Project Myrtle: Jim’s Baja Bug Build

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by JamesLey, Sep 8, 2019.

  1. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Cheers mate. The thought of prepping the under bonnet area for top coat filled me with dread so raptor saved the day.


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  2. Good idea, I am looking forward to getting my wings back and see how the Raptor worked first hand :)
     
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  3. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    A mammoth paint day today! Got the inside of the shell painted as well as the doors and most of the baja kit. Just the rear wings and the outside of the shell to do next weekend.

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  4. Lazy Andy

    Lazy Andy Supporter

    That looks like it might be too. Ice to drive off road!! ;)
     
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  5. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    A few offroad trips should soon sort that.
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  6. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Paint reveal for Myrtle the baja bug! Ready to unleash her beige glory on the world.

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    scrooge95, mcswiggs, CollyP and 13 others like this.
  7. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I made a good start on rebuilding the baja today. All the glass reinstalled, Baja nose panel and engine cowl bolted on, and custom headliner fitted (impossible to get a decent picture of this with the lighting!).
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  8. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Touchdown! I got the shell back down on the chassis today. Both doors rehung and gapped, and rear fenders loosely bolted on so I don’t keep tripping over them.
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  9. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Further Baja assembly today. Front wings on and all wings bolted down with new beading.
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    Headlamp holes cut to accept a nice pair of Caterham headlamps. I wanted black headlamps with a sealed back and these fit the bill perfectly. I just need to weld on some brackets to the front bumper to mount them to.
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  10. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Mounts all welded to the front bumper for the headlamps and Hella spot lamps. I’ve dropped a big box of bits off at the powder coaters ready to start bolting bits back on in the New Year.
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    F_Pantos, MorkC68, Louey and 4 others like this.
  11. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Last day on the baja for this year now. I picked up a stack of bits from the powder coaters this morning so got the front bumper on and out the way.
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    I also got the last few little bolt on pieces into primer.
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    F_Pantos, paradox, MorkC68 and 2 others like this.
  12. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Is this a project as art? Or do you think you'll actually drive it around like a real car James?
    Apologies if I already asked you that but I look at it (beautiful it is) and wonder what I'd do with it other than sell it while it's perfect and makes something else.
     
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  13. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I'll definitely be using it!
    Life's too short to lock it away, and why let someone else have all the fun?
     
  14. Sooooo jealous!
    Not only of your obvious skills, but also the space you have to work in. I wish I had workshop space like that, but I don't even have a driveway or garage and haven't managed to find anywhere to rent around here :(
     
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  15. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Thanks mate. It's nice just being able to drop tools and not have to faff about. It took me an age to find this unit. I ended up just going through a list of local farmers on the yellow pages site and found this one by chance.
     
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  16. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Picked up a stack of bits from the platers last week ready for the New Year rebuild.
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  17. Are you gonna break up the single colour paintwork with some 1980s graphics? Something like this?
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  18. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I'm not sure yet. Think I'll get it all built up and see how I feel.
     
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  19. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Back on the Baja! Bonnet seal all fitted and bonnet installed. Started to build up the drivers door but had to take it apart again as the window regulator decided to break.
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    paradox, bagpus, tburton100 and 3 others like this.
  20. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Driver’s door all built up today and gapped so it closes like a charm. A few other bits reattached including the fuel filler flap, rear quarter trim panels, sun visors and glove box lid.
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    Lazy Andy, Vwsm, tburton100 and 6 others like this.

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