Hi Merlin, I’m from Perth, Western Australia and yes I own and have used the tyre pliers and yes Victoria was the state in which you were referring

Merlin you and Brad made me smile ear to ear . We rarely anymore get to play that hard in our Gen X age. Love it!

Henry said, come on in and I'll give ya the horn, lol, I really like Merlin's spirit, he just jumps inside another guys car, and proceeds to empty the glove-box onto the floor,😆, I gotta say, that's the fastest I've ever seen anyone manually breakdown a car tire,🙂👍, great video Merlin, and thanks for sharing.

Everybody needs a friend like Merlin

Desert bombing in a VW Baja. Brings back some good old memories. Good stuff brother.

Man that brings back memories of the early 70’s. Cut and rotated torsion bars tubes, extended trailing arms, outboard/portal bus reduction boxes nice engine, dual shocks etc. Beef a diff in transaxle. Done with elbow grease and tight budget. 31’s on the back no trouble with the gearing with the reduction boxes. Boxes mounted vertically so gain about 8 inches of clearance. With front done and back end honest 14-16 inches of ground clearance all the way. That thing would go just about anywhere. Embarrassed a lot of 4x4s. As a kid took my 60 year old dad bombing through the deserts of eastern Oregon. Holding on for dear life and laughing all the way. One of my best memories. May he rest in peace.

Never a dull moment with Merlin. That old baha is an amazing find. Back in the early 70s, my first car was a 1958 VW with a 36 hp. I really miss that underpowered auto. Merlin, you put the biggest smile on my face. Thanks for the enjoyable video

@mikemullay5622

7 ай бұрын

I had a 1960 Beetle. Also 36 horsepower. Could barely get out of its own way. But it was great in the snow.

Have me a set of Tyre Pliers and have used them on my outback adventures a couple of times. A bit more difficult as the tyres get bigger on 4WDs but they do the job.👍

From a previous you tube video, Merlin said he was 11 years old in 1980 (& assume born around 69). The VW in the story is from 68. My aunt had such a vehicle when I was a youngster, but I don't imagine she EVER, put the throttle down and drove with reckless abandon across the wild desert like Merlin & his buddy did. Impressive & fun, flying that beetle across open terrain. Thanks for taking us along & , putting life into that 'old' machine.

Baja runs. Some gremlins, fixable. Who knows? Some repairs, backyard Baja racing. Brad, Merlin, Jimmy, Paul.

I’m just glad that I found fabrats so that I could find Merlin’s channel.some of the coolest stuff. Underrated channel 👍👍👍

“Excuse me. You only have one brake light.” Too funny!

Henry is cool when he passes away mount those Horns on that BAJA !! I never had a doubt that you couldn't get it fired up, you are the Wizzard Merlin!!!

Merlin I never could figure out how pigs could run around with some long horn cows!! We have some long horns here in Iowa and also have some pigs running with them!!! I always thought that the long horns would shove a horn up a pig’s rear taking them out!! Henry definitely has some nice long horns!! Longer than the horns ares have for sure!!!

What a random bucket of fun. In the same week, you and cousin Paul are driving around on flat tyres. It’s like a competition between you two all the time.😂

In the late 70's my wife to be had a 72 with the auto-stick transmission while I had a fiberglass dune buggy, should've kept them both. I remember losing all 5 lugs on the buggy left rear tire once, found them and a few passersby's help lift it while I put on the tire and away, I went. It was funny when that tire passed me though. An oil change and valve adjustment will help that one.

G'day Merlin, I have had a set of tyrepliers for years they are made in Sunbury Victoria. Love the videos great to see you having fun.

Merlin the magician will get the job done as he always does.

To say that brought back memories is an under statement, when I was a teenager they were still building new VW’s, parts were a done a dozen and you could find parts in about everyone’s back yard, oh the fun we had back then

Nice tire changing tool. Looks like Speedway has a similar one, looks like I’ll have to get one for my Baja. In my opinion why spend 10K on a side by side when you can spend 3k or less on a Baja and have just as much fun and be able to work on it yourself for cheap.

