Something SilvaJessica Silva just turned 25, but it might shock you to know she's only been into VWs a few years. "I started at rock bottom," she began. "I didn't care about cars for the longest time."
When Jessica first started to drive, she roamed around in a Mitsubishi Eclipse. She graduated to a '02 VW Jetta 2.0 but was unaware of the tuning scene. It wasn't until her fianc bought an Acura and joined car club Team Stance that things started to make sense.
"He dragged me along to every meeting and the club kept telling me they needed a girl on the team." So Jessica became the first and only girl on the team with the only Euro. It was then that she made the epic decision to trade her two.slow for a '04 1.8T.
Team Stance is a Japanese import club, but Jessica managed to avoid the gaudy styling practiced by some of her peers. Through her own research, she built this ultra-clean Jetta, commonly nicknamed "Getta" because of its Golf front-end.
"Being in a car crew, I had lots of help from people who knew cars," Jessica explained. "I tried to get involved with everything. I don't just drop it off and expect somebody to do it. I'm not a hardcore grease monkey, but it's my car and I want to know how it works."
Starting with the exterior, the front-end conversion was one of the more intricate tasks. Jessica had to track down a Golf front bumper, fenders, hood and lights to complete the swap. She later advanced to the more aggressive R32 bumper and badgeless grille.
The hood and bumper notches were filled to look seamless, and for less distraction, the bumper side markers were also shaved.
Jessica wasn't done there. She installed smoked Euro-spec projector headlights and painted the grille flat black for contrast.
The rear features GLI tails and the side mirror plates were color-matched to flow with the lines of the car.
Painted checkerboard inspired...
Painted checkerboard inspired by original Mini
Jessica told us she's also proud of the checkered roof. "People think it's vinyl, but it's painted," she explained. "I saw an old-school Mini Cooper with it and thought it was badass!
The 18x8" Konig Imagine wheels were one of her first modifications. "They were convenient and inexpensive at the time," she explained. "I like the mesh design so stuck with them and kept working on everything else."
Performance came next and she was happy to have a 1.8T rather than the two.slow but that didn't stop her from seeking more power. She upgraded it with GIAC software, an evoms CAI and GHL exhaust with downpipe.
Jessica installed all the...
Jessica installed all the bolt-ons herself with some help
Local import shop Kami Speed helped Jessica source Forge Motorsport turbo inlet pipe, boost and intake hoses, as well as a blow-off valve for better boost behavior.
Although stuck with a five-speed Tiptronic, Jessica is content with the acceleration. For stiffer handling and a lower stance, H&R Sport springs were installed, but she has a set of coilovers and sway bars in the works.
Jessica's accomplished a great deal for being the only girl in an import club, not to mention building her first project car. "Sitting at a car show like Hot Import Nights, people don't expect the car to be mine. When they find out, the reaction is priceless!"