
Make it pretty (optional)
Drive it everywhere

A little bit done every so often & BAM, satisfaction.
(They're never really done/finished).
Build it how you/she wants it.

Subscribed, good luck ... stay safe

jinx

Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:23 pm

Cool Louvers!