In this issue you'll read about several enthusiasts who've owned their cars for a few years. During that time they've modified them, driven them and modified again. It's an obsession.
What's interesting about cars that are modified over a number of years is they can be a fascinating time capsule, capturing unique moments in modifying history.
This is certainly the case with Jorge Goncalves' '96 Golf VR6. The 29 year-old bought it 12 years ago when he graduated. He got it with 15000 miles on the clock, and it only has 17000 now. "I don't drive it much. You can't leave it anywhere 'cos people will steal anything," he observed.
Another reason Jorge only puts 800 miles on it each year is the Golf's in a constant state of conversion. Speaking to the owner and looking around the car you can see each stage; from mid-'90s German tuning house, to avant garde French styling at the start of the millennium, to the later motorsport theme and its now evolving hot-rod style.
The first evolution began in spring '97, about six months after he bought the VR6. He contacted Abt Sportsline in Germany and bought their headlights, grille, side skirts and rear spoiler. The tuner was popular at the time and the parts suited the Mk3 well but were "extremely expensive," according to Jorge.
With all the parts fitted, he had the car resprayed in its Jet black and bought a set of Fittipaldi wheels.
Fashions change and when the new millennium arrived, Jorge was ready for something new. He switched German tuners from Abt to Zender and bought Zender's front spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper. By now he was working at a BMW dealership, so he was able to have the car sprayed in the E36 M3's Cosmos black.
He also sold the wheels and switched up to polished Audi TT five-spokes. The motor received a GIAC chip and Schrick 268 cams, while Corbeau A4 seats found their way inside.
Again, Jorge had created another look that was cutting edge in its day. This makeover lasted until '04, when a web search turned up parts from French styling house DSP.
The DSP products were highly sought after at the time and Jorge tried in vain to find a US importer. He eventually dealt with the French in person, experiencing some translation problems. But after persevering for six months, he was in possession of DSP's $800 front bumper and mirrors.
Once they arrived he discovered the bumper needed extra parts; specifically, the grilles and foglights from an Audi S4. He initially looked at buying the parts from a dealer but discovered it was cheaper to buy a used S4 bumper and salvage what he required. After that, the DSP bumper simply bolted to the Golf's rebar and fitted perfectly.
The mirrors are Porsche 993 items on DSP mounting plates, but Jorge discovered they had manual adjustment. So he disassembled his Golf mirrors and mounted the motor and heating elements into the DSP housings to enhance their functionality.
You may have noticed the Zender skirts and rear bumper remained. However, there were plenty more changes to come. These included Audi door handles and a European tailgate.
The rear hatch has the wider Euro plate recess, but it also deletes the third brake light and the glass doesn't have holes for the rear spoiler. This tidied the rear end, but Jorge went further by shaving the rear badges and the lock/handle. Combined with tinted Hella tail lights, he's created something as smooth as a baby's backside.
He also fitted a de-badged Bonrath grille and Hella E-code headlights. You may notice a total lack of indicators; the front bumper no longer houses them and he didn't upgrade to Mk4-style headlights. Despite this, Jorge said, "I haven't been pulled over for years..."