1968 Volkswagen Baja Bug Off Road

1968 VW Baja Bug

 SoCal Survivor

Killer Patina & Stance

You are looking at a rock-solid native CALIFORNIA Baja Bug. Please read the description thoroughly and don't hesitate to ask questions. If you don't have your poop in a group, please move on. 

History

I was fortunate to purchase this Baja from the estate of an elderly gentleman who owned it since 1998. It had been siting since he stopped driving in 2008. The car is titled in my name and currently registered. It was recently mechanically refurbished and is now back on the road. I have a folder full of receipts from previous owners as well as mine. Documents on hand go back to 1995, and the paper trail and wear patterns on the car support chassis mileage to be correct at just over 120K. 

California Cool

This Baja sports an authentic late '70s SoCal Baja surf safari vibe and perfect patina. It's all there: cool period paint-stripes, matching Baja 7-piece kit, correct bumpers, period spoke-wheels, old blue California plates, vintage Pioneer stereo, custom curated door panels, vintage Hella fog lamps and killer stance. 

Mechanical Engine

The car runs strong. The engine is the highly sought-after German AE case dual-port 1600. It has all correct German tin and the dog-house cooler, plus insulated industrial engine tin protecting the pushrod tubes. The engine was pulled, refreshed and re-sealed. It has a deep sump pan. Also new (less than 2000 miles) 34 pic IMPI carb, Petronics distributor, fuel pump, clutch. The engine was cleaned up and detailed when refreshed, and seal up tight - so it's not an oily mess. Most of the mechanical repair was performed by well- known local air-cooled specialist.

*** Engine is a 1600 not a 1840. The item discription says 1840 which is incorrect. Sorry, eBay would not let me change it.

Random

I like to keep German cars German. I've made an effort to buy authentic German bits wherever possible. Cool details: The coil is a Petronics Blaster, but it's been painted and detailed to look like a Bosch. Also note gold accents to firing order reliefs on tins. Check out the insulated industrial tins with spring retention. This was not thrown together.

Transaxle

Car has the swing arm transaxle (‘68 was the final year) with new mount, gear oil and boots. It goes through all the gears nicely, and I can finesse a downshift into second and 1st by matching revs. Clutch is new and works smooth.

Tires, Brakes & Suspension

Tires are new Goodyear 205/75/15 front and 235/75/15 rear, less than 1000 miles — still have the nubs. The brakes have been completely gone through with new drums, shoes, soft lines, wheel cylinders, etc. Shocks are older than dirt, but the car rides smooth with the larger aspect-ratio tires. Front end feels tight, car tracks straight, stance is killer. 

Fuel

The fuel system was completely replaced from front to back, new tank, hard fuel line, fuel pump and carb. The fuel filter is under the tank – where it's supposed to be. The fuel sender is new, but it needs a gauge. I would install a ‘67 gauge next to the speedo, like the ‘67 has. 

Body/Interior

This is a very solid car. The floor pan is rock-solid and still has the factory asphalt sound-deadening. The battery area has a hole that was patched. The heater channels are rust-free and so are the jack points on the pan. I have a new carpet kit for the car, but did not install it because I wanted to show off the solid floors. The door panels are custom plywood, steamed and bent to door contour with period surf images, stained and sealed. There are also two pieces of a vintage Cal Custom wood dash trim kit. Headliner is original and in OK shape. Seat belts are racing lap-belts.  

Options worth considering

When this Baja kit was installed, the front and rear sheet-metal was not cut back very far (see photos). It would not be difficult to convert this back to a steel body car if someone wanted to. The original steering wheel, side trim, vent wings, side mirror, antenna, and rear/side chrome window trim are still intact. It also has the cooler '67 style taillights. Additionally, the solid pan, drivetrain, swing-axle rear and ball-joint front also make this chassis very desirable for a Porsche 356 kit car body swap. I was considering doing a Tomika Blaster clone (google it) -- lots of options. 

Other

Doors open and close nicely, window roll up & down, wiring under dash is not all hosed up. The lights and blinkers work; the horn, gas gauge, wipers and fog lights do not. The radio works but is not hooked up and has a blown channel. Also included with the car are: the heater boxes, weather stripping for doors, and windows, a camber compensator for the swing-axle (highly recommended you install this immediately or do limit straps). Also, I have a tow bar if you are picking up and want to tow it yourself. I will not stuff the bar in the car to ship. 

Purchase

$500 deposit due via PayPal within 24 hours of auction close. Balance of funds due within 7 business days via cash or bank-to-bank wire transfer. Vehicle is being sold as is, where is. Inspections are welcome and encouraged before purchase. I can store the car and provide safekeeping for up to three weeks to facilitate pickup. I am retired and can coordinate with your shipper. Zip code for shipping is 91941. Your car will be kept in my garage until all funds have cleared my bank. This car is not for your teenage son/daughter. This is a super fun toy, and it's great for cruising the beach, or blasting down to the grocery store or coffee shop. This build was my 10th VW and a labor of love, but I can't keep everything and I need space for the next project

U tube video of walk around & driving, search: 68 VW Baja Bug, CA Patina. Let me know if you can't find.

I don't like vague listings, so I hope you've enjoyed this data download. Please read the ad twice and ask questions. 

Thanks for looking,

Bob

Also published at eBay.com

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