Glickenhaus Baja Boot hits the (off)road | Update

650hp V8 off-roader emulates original Baja legend and will compete in the 2019 Baja 1000

We've already seen one modern take on a Baja legend this month, Ford debuting its fantastic Bronco R prototype at SEMA. Not to be outdone, however, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has now released new photos of its own reincarnation of a Baja classic.

The 'Boot' - a road-legal, 650hp dune racer - joins other noteworthy SGC projects such as the SCG 003 in bringing competition-proven performance to both road and track. Having gone head to head with the Bronco in period - with none other than Steve McQueen at the wheel - the 60's icon is back, with the Boot vs Bronco rivalry set to be renewed when both cars enter the world-famous off-road race once again. Check out the full details, and the excellent new snaps, below.

Photo credit: Boyd Jaynes

Previous story - 16.08.2019

After over a year and a half of work, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has completed its first Baja Boot; the 650hp V8 buggy standing as a modern interpretation of the legendary original. It borrows both technical concepts and design from Vic Hickey’s 1968 creation, which is famous for winning the first Baja 500 with Guy Jones and stuntman Bud Ekins at the wheel - not to mention Steve McQueen’s enthusiasm for the project.

SCG’s creation is more than just a 21st century remake, though, it’s designed to be an actual competition vehicle, built to compete in the Baja 1000, which takes place each year on the Baja California Peninsula in north-western Mexico. Using a Chevrolet LT4 6.2-litre motor placed behind the passenger compartment, the two-door machine sports features familiar from the sixties icon like a high exhaust exit and exposed tube front end – although admittedly the whole car is much larger.

Road versions, of which SCG aims to build at least five two-doors this year before then launching a four-door version, will have four-wheel independent suspension allowing 19 inches of travel, and come complete with chunky 37-inch diameter tyres. But the American firm will also offer a Baja package to emulate its competition car, with different coilovers and shocks to enable an enhanced 22 inches of travel, six-pot Wilwood calipers and 355mm discs, as well as even more extreme off-road rubber.

To prove its new machine’s worth, SCG will drive its two-door Boot to and then compete in this year’s Baja event, which takes place on November 19-24th. Company boss James Glickenhaus intends to then drive the car back to San Diego, something he has previously told PH would replicate how racers competed back in the sixties. SCG is also working on a hypercar entry for the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hour race, which it intends to drive to and from the race as well.