@79tazman

7 ай бұрын

no kidding I would rather have a Baja bug then a side by side even though side by sides are faster the old bugs are just so much fun I always wanted to get a Baja or a Myers Manx I always thought they were cool

@derpydog1008

7 ай бұрын

And they're street legal

I had one of those back in the late 80’s. My wife and I were driving trails outside of Fairbanks AK and she said, I think I hear a funny noise. Of course I poo poo’ed her and about that time a rear wheel goes rolling by. Tore off a fender too. I got the wheel and used a lug from each other wheel and got home. I always listen now, when my wife mentions a funny noise….

Have to believe this was one loud machine, even on day one of its existence. Thanks for bringing us along. Looking forward to seeing the process it takes to get it going again.

First ever semi automatic Beetle I've ever seen. I live in Europe where they were all over. It must have been exclusively made for the US. I even didn't know that variant existed. We had Bajas and fiberglass boogies. An original would be like finding a unicorn.

Merlin, your “shade tree” mechanical ability never ceases to amaze me. From model T’s and old Packard’s to Baja Beetles and everything in between. They never stump you for long.

That Baja brings back the memory of the 70's. The roads were full of them in SoCal where I grew up. Back in 1973 when the first gas shortage came, my dad surprised my mom with a fresh built 1970 Baja Bug. He said, Honey, your gonna have to park that Caddilac for awhile! It was green with pin striping. I think my dad had Kenny Youngblood do striping. I remembetr ?

Wow, that was flashback city. We had great fun with Baja Bugs and those "frog eyed" dune buggies. Ran VW powered sand rails as well. Hard to beat them. Easy to work on and mod, and ran forever. If they got balled up you could usually just pull the innards and transplant it into something else. Looked like some work, but a blast as well.

What a ride! Everyone needs to experience that at least once. Made my day thanks. 😂

Yet another adventure with Merlin. Too funny, thanks for sharing!!!

Victoria is a state in Australia. Being a VW nut Its common to find the battery covered with a mud flap or rubber floor mat and cable tied to the seat rail. LOL Yes Merlin, tales of a miss spent youth. You have a little bit of work to do before you enter the Baja 1000.from memory 29 hours from the border to La Paz back in 69.

Way too much fun! Not the first time I've heard tha method of starting a VW "when you lost your keys" ... Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

I was in Havasu last Saturday. Not a cloud in the shy, the wind was howling and the lake was green. A very typical chili December day. My Lake Havasu had about 55,000 thousand less people and as little kids we wouldn't walk down roads but cross country everywhere. I recognize a few things like my Mom's old store in Claypools Plaza and Wheeler Park but little else. How I miss those times.

@KrisD007

7 ай бұрын

Those were the days my friend…

Sunbury Victoria. It's a suburb on the outer edge of the metro region just before it becomes rural area. It's 45min north west of Melbourne city. Also loving your content been watching ever since i become aware of you from Paul's channel, its took abit for your personality to out on camera (in my eyes) but now I reckon everyone can see its never a dull moment when Merlin is around and you can probably cheer up any1 having a bad day

Just to go out and beat on something that we don't care if it breaks like we would do when we were younger so much fun . 😂😂😅😅

Hello from Sunbury, Victoria, Australia. Awesome local company making good products.

Merlin... I think that Tyrepliers Beadbreaker would be a great addition to have onboard your wrecker. You might want to let Paul know about this item too.

@jimmyturner3715

7 ай бұрын

I'd be putting them in the Jeep or in Paul's case the FJ.

VWs are great, everything about them is so simple but so functional, we have 2 dune buggies we've used on the trails of northern Mich. for years, never been left stranded, could repair most any problem with a leatherman utility tool, it's funny jeep and beetles both products of WW 2, both fun off road vehicles.

VW bug stocks just shot up! Now everyone will want 1!😅 Looked like you boys had a great time out there. The music choice was awesome!😁

Brings back some memories!! Makes me want to get another one!! Back in the late 70s I was driving one on the same trails I ride my Can-Am on today. And it's almost impossible to roll one!!

