VW Baja Bus

[VTECFOUR]

Building a potential Holeshot Winter Nationals entry based on the old Monogram VW Baja Bus body. Spotted at the annual spring car model show n' sale, it was missing its two-piece side door/ramp along with the rear valence and both A-pillars were broken off and missing. At least the one-piece tinted window assembly was there.







Coincidentally, 3DRon, our club's 3D printing whiz was attending the show so I asked, "Could you scan the good side and reproduce a door?" With a quick look at the body, he responded resoundingly, "No problem".

So, here we are with the 3D printed one-piece filler with the body detail faithfully reproduced.







A big job nicely taken care of.

More body repair then painting and underpinning with a simple ladder chassis.

Dan

[VTECFOUR]

Body repairs are coming along.

Stripped old decals, made up A pillars and rear valence from styrene and filled in some holes.







Chassis-wise going inline using either a 1/2" or 3/4" motor bracket.

Dan

[FC47]

Nice job bringing that along Dan, looking forward to seeing it done..

[VTECFOUR]

Cut and shaped the ladder chassis pieces and gathered other parts.

- .055" piano wire for main rails and front axle uprights
- .064" brass strip for guide tongue and cross members
- 1/8" brass tube for front axle
- 5/32" brass tube for guide post
- JK inline offset motor pod, 3/4" wide
- rear axle oilites, 1/8" x 1/4"
- Cox crown gear for 1/8" axles (27 and 28 tooth to be tried)
- rear aluminum rims (unknown origin) with urethane tires and 1/8" axle
- front RS Slot RSW002 15 x 7 rims with PG tires and 3/32" axle
- resin wheel inserts replicating Cragar five-spokes



Mocked the wheels in position and played with ride height for this desired stance.



Body prep continues and chassis assembly next.

Dan

[VTECFOUR]

Chassis's rolling.



Pretty much my standard inline build so it'll go around corners too.

This is the stance once I figure out the body mounting.



Dan

[TuscoTodd]

Definitely a cool build and great way to salvage a damaged model body!
The 3D printed replacement door is a slick addition as well!
:text-bravo:

[chappyman66]

Ok...first of all..... scanning and printing the other side.....SUPER cool. Yeah, it's mostly flat....but still..... awesome.

Second.... what a great build. Long and low, the Racing Bus. Sweet!

[VTECFOUR]

Body's mounted with a slightly raked stance.





Chin spoiler needed some filing to just clear the track.



Affixed with single posts front and back, sitting in Sintra plastic crossmembers.



Dan

[Fast Co.]

That thing is killer Dan!

[noddaz]

Heck yeah! Nice save there. And the 3D printed replacement panel is fantastic!

Scott

[VTECFOUR]

Chassis's powered though not the proxy spec motor for Expo class (Scale Auto 25K S can). Will get one but in the meantime, installed an Avant Slot Hurricane 25k boxer motor with 3:1 gearing (9t pinion, 27T crown).









With the proper motor, I'll play with gear ratios for the winter proxy's scale 1/8th mile (27.5 feet) dragstrip. Only track in my area with a long straightaway has an 18 footer. That'll have to do for testing.

Close to spraying primer on the body.

Dan

[VTECFOUR]

Sprayed on Tamiya fine white primer.







A few spots need fixing but good on the whole.

Final coat will be back to orange with pearl.

Dan

[TuscoTodd]

That is turning out GREAT!!!
Bravo!!

[CJR]

Been watching this from the start. Great build!

[chappyman66]

Orange with pearl....how cool. Looks great!