Genuine Porsche Cup wheels...
Genuine Porsche Cup wheels and 993 Turbo brakes
The massive brakes can be seen through the spokes of the genuine Porsche Cup wheels, measuring 17x7.5" front and 17x9" in the rear, and wrapped in 205/40 and 215/40 Yokohama Parada Spec 2 tires, respectively. However, 35mm H&R PCD adaptors were required to allow the 5x130 wheels on the 4x100 hubs.
Bilstein PSS9 coilovers brought the Golf down to the tarmac, while H&R sway bars keep it flat in the turns. The stock fenders were also flared to keep the wide wheels and low stance from causing pain over bumps or in the turns. "It's nothing crazy like a touring car, but it does have a widebody in the back," Jose explained.
The overall styling choices reflect the same sort of race-inspired approach but with a custom touch. First, the front bumper was replaced with a modified Rieger R-RX part. The giant Spearco core is plainly visible within the front section, and the lower splitter sits inches away from destruction on a bump or driveway ramp. He drives it this low, too!
A JOM badgeless grill and European headlights replaced the stock parts, while Rieger skirts transition into a Mattig rear diffuser and a smoothed Euro bumper. The rear hatch has been completely smoothed, flushed and filled, while Magnaflow tips from the custom Azevedo exhaust poke out from openings in the rear. "We originally shaved the rear door handles, and did A4 handles in the front. I think I showed it once but didn't like how it was so decided to shave them all,'" Jose continued.
A door popper was installed on the driver's side to allow Jose to enter without hassle. And once the work was completed, everything was coated in BMW M3 Cosmos black. The result is a look that's aggressively in yer face, yet smooth at the same time.
Interior features GTI silver...
Interior features GTI silver dials, Momo accessories and Sony PS2 integrated into glove box
Turning our gaze inside, it's pure racer with a dash of show car thrown in. A custom-welded ten-point NHRA-spec rollcage dominates the cabin, with Sparco Evo 2 seats providing maximum support for the occupants, while Momo parts are at hand for driver interaction.
Every beige panel was either swapped out or covered in new fabric - black and red suede now adorns most of the acreage inside, including the headliner. "The headliner is a plush suede material," Jose said. "I did the red and black to match the seats, which had red inserts in the middle."
A wideband 02 sensor display has replaced the temp dial on the heater controls, and along with five more VDO gauges in the center console, it keeps Jose informed of the activity under the hood. To reinforce the race-theme, an ATL fuel cell was mounted in the spare wheel well, and the filler has been flushed into the upper quarter panel.
In order to be a contender at the numerous shows Jose attends, an entertainment system was essential. "If you don't have audio, you won't win," he explained, "so I had to add audio. It's killed the motorsport theme but I needed it for the shows. And it sounds nice."
The equipment and speakers are from Pioneer, Kicker and Farenheit, including an in-dash DVD receiver, PS2 in the glovebox and a trick front/rear enclosure with four monitors that was built onto the rear hatch - with one of the screens fed directly by a small camera mounted in the hatch so people can admire themselves while they are admiring Jose's VW.
Just to be clear, Diogo and the Azevedo crew didn't work on Jose's masterpiece pro bono. Just like any other customer, Jose had to pay to play. But when it came to inspiration and ideas, it certainly didn't hurt to have Azevedo on the team.
Luckily, Jose knew to say "stop" once he had a unique combination of power and style that can just as easily fit in with a VW crowd as attract attention at an import show. Two things that are typically mutually exclusive, but proof that when you know the right people, anything is possible.