Off-Road Ready: 1970 Volkswagen Beetle Baja Bug
Volkswagen designed the original Beetle as utilitarian transport for the masses. The aim was to create an affordable car that could comfortably transport the entire family. It gained a new following during the Flower Power era, but many recognize the Baja Bug as the ultimate example of the Beetle. This 1970 example is not just attractive, because it has an engine that should cope with almost anything. The seller includes the flag and an Oregon Off-Road Permit, meaning it is ready for a life of adventure with a new owner behind the wheel.
Finding a place to start with this Beetle is hard because there is a lot to digest with this classic. The seller confirms it is a Southern Californian car that has avoided the dreaded rust issues that sometimes afflict these classics. The current Blue paint isn’t from Volkswagen’s 1970 color palette, but since so much has changed with this Beetle, a non-standard color is a minor detail. It carries the obligatory modifications that characterize a Baja Bug, including the cut fenders, bigger wheels, raised ride height, exposed engine, and tubular bumpers. These changes are designed to be purely practical, allowing the vehicle to cope admirably in an off-road setting. The overall condition is impressive, with the paint shining nicely, the panels arrow straight, and the glass in good order. The Beetle has no cosmetic needs or shortcomings and is ready for whatever the buyer throws at it.
The seller combined practicality with comfort inside this Beetle, and the buyer will welcome that approach. Front seat occupants will sink into body-hugging buckets, strapped firmly into place with three-point harnesses. The dash houses an array of gauges, with a CD player providing tunes on the move. The fire extinguisher allows the car to comply with competition regulations, and the sports wheel will make maneuvering in tight locations more precise. The overall condition is easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic, with no upholstery or paint issues. It won’t win many show prizes, but it also won’t attract much criticism for its presentation.
Everything to this point has been an entree, and it is time to move on to the main course. This Beetle would have originally featured a 1,585cc flat-four that produced 57hp and 82 ft/lbs of torque. However, much has changed since it rolled off the line. That engine is well in its past, with its former location occupied by a later 1,915cc Dual-Port powerplant. The motor inhales deeply through a pair of 2-barrel carburetors, while the spent gases exit via a Tri-mil bobcat exhaust. Upgrades like a Holley fuel pump mean the motor won’t run short of gas, with the front disc brakes allowing it to stop on a dime. Raised ride height and independent rear suspension will allow it to cope with rough terrain, and the seller recently fitted new tires. This appears to be a complete package that should operate competently in most circumstances. It is in excellent mechanical health, with the seller indicating that the winning bidder could utilize this Bug as a daily driver. That guarantees that the commute to work would be anything but boring!
Some classics create barely a ripple when they hit the market, while others attract intense interest. This 1970 VW Beetle Baja Bug falls into the latter category, receiving an impressive forty-two bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Eugene, Oregon. This has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $9,200. Throw the 125 people watching the auction into the equation, and there is no doubt that plenty of enthusiasts wish to take this beauty home. Are you one of those people?
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Comments
Should it not have a roll bar?
You do need a roll cage for sanctioned race events. If you are just running around the sand dunes in the Nevada desert like we did the top works.
One of my favourite vehicles for the north part of the island in GTA V.
Every town seemed to have one of these running around, circa the late 70’s. Up here in the midwest, it was because the fenders rotted off!
One of my friends had one of these in High School. It was one of those kits from J.C. Whitney. White with big tires on white spoke wheels which were popular in the late ’70s. Fun little rig.
These were pretty common at a point in time. I had a few friends with them, this one is much nicer than you’d typically see. Whoever did the work actually thought it out and paid attention to details. This is something that will likely be inexpensive and actually deserve attention at a coffee and cars.
Steve R
Cool, cool, cool, I haven’t seen a “Baga”[sic] ( instead of Baha) Bug in years. Leave it to Barny Finds, I suppose. Baja bugs were very popular, it was the “anti-dune buggy”, of sorts. It could do anything a dune buggy could do, except in all weather. Bugs were dime a dozen, a wonderful invention called the reciprocating saw( aka Sawzall) came on the scene, in an afternoon, everybody could have a Baja Bug. Like dune buggies, ones imagination was the limit, from some pretty basic backyard Baja Bugs, to some really elaborate kits, like shown here. The basic kit was a couple hundred bucks, but didn’t include much. Still a lot cheaper, less work, and more versatile than a dune buggy. The Baja Bug was for me, one of the coolest renditions of the Bug.
Had a 65 Baja with the 1835 twin port. And the rear wheels were massive, it was common to fit used airplane tyres. made 33’s look small.
From experience, put in a cage and good harness. Looks like a ball and rolls like a ball. Lots of fun.
I Iove this but I always wonder how you keep the electrics, distributor etc, dry in rain ..they are completely exposed to the elements.Love to hear a response to that becauseI would love this but would drive it in all conditions..
typical to SoCal, there was no rain (well, now we have climate emergency so changed) when developed.
Much more usuable than Meyers-style. The big boar/short stroke oversq motor oem was perfect for sno conditions, off rd climbs, etc. Baja it (some type of ‘frame tied’ cage required) or just the custom look to something like these, no matter. Many enjoy. BUT whatever U do… DIY !
I’d take it back to stock.
👍
My first job was at garage that did only VWs and I bought something similar off the owner. The guys there all raced Chenoweth chassied Beetles so alot of this looks familar, but with some nice modern touches. If I was closer to Oregon I’d be interested as it looks well done.
I bought one of these a few years ago, kind of by accident. I wanted the M&H Racemaster slicks mounted on 9.5 X 15 Torque Thrusts on the rear, but seller wouldn’t separate so I bought it as a unit and put a set of aluminum slots on it. The M&Hs were way out of character for the car and it looks much better now. Fun car to just bomb around in.
All combinations of Baja Bug were taken but I was able to get this plate. Bah Humbug.
Sold for $10,300.
Inexpensive way to get into a fun car that looks to have been well thought out and executed.
Steve R
Me and my Dad built mine in 79 got my license 80,was a 68 wide eye kit Hugger Orange,yella tube bumpers, with E.T Tricks,11- 15 Dayton super stags on rear,I could go on and on…
Used to be inexpensive