After not having a VW for over 10 years I've decided its time to get back into it and start a baja bug project. I'm just saying hi for now, I'll do some searching b4 I ask any questions.
Goals will be a cheap reliable baja that won't get stuck in the sand on the occasional pismo beach trips, and just be a fun street cruiser the rest of the time.
At some point I might go a little more radical with a homebuilt turbo system, I had a homemade setup on my miata and I think it will be much easier to package the system in a baja.

Welcome to the board! I'm a newbie here myself. I'm really enjoying the helpful folks on this site- hopefully you will too.

Good luck with your project- keep us posted on your progress, and ask as many questions as you like. I know I do.

Welcom! Ask away!! We don't scold newbies here, we exist to help.

Thanks, I'm still going thru the site and a lot of my questions have been answered, so far the only one I'm left with is:
To drive in the sand (like a beach) are paddle tires a must? And will a stock 1600 w/stock clutch be able to turn those paddles in the sand?

Must... no, but they are perfered. Because Bajas are light you can get away with deflating your tires and keeping up your momentum. It's kind of hard on the car and you wont go very fast. If you plan on going to the sand a lot then save your pennies and get paddles.

As for the engine, yes it will go, but not super fast. There is a reason why rails are going to mid mounted V8s (the need for speed).

You need to ask yourself, "Self, what do I want from a Baja?" Then you need to see what's in the check book and be realalistic with your expectations.

when my uncle had my '59 baja in up in Oregon. He ran it at the dunes with paddles just fine!

he also found some older 55 series tires (wide and short). then proceeded to HOT KNIFE em diaginal. they worked great too.

others run the dunes in deflated mud/ snow tires ....

My neighbor uses these on his baja, says they work great........
www.chircoestore.com/c...e58c570400

B.T.W.,,,welcome to the site. Don't fret being a nub. We ALL were at one time or another.
<<<<<<once a nub

ok sand paddles it is, or that tire from the url posted above, I don't want to worry about momentum the whole time, it reminds me too much of when I had to patrol in mud with a 2wd toyota truck that had all season tires. I'm not worried about going real fast at this point, just being able to go without breaking too much.
I can always add speed later once it starts to feel slow to me

find yourself a nice 2165 with turbo. that will wheel you through sand like a fist full of $20's at a hooker convention

plus you will need a bus trans......

YEA! WELCOME! DON,T TAKE IT PERSONAL BUT I YELL ALOT!!

jamesr6168 wrote:

YEA! WELCOME! DON,T TAKE IT PERSONAL BUT I YELL ALOT!!

shhhhh....^ he's hard of hearing

DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?????

Well after looking for a beat up rusty baja candidate I found a 74 standard beetle that so far is too nice and I can't bring myself to cut it!
It needs one fender so I think I will fix it and cruise it with a 4sale sign and after it goes start the search for a better baja project.
Details (and maybe some questions):
1974 with an engine that was rebuilt under 4000k miles ago.
Has a weird electrical connector on the firewall, maybe it was once fuel injected?
Currently has a 34pict carb and an 009 distributor with a nice flat spot when driving, I think this is due to the carb not being a good match for this dist, any carb suggestions that are budget minded? Runs great when past initial flatspot.
Any sliding fabric sunroof kits for this car?
Will older style fenders bolt right up and fit right (not counting bumper holes)?
Are all the 70s big taillight rear fenders the same?
It runs good and cruises the freeway pretty nice.
Is there a good junkyard way to get disc brakes or power brakes?
Ok it was more question than detail