Some folks don't think it's possible to build a feature-worthy vehicle on a student's budget (a genuine student, that is...). Well, those folks are just plain wrong, and David Moneymaker's '90 Jetta GLI is here to show them how it's done.
Take a look at these photos and note there's nothing that particularly hits you over the head, but at the same time it's crystal clear this is one special vehicle. With David's car it's the sum of the parts that equal greatness: the wheels, the color, the stance.
There's an OEM+ theme going on here and with the Mk2 Jetta, that's pretty effective. Let's face it: the second generation Jetta is a purposeful looking car, and there's never been much on the aftermarket that's improved the original design. Not being able to fall back on over-the-top body mods presents its own set of challenges when it comes to building a feature car, so David was forced to plan carefully and execute wisely.
Actually, the Kirkland, WA resident never set out to build a car at all, let alone an et feature car. David was originally prepared to buy somebody else's completed project (also a Mk2 Jetta) and went as far as purchasing wheels for the car ahead of time. He'd have been perfectly happy driving around in a car built by somebody else, but when that deal fell through David was inspired to build his own version of the car he almost bought. So the search began for a decent 2.0 16v GLI.
By his own admission, David's an impatient person, so when he found and bought a rather rough Calypso green GLI, he began to wonder what he'd got himself into. The car he tried to buy had quality bodywork that included widened steel fenders with fat wheels. That look was critical to his new project but David knew there was no way he had the patience or money to fashion the flares. However, he had a set of 15x8.5" and 15x9.5" BBS RMs at home that were going to need lots of room to fit, so he got the cutting wheel and proceeded to trim the hell out of the fenders.
While the car was stripped for bodywork David took one of the Jetta's front flares, turned it around, and tried it on the rear to see how it looked. Amazingly, the front flare seemed to fit and its extra width spoke to his sense of style. Those 9.5" RMs would now have plenty of room. Before applying a fresh coat of paint, David and his buddies seized the opportunity to remove assorted dents and shave the antenna hole, rear body seams and badges. Once done, Dreamwerks Custom Paint & Restoration applied the Calypso paint with a touch of blue pearl for added effect. While they were at it, Dreamwerks also color-matched the BBS centers, complementing the custom gold bolts David chose.It's one thing to build a car around a set of wheels you purchased months before you owned the car, but it's another thing entirely when you're not sure what tires to use. David's a big fan of the stretched tire look, but when it came to his 9.5" rear wheels he didn't know would work. During a trip to last year's New Dimensions show, David got a chance to chat with California autocrats Dan Koenig and Andy Reimann. These guys know about stretch and informed David a pair of 215/40-15 Dunlop SP9000 tires were needed. They also told him there was no way he'd find them in the US and he should contact Matt Crooke of Tuning Zubehor for assistance.
Does it sound strange to sweat the details regarding rear tires? Perhaps, but take another look at the photos. If you're honest, you'll admit there's something about this seemingly lightly modded Jetta that looks so right, and that something is in the details.