When searching for a car, some people choose solely based on how a car looks, some choose based on fuel economy or how easy it is to work on, and then there are those who just take the car from a girlfriend so she doesn’t wreck or destroy it. As good as the car looks, it probably wouldn’t have reached this pinnacle if it were not for owner Carl Landa commandeering it back from his ex-girlfriend after buying it for her in the first place. For saving an old watercooled and giving it a proper home, WE SALUTE YOU!
In recent years, 1.8T engines have become the must-have motor swap. They have far surpassed 16Vs and are attempting to take the crown from the reigning champ, the legendary VR6. As common as the now nearly ubiquitous 1.8Ts are in more recent VWs, they are still somewhat of a newcomer to the A2 engine bay. As you can see from the pictures below, it is definitely a very welcomed and necessary change of pace. Nearly every major aftermarket VAG parts manufacturer offers software and bolt-on modifications for these motors, so coupled with the fact that 1.8Ts are more plentiful than ever, they definitely provide a strong case when trying to decide on a suitable motor swap.
At first glance, the fender flairs catch your eye and it took a couple of minutes before I could really focus on any other aspect of the car. The craftsmanship that went into designing and sculpting these took an element of precision that most of us just don’t possess. This is not something that you can weld up on your lunch break but rather something that must be perfected with a fine knife and incisive lens. They are sculpted so well that it is almost as if they were designed by a team of Volkswagen engineers. The arches coalesce like a gingerly paced stream into the side skirts.
The tires stretch not only on the wheel but also stretch the limit of fitment that is even humanly possible.
The rear upper valence discards it badges and monikers as if to shed it’s ties with it’s stock past because ladies and gents, this definitely isn’t the same GTI that rolled off the assembly line over 20 years ago. To think of this GTI being even remotely the same as a stock VW product would be a huge discredit to all of the labors that the creator has placed into this masterpiece.
The front fascia in and of itself just speaks volumes to me. Maybe I am just keen to notice the subtle ponderings of certain cars, but I must note that the blue, red, black. and green color scheme blends together exceptionally well. I like it for the simple fact that it’s not the same old, often tired routine of blacking out everything that isn’t black and adding more black to bits that started out already black.
Ello Gov’nor, fancy a ride in me today, yea?
The Compmotive Monoblocks look absolutely stellar on this car in particular. Big enough to make you take a second look but so reserved in design that they could almost be OEM. They are definitely an underused wheel and are among some of my favorite turbo-style wheels. They are classy enough to never get old but also allude to somewhat of a motorsports theme as well. The color of the car, Oak Green, is one that is hardly used but I can only hope that after this article is published, it won’t stay that way.
From this angle, the GTI looks like something I would of conceived in Gran Tourismo 5. It is so eloquently put together yet so prominently aggressive that it blurs the line between something I should quit my job for just so I can drive it every minute of every day and something I should put under glass to preserve for generations to come. I think the previous would be most proper.
Did we mention this was equipped with a Havair full air ride install? The entire setup is encased in a vinyl-wrapped false floor with only the compressor, tank, and audio amplifier on display. From bonnet to boot, this GTI is a real class act that has definitely raised the bar on what it means to modify an old waterwagen.
The Low-Down:
Engine:
1.8 20v turbo, engine code BAM from audi S3, golf rallye intercooler,vibratechnics engine mounts, samco hoses, MD Marsdon rad, slim line rad fan, Forge dump valve, JR cone filter, Forge carbon engine cover with chrome Audi badge, custom straight through (decat) exhaust, running Emerald M3D ECU mapped by Geoff from Dubsport. (261bhp + 339 ft-lbs rolling road print out)
Transmission:
Corrado 16v box, 5 speed.
Chassis and suspension:
Havair air ride kit using GAZ shocks, Neuspeed front and rear anti-roll bars, G60 drilled brakes and discs with green stuff pads.
Wheels:
Compomotive TH 1780 mono’s. 20mm spacers front, 20mm spacers back, 185/35/17s nankang NS2′s.
Styling:
Full respray in original color(Oak Green), front driver and rear wiper deleted and smoothed, Rear badges deleted and smoothed, color matched sills and arches, custom fabricated arches rolled and extended, crystal side markers, fogs, and headlights, color matched armer door plates, delocked door handles,Quad light set up with new red stripe and black badge.
Interior:
Front and rear recaro electirc seats retrimmed by MJ interiors (MJ print on headrests) in green and black leather and leather door cards, false floor trimmed in black vinyl with 32 led’s to show air ride setup under the door/flap with crushed green velvet surround, air tank sprayed oak green with Havair logo, crushed green velvet headlining and sunroof, Lumenition air/ fuel ratio meter, Momo steering wheel.
Ice:
Alpine DVD player, chrome Orion 2500D amp to match air compressor, Pioneer rear panel speakers, JBL component speakers powered by Kenwood amp and JL w7 13.5 subwoofer(w7 currently not in car as it is massive and weighs a ton, lol)