Randy had to build the BBS himself, once he'd refinished them
The 5x130 Porsche wheels required 20mm front and 30mm rear hub adapters before they could be bolted to the Mk2's 5x100 hubs. The wheels, measuring 16x7.5" front and 16x8.5" rear, wrapped in 205/40 Nexen N3000 tires, were pushed to the edge of the bodywork. So to accommodate the increased width, G60 fender flares were install front and rear - a clever solution since a Mk2 with Plus suspension has a noticeably wider track up front. "I did the flares because I didn't want to do extensive metalwork," Randy explained. "I chose to go with G60 front flares in the rear to make the car look wider so I could stick the wheels [out a little more] and give the car a wider stance. Now everything lines up, instead of the front being wider than the back."
He continued this approach of making the car look almost stock, but with a custom twist, with a single round badgeless grille, grille spoiler and projector headlamps with HID bulbs up front. In the rear it has a smooth tailgate, European tail lights and the lip spoiler from the front of a big-bumper Golf GL sits below the rear bumper.
Buddy Mike Richardson, who also works at BodySport, took care of the major body- and paintwork. He smoothed the scuttle tray after an AAT6 single wiper kit was fitted. He also shaved the emblems, rear wiper and banana lights. He then installed Audi door handles, painting the centers black for contrast.
The body color is a nameless hue from Dupont, and was another crucial design element for Randy, who wanted the car to look genuinely European. "I noticed a lot of cars were in a base colors, without any metallic," Randy said. "So I chose a color that was off the regular charts. I went to my local parts store and they passed me a dusty book. That's where I saw this gray-brown and instantly knew it was the one."
With an attention-grabbing "Brit-look" exterior and go to match the show, the interior couldn't be ignored. Randy had a Corrado G60 dashboard for just such an occasion, and installed it along with a customized Mk3 VR6 cluster, designed to fit the decidedly different space. To most people, if an engine swap is difficult, a dash swap is downright suicidal, but Randy wasn't fazed. "It wasn't difficult at all; I love wiring," he enthused.
Powered Porsche seats
Seats from a Porsche 911 were sourced from a salvage yard (where else?), and Randy modified some brackets to fit them. He then worked on a modest stereo, using Eclipse and Kicker gear to please the judges at show time, but Randy doesn't care for it overall. "I'm not really fond of radios; the engine makes enough music for me," he laughed.
It's got to be pretty sweet music, considering that 16 years have passed since Randy's first dream about the perfect Mk2 to finally completing it on his own. "The information is out there somewhere," he said. "If you want it, go out and get it! That's my philosophy." We're sure old George McFly would have to agree.
Tech Spec1992 VW Golf GLOwner: Randy Williams Location: Rocky Mount, NCOccupation: dental technician/owner ofBodysport Performance
Randy's DIY engine swap proves you can do anything you put your mind to
Engine:'98 2.8 liter VR6 with Schrick 268 cams, 25 lb blue-top injectors, Autotech wires, GIAC chip, AAT6 intake with heat reflector, aluminum pulley set, custom 2.5" cat mated to Remus exhaust, polished intake manifold, modified Turn 2 engine mountsDrivetrain: stock five-speed manual with Sachs Power clutch
Suspension:FK coilovers, polished Autotech upper strut bars front and rear, Autotech lower front tie-bar, Neuspeed Mk3 upper rear tie-bar, Autotech Clubsport adjustable Mk3 rear sway bar, polyurethane bushings throughout
Brakes:complete VR6 Plus suspension conversion with five-lug hubs to mount Mk4 GTI 337 front and rear calipers plus 312mm front and 288mm rear cross-drilled and slotted rotors, Mintex pads, Autotech braided front lines, custom Mk4 rear lines
Wheels & Tires: 16x7.5" front, 16x8.5" rear BBS RS wheels on 20mm front, 30mm rear 5x130 hub adapters, 205/40-16 Nexen N3000 tires