The Baja Boot Buggy

THE BAJA 1000:
'PLAYGROUND OF THE DEVIL.'

The Baja Boot buggy was built using NASA space technology in just 28 days for the Baja 1000.

Steve Mcqueen and the Baja Boot Buggy

"RACING IS LIFE. ANYTHING BEFORE OR AFTER IS JUST WAITING" - Steven Mcqeen

Steve McQueen

Steve was obsessed with speed, on 2 and 4 wheels. The legendary chase with a Mustang GT in his first film Bullitt was the starting point for his true passion: making his own movie about car racing. That became Le Mans. Steve signed up for the real race and there was no script, because everything had to be based on reality. Despite the dizzying budget of 60 million dollars for that time, the film turned out not to be a success.

Too fast, too young

Steve McQueen lived life at top speed and throughout his career he always decided for himself what was good or bad for him. In that, he showed a striking resemblance to James Dean, and he also followed in his footsteps when it came to leading roles, his status as a cool person, and driving a Porsche. The big difference was that Steve did not die behind the wheel of his Porsche, but from the consequences of asbestos-related cancer. Steve was only 50 years old.

The Baja 1000

The Baja 1000 is a 1000 mile run across the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, ominously known as The Devils Playground. Steve had a special relationship with this race: from 1967 to 1975 he was there. In 1969 Steve, together with navigator Harold Daigh, took part in this hellish rally with a special Baja Boot buggy. After the start the race went according to plan and they were running at the front. In fast sections they launched the buggy 50 to 70 feet into the air, which demanded a lot from the machinery. After 237 miles it was all over when the transmission blew.

The Baja Boot buggy

The four wheel drive Baja Boot buggy was built by Vic Hickey. Vic was one of General Motors best engineers. GM, however, had a no racing policy at the time, so the Baja Boot buggy was built in just 28 days under cover of darkness in Hurst, Michigan. They constructed a steel tube frame with independent suspension and installed a 450 hp Chevrolet V8 engine backwards to facilitate the unique 4x4 system. After testing during the Stardust 7-11 rally, the car was ready for the Baja 1000.