The Baja is cool. Merlin, is there anything you can't fix when it comes to vehicles? I think not! If it has a motor, it will live again! That's a sure bet! Til next time, see you then. 😊

If you hang out with Merlin you’re going to learn something

In 1965 I bough a brand new VW Beatle stock standard. I drove it off road through the bush over sand hils, never missed a beat, until the left hand rocker cover came lose and pumped all the oil out, not fun 150 miles from home, I rang a mate he and his Dad came in a 1942 willy's Jeep and flat towed me home on a 6 foot bar. a fan from Australia

Hey Merlin HAHAHA 🤣 when Brad went past you and the music went right along with it too funny 😂 I just love hanging out with you guys ❤✌️👍💪🏻

Only Merlin could awaken memories of the good times when Margaritaville was happening and the new Baja500 race was still dominated by modified Baja Bugs. What a time that I miss dearly and my auto-drive red Baja that could do donuts in the sands of San Felipe with nobody driving. Everyone knew my bug was NOT FOR SALE. Thanks Merlin. 🙂

Gotta get one of those tire changing tools for off road adventures Can’t beat an old VW, I absolutely love them.

You, paul and chad are my favorite channels. i watch all 3 every video. thanks for all the fun. I got my first fab rats shirt this week and when i can i want to get one of yours. money is tight and i take care of my 9 YO autistic grandson and he likes to watch the shows with me.

That old baja bug deserves to be fixed up! Looks like a lot of fun.

Definitely need more videos of this off-road beast

Bucket list car! When I was 19, I tried to trade my '65 C10 for a Baja like that. The guy didn't bite, but I've wanted one ever since! That was over 30 years ago!!

Hi Merlin, the dog you said was a dingo looks to me to be part Australian Cattle dog or what is called a Blue Heeler. Great to hear you talking about Australia. Come on down you would love it. There are plenty of 4WD adventures to be had here. Thanks mate!! Jeff Sydney Australia.

@KrisD007

7 ай бұрын

Right? And if he makes videos there, it’s an expense to write off!

I followed the train tracks one day and a spike drove straight thru the tire into the wheel. Drove home thinking it would come loose but those 8 ply tires held all the way home

Music- cool- Bug is awesome- Keep living that free life.

I love a VW. I had a 1960 that kept breaking the throwout bearing. When it did we just got out, started it rolling and away we go!!

I remember my second car, a VW Beetle in the UK, I blew 3 cylinders and She still got me home 60 miles on 1 pot, That was a great video, Thank you

With a little love that’s gonna be a fun little toy👍

My first car was a 73 Baja that I pulled out of the creosote and got together. Man I miss that car. More of this please.

kudos to the editor, the music at the end was perfect.

Merlin, you are the man I would go out and see how many tires you can change in a day. Merlin all I can say is I would really go over that bug to make sure you two don't get stranded. You did say you were going to take a spare with you.

Love the Merlin content…please keep em comin

I always wanted one of those when I was a teenager. I took the body off of a '66 and ran it that way around the farm. Fun times and makes me want a VW again. I changed the tires by had and put on some worn 15" tires from my dad's ford 4x4 and flipped the rims around for a wider wheelbase.

I want you to do a VW fiberglass kit car conversion. Find an incomplete Bradley GT2 or similar and make it go. What a blast from the past. I once saved my younger colleague with a simple piece of wire after he lost the keys to his Honda on a remote job. A screwdriver jammed into the contacts of the starter solenoid and a jumper straight from the + on the battery to the coil got him home. This was before steering wheel locks. Hoods and covers also had no locks.

Great slug bug 👍. I've had several over the years all ways a blast 🤘🤠 .. Keep your eyes out for a giha front tube ... Wider with disk brakes and add some 3 inch lift spindles 👍 I put a bus transmission in my 71 made a big difference 😉. Enjoy your adventures ✌️🤠

Man alive! That tire remove kit was something I have never seen before & what a great idea as looks like it worked awesome! I wounder if one would have to go to Australia to get one. As for the VW, That bought Me back a lot of memories.

I never thought I'd see how advanced we have become as I sit leaving a #2 wondering what merlin has found yammer in what would be considered a trash can by today's standards thumb wrestling the mice for trinkets and shiny things.. I love it. Thanks gear head brother for showing the fans what's up, and what Good living is. Fun with friends and family.

@KrisD007

7 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

When your cousin sees this, he’ll definitely be in the market for one! What a great find, you two are like kids in a candy store!😂

I was just thinking about all the fun things Merlin could find in an abandoned glove box. Top of my list would be an ancient map to the Lost Dutchman Mine...

