2001 VW GTI
The VW Golf isn't perhaps the sexiest car on the planet. In particular, the Mk4 chassis can leave you cold. Introduced in 1997, it was the best selling car in Europe at one point. Intended for the mass market, how could it possibly be sexy if everybody and their grandma had one?
While the Mk4 might not have the cute charm of a Beetle or the sex appeal of a Ferrari, that's where all of us come in. Our minds are filled with so many ideas of how to make our VW faster, more functional and perhaps even sexy.
In fact, Josh Mather from Yorba Linda, CA doesn't drive a Porsche everyday, but his '03 GTI VR6 with hardcore Euro looks and heavenly interior surely has enough swagger for the next Jenna Jameson film.
An entrepreneur by trade, Josh spends three hours a day in the office. He runs a dance convention that tours North America, so most weekends are spent traveling. He's also a father of two, so it's truly amazing he found time to create this GTI in just three months. But his experience as a former Porsche technician and long-time VW gearhead definitely played a major role in its construction.
"I've been into VWs since I was 12," Josh began. "My first car was a Beetle I bought for $400. I've probably owned over 20 Beetles since then, 13 Buses and a few Karmann Ghias."
With a distinguished portfolio of air-cooled VWs, it was a big surprise to discover this is Josh's first GTI. And the story behind it is just as unexpected...
White lambskin is an unusual...
White lambskin is an unusual touch in this car
"The car came from New York. It had been stolen. The guy who owned it apparently had it stolen," Josh told us. "His friend took it but got involved in a high-speed chase, which ended with minor front-end damage and a busted tie rod. However, the title was salvaged and the car auctioned off."
The damage was easily remedied and eventually Josh's friend Tony Lazaro bought the car in California. Flip back to Readers' Ride of the Month in et 3/06 and you'll see how the car looked before -- Matchstick red, 19" Rial Daytona wheels and an Oettinger body kit. Tony had built a sweet daily driver but a turn of events saw the car change ownership as Josh attempted his first GTI project. But he wasn't going to keep the same style of big wheels and aggressive body kit commonly found in Southern California. "I'm originally from Boston and the East Coast style is much different. I don't mean to bag on Cali, but East Coast cars kill! I wanted to keep it clean and not clutter it up. When Tony owned it, he had all these trinkets on the car like carbon door handles. It just wasn't for me, so the night I picked up the car I ripped them off in his garage!"
Josh's goal became clear - keep the GTI clean, smooth 'n Euro. There wouldn't be any spoilers or unnecessary accessories, as he needed everything to flow. Starting with the exterior, he made a point not to use cheap parts, preferring original equipment from Europe.
Relatively stock, VR6 has...
Relatively stock, VR6 has Euro Sport cams, intake, exhaust and pulleys
Straight from Germany, Josh imported bumpers along with 25th Anniversary valances and side skirts for that OEM+ look. A Bonrath badgeless grille, Euro stubby mirrors and HID headlamps would add to the theme.
It wasn't a lot of new parts, but it was enough to give the exterior some maturity. He decided a shaven haven would improve the GTI even more, so he deleted and smoothed the hatch emblem and handle, the rear wiper and antenna.
The fenders were subtly pulled before it was time to pick a fresh color. The existing red wasn't going to cut it, so Josh looked to his other hobbies for inspiration. "I have mad love for BMX, especially the old ones. I'm a collector. So the color scheme was built around my PK Ripper bike. In fact, the GTI was designed so the bike would look good on top, since I have two bikes that perfectly match the car," he explained.
Josh delivered the car to Diamond Coats in Huntington Beach, CA where layers of PPG Cloud Blue Haze were sprayed throughout the car, including the engine bay and door jambs.