Murz's baja

[MURZ]

Ok, I know it is not a buggy....yet

Picked this up..68 baja California car..no rust. The paint was beat, and the motor did not want to run. I hauled it home, stuck my engine in it and started buffing it out. The paint looked good in places, but not good enough. So, I buffed it with the sander The plans are to tuck some 275/60's under the rear fenders, run 165's up front with weld wheels. the paint will be the new FJ Cruiser VOODOO blue. Researching sliding ragtops as well. I am gonna sticky a wicked nasty 2276 (185hp)in the rear and add discs up front. The interior will sport narrow suspension seats and Autometer gauges like I had on the old buggy. I hope to have it finished for October. And just think how close it will be from being a buggy one day....hmmmm







after some Duragloss loving






filled mirror hole




test look on weld wheels...

[BrianB]

Looking good Murz So when you are ready to build another Buggy you just remove that body and put a Long bodied Manx on it? The Round Up is coming soon hint,hint.

[Texasbuggys]

Looking good man!

[staggerwing]

Where/How do you guys find this stuff?! You just see something sitting in a driveway and walk up to the door and knock? Anyway, I like it! Always wanted one, never got one, maybe some day.

[Faron]

Whats going on with this?

[blackthree4me]

OK heres the bar
we have looked at this one as a standard to build to
although I have heard its cost was well into 6 figures

http://p197.ezboard.com/fazbusasfrm32.s ... D=69.topic

[MURZ]

OK heres the bar
we have looked at this one as a standard to build to
although I have heard its cost was well into 6 figures

http://p197.ezboard.com/fazbusasfrm32.s ... D=69.topic

Pffft.....


Ok here is an update.

Picked up new front fenders and cap to save some body work time.......

Got my chevy drums in and test fitted a 295/50-15 on the rear. The offset was good(4.5") but the tire is too short and sticks out too much. If the car were lowered and I was running a shorter tire up front maybe... I think I am gonna run a 255/70 or a 275/60 to give me some height and freeway gearing. On the front I have ordered chevy drilled discs and will run 165's. Hopefully just the tires will give it some rake. I want to be able to run this thing at 75mph all day long. The 2276 will be up to the task..








The big update is the roof......I have none!!!

[BrianB]

That Ragtop looks great Murz. What brand did you end up with? What you goin to do with the 295's?

[MURZ]

I bought a "brand new second hand" street beat customs ragtop. The 295's were junk...dry rotted. Bought some 275/60-15's yesterday.....

more updates...

A little more sanding. Test fitted the new baja kit. It still needs tons of adjustment to be perfect, but I slotted the mounting holes for adjustment. .....And I have fallen in love with this formula 27 filler. It sets up quick and can be sanded in less than 25 minutes. It sands sooooo nice too. NICE!!! ( just don't wait too long)

Think I am going to use those plastic baja headlight buckets and plastic H4 headlamps for reduced weight on the front fenders.


And the little engine that could is safe and being loved just down the street. ....which means...EXTRA FUNDAGE!!!

[Faron]

Looking Good, still shooting for a October finish?

[MURZ]

Yes, I pushing for October 3rd which is the first day of Cruisin the Coast in Biloxi. The bodywork is about 95% done. I just need about one more "full day" to wrap it up. On a side note I have been getting estimates of 1500-2000 bucks just to spray the car......just tack rag, and spray the car!!!! I flat out told one dude today that although I admire his talent he is on CRACK if he thinks I will pay anyone 650/hr to spray a VW. I guess I will just backyard this baby. What happened to the 300-500 dollar "I'll spray it for you days"????

[staggerwing]

Good for you Murz. I hope your comment spreads. Seems there's a lot of eye-poking going on these days!

[MURZ]

Tuesday, i found a guy that will spray it for 250. He is a professional painter that will do it for cash(I guess non crack smoker ) Also ordered my autometer gauges. Gonna use indoor/outdoor carpet from Lowes and have a binding sewed on it for a clean look. Still shooting for October 3rd as the deadline......

mounted tires and rims...15x5 165's and 15x8's with 275/60's

[BrianB]

Looking good Murz. Does that sliding rag sit flush on top? It looks like it is not all the way down. I guess you are waiting on paint before you finish the install

[MURZ]

Brian, the top needs some loving to be made to lay flat. Some suggest that I install it under the roof for a cleaner look, but I am really afraid that the metal to fiberglass bond will crack over time. The plan is to build up the edges of the frame with glass(only need about 1/8" on each corner) and trim it to fit the contours of the roof perfectly. The pics make it look bad, but it is really close when you push the frame down. I will then paint the frame black and glue it in from the top. Will it look factory??? Nope, but I wont have cracking issues.
Hopefully this will be a really fun car that I can knock around in. I also am planning a homebrewed AC system, sourcing components from a smaller compact car. The evaporator will reside in the rear package tray area and hide under speaker grilles. Clean........Simple....Hidden

So, imagine this. 170-180hp 2276 with tall gearing, AC, one piece windows, ragtop, disc brakes, killer stereo and all for about 4-5k??? I will take it!!!

Who knows, the lil red vert may be put up for adoption.......

Started laying out the carpet....15 bucks from Home depot!!! Plan is to bind it with some marine vinyl or similar for a finished look. Just like on the Red Baron...