Although newer, more efficient motors surpass the original VR6 on paper, few have earned such a dedicated following. Beyond the engine's ability, many fans agree their affinity stems from the engine's rich personality and the sonorous resonance only the early VR6 12v emits.
Screaming up the on-ramp, Petey Garcia smiles at the hellacious crack of the open exhaust as his GTI breaks traction well into triple digits. Now a boosted show-stopper, Petey admits he, too, fell in love with his VR6 the first time he heard one at WOT. "The VR6 has a rare sound I can't describe, but after hearing a friend's with intake and exhaust years ago I knew I had to get one," Petey said.
Like many success stories, Petey had no intention of modifying his GTI. "After dumping a lot of money into an Infiniti G20 for the show scene, I wanted to leave the VW stock and just enjoy it," Petey said. But like so many others, an enthusiast's love for the aftermarket often throws sensibility to the wind.
With a history of spinning wrenches, Petey didn't bat an eye when he found a great deal on a low mileage '96 GTI VR6 with a blown head gasket. Within months, he had the hatch back on the road sporting Audi TT wheels, Mk4-look headlights and Patec coilovers.
The first round of mods kept him happy for a while, but eventually Petey started what was to become a show-stopper when he fitted his first pair of 19" wheels.
Unlike the Mk4 and Mk5 platforms that are blessed with cavernous arches, the Mk3s are barely able to swallow 215-section tires. Although 19x7.5" hoops were considered colossal in '03, Petey's desire for deep-dished rims prompted a complete makeover. "After wanting more lip than the stock fenders would allow, I knew I wanted a widebody to allow deep-dish wheels," Petey said.
Conveniently, Petey worked at Willie's Fiberglass & Autobody, where he had the tools and knowledge to make widening happen. "The minute I wanted to go bigger I started collecting parts," Petey said. By the time winter set in, he'd acquired a slew of exterior goodies, including an Abt/BBR body kit with wider front fenders and rear quarter panels, as well as a Rieger RS body kit and VIS carbon hood. Other exterior essentials included a Kamei grille, Mattig Cup mirrors, Abt hatch wing, dual round headlamps and Erebuni tail lights.
Over the next few months, Petey spent several hours after work modifying every individual part to ensure each was fitted perfectly. Installing the rear portion of the widebody was no small feat, since large portions of the stock rear quarters had to be cut out. As if hacking the pristine body wasn't difficult enough, Petey decided to install fiberglass between the new fenders and the body to further extend the wheel wells.
Along with the stretched fenders, he widened the skirts, as well as the bumpers and lower portions of the doors to match the new lines of the larger fenders.
Before blanketing the car with a coat of black paint, Petey shaved the handles and numerous other extremities.