1967 Chevrolet Baja Boot Buggy

A popular form of off-road racing has always been desert or Baja-style racing. Most desert races are organized on government recreational land and have tracks that can travel over fifty miles. During the early 1960s, off-road racing had little organization, a lack of sponsorship, and no factory support. In March of 1962, Dave Ekins and Bill Robertson drove two stock Honda CL72 250 motorcycles nearly 1,000 miles from Tijuana down the Baja Peninsula to La Paz. The journey attracted much attention, and the accomplishment generated good 'PR.' Sensing the potential, manufacturers and sponsors soon got on board.

By the mid-1960s, there was enough support for an organized event down the Mexican peninsula. Ed Pearlman established a sanctioning body, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA), and an off-road race called the Mexican 1000 (more popularly known as the Baja 1000), was scheduled for October 31, 1967.

The vast expanse, grueling conditions, and extreme climate stirred the souls of passionate racers. One such racer was Vic Hickey. He was born in 1919 and served in World War II. Later, he opened a repair shop in California where he worked on hot rods, dragsters, and even an Indianapolis race car. His talents and ambition captured the attention of GM's Ed Cole. Soon, he was working for GM on a number of projects. By the 1960s, he had earned a reputation as an inventor and as a producer of off-road equipment.

With backing from Hurst Shifters, Hickey, along with the help of Drino Miller and Al Napp, began work on a technically advanced, mid-engined off-road vehicle unlike anything that had ever been built before. The result was the 'Boot,' now known as the 'Boot 1.' It had a heavy steel tubular frame and was powered by a Chevrolet Camaro V8 engine that was placed mid-ship, directly behind the driver. It was fitted with a GM 400 Hydramatic transmission that allowed the driver to concentrate on steering rather than shifting. It was given a Corvette differential with Positraction, a Dana 18 transfer case, close-ratio power steering, and torsion bar suspension. At all four corners were large Goodyear 'Baja Special' tires that measured 12.4 by 16 by 36 inches in diameter. The vehicle was kept in the driver's control by four-wheel disc brakes.

The legendary actor Steve McQueen was also an avid racer of motorcycles and cars. After the first Baja 1000, McQueen and Bud Ekins (who had been involved with the first Baja 1000), saw the potential of the Baja Boots. Solar Plastics, Steve McQueen's factory which produced accessories for dune buggies and motorcycles, eventually purchased both Boots from Vic Hickey.

On June 13th of 1968, both Baja Boots appeared in Las Vegas for the start of the Stardust 711 event. On the side and nose were McQueen's Solar Plastic Engineering logo. During the race, one of the car's driven by McQueen was forced to retire prematurely due to losing one of its wheels. The team tried again in the third running of the Baja 1000 in October of 1969, failing to finish due to a small transmission part. Teething problems are expected in any sport; once they were resolved, the Baja Boots enjoyed success until the mid-1970s. Ekins drove a boot to overall victory in the first 'Baja 500' in 1969.

There were two Baja Boots constructed, specially for the Baja 1000. The second example, the 'Boot 2', was built in the Hickey shop in California. It was originally equipped with an Oldsmobile engine. The vehicle is currently in a private collection in Europe.

Boot 1 has undergone a four year, ground up restoration by Ryan Falconer Racing Engines and has been brought back to its 1968 configuration, with proper Hurst decals and the correct red paint. The bucket seats are 'Baja Bucket' seats, designed and patented by Steve McQueen to help prevent injuries in case of a roll over.

The Baja Boots were landmarks in off-road race history.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011