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Post by indydog on Jan 15, 2023 0:04:45 GMT -5
When Kyle posted his build of the Tamiya Beetle, I commented that a "Baja" conversion would be cool. I found one at Texas 3D Customs. So I bought one! tx3dcustoms.com/Charles Estes is the owner and it's a very nice kit. He did a great job hiding all the printing supports. Only downside is that there are no instructions or measurements to make the cuts. ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20001s.jpg) ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20002s.jpg) It takes a crazy mind and a calm hand to hack up a perfectly good Revell Bug kit! Front: ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20003s.jpg) ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20004s.jpg) Rear: ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20005s.jpg) ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20006s.jpg) How it looks now. It will take a bit of filling and sanding to get it ready for paint. I ended up modifying the rear end because I am changing the engine. I'll post pics of that when I can.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Jan 15, 2023 0:44:51 GMT -5
Ahhh. I’m glad you’re doing this!! Thought it was a great idea but didn’t have another beetle kit. Any wait to see this.
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Post by Gary Davis on Jan 15, 2023 1:48:27 GMT -5
This is really looking cool!
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Post by indydog on Jan 29, 2023 6:49:59 GMT -5
A bit of progress. I had to modify the rear of the chassis to fit the modified body. I also had to modify the engine to match the chassis. ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20010s.jpg) I also bought 3D Customs Porsche flat 4 as I wanted the webers for my build. I ended up using the carbs, fan belt, distributor and will use the exhaust. I'll have to install the other carb after the engine is in. ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20012s.jpg) Here are some "before" and "after" shots so you can see the body mods. Yes, I have 2 kits as I intend to build a stock version too. ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20009s.jpg) ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20011s.jpg) I had to do further mods to the back to clear the Webers but I think it will be worth it.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Jan 29, 2023 9:28:44 GMT -5
Looking really good!
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Post by Gary Davis on Jan 29, 2023 11:51:14 GMT -5
This is really looking cool, Mark. I like the mods you've made.
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 6:27:34 GMT -5
More progress. Got the engine mounted in the chassis: ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20013s.jpg) I had to section the front and rear pushbars as they were too narrow for the revell bug: ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20014s.jpg)
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 6:34:10 GMT -5
Disaster! I made a rookie mistake and applied Lacquer paint over Enamel. In the process of stripping the paint, the Wesleys attacked the resin! It warped the hood and cracked the fenders! ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20015s.jpg) I saved the body the best i could. Here you can just see the crack in the rear fender. ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20017s.jpg)
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 6:36:36 GMT -5
I also had to section the exhaust from the Porsche engine: ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20021s.jpg) Not perfect, but it looks ok: ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20019s.jpg)
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 6:40:10 GMT -5
The finished product... warts and all. I used the carbs, dist, fan belt and exhaust from the 3D Customs Porsche 4 cyl. engine. The tires and rims are from the spares box. ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20022s.jpg) ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20023s.jpg) ![](http://www.scalemodelingworld.com/marks%20files/baja%20bug/baja%20024s.jpg)
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Post by alterrenner on Feb 26, 2023 7:55:08 GMT -5
I know the Revell kit is a 1968, so it would be a beetle (not a super beetle), but my question is does the kit have a detailed front suspension-like one that could be used to build a Formula V?
--Frank
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Post by alterrenner on Feb 26, 2023 7:59:26 GMT -5
Oh, by the way, nice save on the catastrophe--enjoying the build.
--Frank
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 18:12:59 GMT -5
I know the Revell kit is a 1968, so it would be a beetle (not a super beetle), but my question is does the kit have a detailed front suspension-like one that could be used to build a Formula V? --Frank Afraid not. It's got a very simple, basic front suspension. I've got another kit. Give me a couple of days and I'll take some photos and post them.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Feb 26, 2023 18:40:41 GMT -5
Nice result!! And nice save. That’s turned out really cool!!
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Post by arcticwolf on Feb 26, 2023 19:52:44 GMT -5
I know the Revell kit is a 1968, so it would be a beetle (not a super beetle), but my question is does the kit have a detailed front suspension-like one that could be used to build a Formula V? --Frank Afraid not. It's got a very simple, basic front suspension. I've got another kit. Give me a couple of days and I'll take some photos and post them. You might get what you want for a F/V by using the Tamiya kit:
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 20:01:26 GMT -5
I would definitely go with the Tamiya kit. Looks much more detailed then the Revell kit.
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Post by indydog on Feb 26, 2023 20:04:51 GMT -5
Nice result!! And nice save. That’s turned out really cool!! Glad you like it Kyle. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Post by arcticwolf on Feb 26, 2023 20:17:24 GMT -5
It turned out great Mark. I've been toying with building a Beetle street rod - I have a leftover 2 litre Porsche twin cam from a 904 that's crying for a home! Beetle kits seem to be a bit overpriced so far........I bought a '63 in driveable condition for $50.00 once, I mean the 1:1 car! What inflation?
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Post by indydog on Feb 27, 2023 7:37:48 GMT -5
It turned out great Mark. I've been toying with building a Beetle street rod - I have a leftover 2 litre Porsche twin cam from a 904 that's crying for a home! Beetle kits seem to be a bit overpriced so far........I bought a '63 in driveable condition for $50.00 once, I mean the 1:1 car! What inflation? 3D Customs makes a wide body kit that might work with a street rod. tx3dcustoms.com/products/vw-beetle-wide-bodyI once bought a 71 for the cost of a new front beam.
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Post by arcticwolf on Feb 27, 2023 11:48:18 GMT -5
It turned out great Mark. I've been toying with building a Beetle street rod - I have a leftover 2 litre Porsche twin cam from a 904 that's crying for a home! Beetle kits seem to be a bit overpriced so far........I bought a '63 in driveable condition for $50.00 once, I mean the 1:1 car! What inflation? 3D Customs makes a wide body kit that might work with a street rod. tx3dcustoms.com/products/vw-beetle-wide-bodyI once bought a 71 for the cost of a new front beam. That guy in Texas makes good stuff.
Maybe this instead, I always wanted a real one of these:
There's a guy somewhere around Bobcaygeon has one with a turbo Subaru stuffed in the back of it.
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Post by indydog on Feb 27, 2023 19:15:35 GMT -5
Gotta love a Ghia!
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Post by Chris on Feb 28, 2023 10:56:42 GMT -5
First things first, the Baja Bug came out really Cool looking, Yellow is the right color , no doubt! Some where I have a bug I hacked up to make a Baja Bug, no clue where it went. I did start and painted a rare Meyers Manx based dune buggy called a Sabre Cat or something...It will get finished ,and last that Ghia is Cool!! with a Turbo Subaru engine.. Sorry I just drooled on my keyboard...LoL !!! Good Stuff Mark....Chris
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