Photos by: D Period Tek
My name is Kevin Krug, im a certified golf club technician. Love to do pretty much anything with my friends, have a very diverse group of friends who are into at of different things, but what we all seem to have in common is some type of car enthusiasm. No matter the make. Currently a college student still, and when im not in class or working, im usually doing something with my friends.
How long have you owned this car?
This is only my second car Ive owned. my very first car was an 03 mitsubishi Lancer, that i purchases when i was 17, about a year later i traded that in for my 01 Gti. and its been on going ever sense. that was in late 06′
Is there anything unique about the history of this car?
Almost never purchased it, and almost sold it a month after buying it
What other cars did you consider?
Actually the gti was a fall back, i originally was going to buy a blue mitsubishi Evo 9, but insurance cost for a 18yr old at the time was beyond retarded. and about a month after buying the gti, i had nearly sold it to buy a blue audi tt 225. but i really wouldn’t have had enough money left over to do what i wanted. so here i am today with my bucket.
What was your objective with this car?
Really had no set goals, or guidelines for my car, just did what i wanted one thing at a time, and loved my car more and more with each modification.
What tuning style would you describe this car as?
I try and keep it as clean and simple as i possibly can. nothing really that jumps of the page at someone, but when looking closer, there are a lot of small details that make my car worth while.
Who helped you build this car?
Honnestly Ive done 99% of the work myself. im just a hands on kind of person, and i think if you let a shop do it or someone else, it kind of takes away of the feeling of ownership and accomplishment. but when ever i needed an extra set of hands, i know i could count on a few close friends,Brian Crook, Jesse Arellano, Chris Zoilkowski, and Shawn Ramey@ Ramey Built.
What makes your car special?
Its my own car, i drive it everyday, and its what i like.
What is your favorite part/feature/function?
Never really chose ONE specific thing thats my favorite, Ive modded the motor enough so it moves and is fun to drive every once and a while, and its eye catching when it goes down the street. but having a decent static stance on wheels that no one really runs on a volkswagen would have to be one of my most favorite things about my car.
Who or what inspired the direction of modifications on this car?
Seeing a lot of other peoples cars, picking out things i liked, but changing things enough so its not exactly what everyone else does, taking different styles from other car niches, and coming up with everything Ive done so far.
What don’t you like about this car?
Thats its a Volkswagen, haha, more specifically some of the things volkswagen engineered into these cars and useless parts they incorporated into them, and how hard it is to replace very simple items at times. Also it seems i break oil pans a little too often.
What was your biggest obstacle in building this car?
No huge problems, just most aftermarket items where more difficult than they should have been to install
On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the outcome of this project?
They isn’t close to being done, and probably will never be done as long as i own it. theres always something more that can be done. but so far id give it a 8, just because im happy with how things are turning out, but a lot more changes need to be made.
What would you do to the car if money were no object?
Thats a hard question to answer, so many different outcomes are possible. one of two things come to mind. one being the typical high quality show car (air ride, crazy body work and paint, all custom interior, shaved engine bay/motor swap, etc, etc) OR it would more than likely be turned into a race car, that is still shaw car quality. meaning it wouls still preform and function like a race car should, but would look like i could still place at a show.
Who has been your biggest critic of this project?
Myself, Ive never really been much to take into consideration other peoples opinions. i like talking about things my very close friends, but in the end Ive made all the choices on my car, and im very particular about how things turn out. and im honestly not very easily please when it comes to my own car.
Who gets to drive this car?
I think only 3 other people have driven my car only a handful of times. not because im protective about my car, but the opportunity just never arrises. but i do trust my friends to drive it, because they drive the same quality cars.
If your car had a motto, what would it be?
“clean and simple”
If you had to name your car, what would you name it?
Some innocent white girl name, some thing that says “oh she looks like a lady out on the town, but a complete whore in the bedroom”. my kinda girl
What one word best describes your car?
Simple
Vehicle Information:
2001 VW GTI GLS
the car started out bone stock, with just a neuspeed. stared with simple things:
B&M short sifter
ECS strut bar
Neuspeed trans mount short shifter
amber side markers
front Euro bumper
4 motion front valance
boost&air to fuel gauges
upgraded center console without the arm rest, and with cup holders
Koni coilovers
BBS RGRs 18×8.5
car was like that for a while, then continued on to include/change:
ECS cold air intake
steal braided brake lines
slotted fornt rotors
VF dog bone mount
N75 race valve
pancake pipe replacement
pwr haus TIP
eurojet pcv hose system
42 DD 3″ turbo back, catless
custom o2 sensor spacer
was chipped by OCT Tuning, company based out of europe, not many dealers in the states, aggressive and reliable
then sold the wheels in 07′ and got SCHMIDT TH Lines, 17×8.5 et 25 17×9.5 et 20
constructed a false floor to delete the back seats
sold the conies and bought Vmaxx to go lower
notched the frame and removed the sway bar
European OEM stubby mirrors
After than the car went through another phase of upgrades/changes:
its GLS so it came with black leater interior, but swapped those out for 20th RECAROS,
Shaved roof (antenna delete)
Helix oem rep Headlights with 5k HIDS
ALL RED golf tails (done right, the reverse light is still clear)
20th rear brakes
Mason Tech great plates
Then upgraded the TH lips to 3″ up front and 4″ in the back, specs were 17×9.5 et 20, 17×10.5 et 16
added -5 of camber in the back to make the wheels work.
the latest stage of the car includes:
modified non binding axel
the headliner has all been recovered in light brown suede
i restitched the bolsters of the recaros to match the suede, also stitched the brake cover
re made the shift boot out of suede
and recovered the false floor in suede
all black headliner pieces
the battery has been relocated to the spare tire well
engine bay has been cleaned up some
fully shaved and polished valve cover
polished intake manifold
custom rear strut bar, suede wrapped
SOLD the big TH lines, and bought AC SCHNITZER RENN SPORT TYPE 1′s. the european 3 piece versions, not the JDM knock offs
17×9 et 33 17×10 et33 2″ and 2 1/2″ lips, gold bolts, and silver faces they are 5×120 (bmw)
i run 15mm ADAPTEC adapters, to make the final offset 18 all the way around
also have ac schnitzel lave stem caps to match
also only running -3 degrees of camber in the back now.