Damn I'd like to have one of those tire (tyre) kits. I'm still using the big ass sledge and tire spoons to break them down manually. That thing was pretty slick.

The music made the video! It was like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride on steroids.

man that takes me back in time in the early 70's we used to chop them up beef them up and hop them up for a ton of fun

Very interesting 🤔 content guys. That was really a lot of fun 😉. Thanks 👍 for sharing.

I have one just like it Early 68 with Swing arm suspention and later Dual Port 1600.. I built it 5 years ago and People here in Wisconsin tell Me it is the Coolist car in Town. I used to work on VWs back in the late 70's and early 80's could not beleave i found two rust free cars in Wisconsin and a garage full of parts for $600 . One years worth of Parts chasing and Some fresh tires and Paint and Custom interior and Vala INSTANT FUN! People here are spending $19,000 on Side by side 4 wheelers and i built my Baja Bug for around $2,500..

That brought back some memories. I use to have a 1968 VW with the wide eye baja kit. Had a lot of fun with it. Lol!!!

Great video. And excellent choice of music while out playing in the desert!

I know that’s not a speed demon… but that looked like a blast!

Hi Merlin, Robby Layton sent me. Enjoying your content. Peace and chicken grease. ☮️

Changed 5 tires last week. $125 saved. Change my own oil, now. Inflation has again made it worth my time. I wish all my wheels were steel.

That looked like total fun.

What a great find.!!! The Baja will make smiles for miles.!

I always visit this channel, I just hit the subscribe button, I'll share the video in my baja bug FB group 👍

@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage

7 ай бұрын

thank you we have big plans to make nice

'68 was the first year with an optional 3 speed semi-automatic transmission, so your observation may be spot on. A friend of mine had one, and it was gutless, so it is no surprise that a Baja Bug has been retro'd to a manual.

@johnboydTx

7 ай бұрын

I had 1 in a giha😢 pitiful. ✌️🤠

@patrickvanhoesen9425

7 ай бұрын

It's called an auto-stick

Hey! I have a Baja too! I used to have 2 of them. The remaining one is the support vehicle for my motor home when I'm out traveling around. We also take it to show and shines across the country.

Hey guys great fun, You might want to set the valves on it, That should be done every 6 thousand miles, or when it starts missing a little.

Here in South Africa an Namibia a lot of fishermen used these bugs to drive on the beaches to fishing spots when we still could drive on beaches, big fat tyres at the back and Bob's your uncle, never got stuck

lol, Merlin drove it liked he Stole it! 🤣 Fun video 🤙😎

I love that it had handicap plates!!!

I remember when radios where pull outs 😂 they had a handle on them and the hole radio would slide out af the sleeves. Lol man im old😂

I love these old Baja Bug‘s they are great and full of fun… good work to save one….

Love them old VW “buggies” I always wanted one, they very expensive back home (South Africa) I’m living in America now, I may have to find me one.

I have a bead breaker I used to use on ATV tires that works the same way. Except it is only for 8 inch to 12 inch wheels. It works great!

Those beed brakers are awesome

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

Another great show, VIC is short for Victoria, Australia. Also known as Mexico to the northern states

Great video, more vw baja content keep up the build

Fun fun! That’s a huge set of horns on that beast! Oklahoma and Texas are where I thought the biggest longhorns were! Maybe not!! That Baja probably needs valves adjusted! $$ doesn’t have roll cage?

What a great time! Thanks for sharing! ❤️😎

Ive got rally memories of a Baja bug. Its a wonder im still kickin😂

Love it, I want to see more

I don't think that's a love bug but it's a buck good job. You make me to Baja 25. Mile run.🤷🏽‍♂️😂👍🏽🤚🏽🤛🏽😊😎🙋🏽‍♂️🎄🎅

Looks like a good time. If I was gonna do a cross country trip I in something like this Merlin would definitely who I would want to take.

Tyrepliers. Yeah I have used them heaps on my big 4wd tyres. They work well on the trails or in the workshop. Yes I live in Victoria Australia 🇦🇺

As a Gen X myself I'm gon say Merlin being a Gen Xer represents the Generation well, the last of Multi-talented people, Tech savvy and can do things with their hands. The zoomer generation don't give us any credit. They'll never know the fun Gen X and early Millennials can have being ambidextrous to old and new tech cheers