Baja (British car brand)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baja was a British car brand.

Brand history

Patrick Sumner and Roger Penfold founded the Speed ​​Buggys company in the 1960s . The company was based on a farm in Chichester . They initially sold VW buggies from GP and Manta . In 1970 the production of automobiles and kits began . The brand name was Baja . In April 1971 Richard Park of Rodding Scene took over the production from the same location. By 1973 he produced eight copies. It wasn't until 1977 that Alan Warren of Audy Marine continued from Hayling Island . His company moved to Milton Keynes in 1978 . Special Car Components continued production from 1979 to 1981. GT Moldings from Portslade (near Brighton and Hove ) produced until 1987. Between 1987 and 1989, Budget Buggies from Horsham wanted to produce more vehicles, but according to a source this did not happen. Production ended in 1989 at the latest. A total of about 60 copies were made.

vehicles

The first model was the Baja GT . This was a VW buggy that was similar to GP's buggies . The basis was a shortened chassis from the VW Beetle . At least one vehicle received a built-in engine from the Chevrolet Corvair with 2300 cm³ displacement and 160 hp . The body was made of one piece. Initially, the body cost £ 59 and a full kit cost £ 185. From 1977 to 1979 the price of a kit was £ 180.55 including VAT .

From 1985 to 1987 the Baja Sahara added to the range. Its wheelbase was longer and, at 240 cm, corresponded to the original. About five or exactly eight copies were made of this.

literature

  • Steve Hole: AZ of Kit Cars. The definitive encyclopaedia of the UK's kit-car industry since 1949 . Haynes Publishing, Sparkford 2012, ISBN 978-1-84425-677-8 , pp. 33 and 222 (English).
  • James Hale: Dune Buggy Handbook. The A – Z of VW-based buggies since 1964 . Veloce Publishing, Dorchester 2013, ISBN 978-1-84584-378-6 , pp. 32-33 (English).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Steve Hole: AZ of Kit Cars. The definitive encyclopaedia of the UK's kit-car industry since 1949 . Haynes Publishing, Sparkford 2012, ISBN 978-1-84425-677-8 , pp. 33 and 222 (English).
  2. ↑ a b c James Hale: Dune Buggy Handbook. The A – Z of VW-based buggies since 1964 . Veloce Publishing, Dorchester 2013, ISBN 978-1-84584-378-6 , pp. 32-33 (English).