Lifted off-road cars are all the rage these days, with companies like Gemballa and Porsche itself creating homages to the Dakar-winning 959. Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus’ has a similar idea with its upcoming SCG 008 Baja Buggy (AKA the “Mini Boot“), but it looks to ape VW instead – except when it comes to price.
The vehicle takes its styling from the brand’s 004 sports car but gives it the Mad Max treatment, with giant offroad tires, crash bars, external exhaust pipes, and spare wheels sticking out of the trunk.
New renderings of the vehicle also show its close-to-production state, which features a number of changes from the images we’ve seen so far. The headlights have been changed from the aerodynamic units of the SCG 004 to a more bug-eyed look, which harkens back to the Meyers Manx, the popular beach buggy from the 1960s. There are also smaller fog lights that flank the front bash guard, a slightly revised rear section, and the elimination of a fin behind the front wheels.
SCG posted on its Facebook page that the Baja Buggy would start at $100,000, and that’s without any options selected. Considering that we’ve seen photos with and without the exterior roll bar, we’re going to assume that’s one of the available options. The front light pods are also likely extra, as is the front winch.
Glickenhaus has already proved that its vehicles are very capable on the race track, as well as in the dirt, having won its class in the Baja 1000 with the Boot, something that Ford failed to do with its Bronco R. The rubber match is expected with the new, V8-powered, Bronco DR later this year.
For the next Baja 1000 off-road challenge, the New York-based builder will bring the Baja Buggy to prove its worthiness, and it will be great to see a sports car shape atop those giant tires taking on thoroughbred machines.
While one question is answered, there are still many that have been asked, such as “what engine does it have?” and we still don’t know. Obviously, the engine sits somewhere behind the driver due to the exhaust pipes, but we won’t know for sure until hopefully the next announcement.
Orders will be taken soon, and Jimmy is going to want $1,000 upfront, while production is set to start later in 2022.
The Original SCG 008 “Mini Boot” Rendering. Image Via SCG.
