Where it all began - the VWoA...
Where it all began - the VWoA photo used as the basis by all our photochop challengers
Way back in the 5/06 issue we highlighted the work of some computer illustrators in an attempt to encourage you to have a go. That got the ball rolling. Then one of you (Jon Sibal) suggested we set a challenge so people could compare results, maybe offer a prize for the best entry...
That didn't sound like a terrible idea, so we spoke to our friends at Oakley who stumped up an excellent AP Backpack as a reward for the best entry.
Now here we are, looking at your manipulations of the GTI photo VWoA kindly allowed us to play with. And we have to confess they're pretty good. Give yourselves a collective pat on the back and take the rest of the day off.
Unfortunately we couldn't fit all of them here so we've compiled 24 of the very best, most imaginative and funniest entries for your enjoyment. You can view these and all the entries at eurotuner.com
And the winner is - not that this was a formal competition or anything but, in our opinion, the best entry came from - Kunal Patel.
He only just squeezed under the finishing date after he forgot to send it originally. However, we liked his design's cool features and understated lines. At the end of the day, this is probably the one we'd drive.
According to Kunal, his car has been lowered onto VW-badged wheels. The exterior has a custom hood and emblem, as well as his own front bumper with foglights and custom skirts. He's also turned off the annoying daytime running lights, then finished the car in ruby red paint. Finally, he added Momo racing seats inside the car.
A round of applause for Kunal: The $120 Oakley AP backpack is in the mail.
Congratulations to everybody who had the balls to enter, including those people who didn't take it too seriously: People like Jeffery Eoff who thought his import was good enough to beat all the Euros, and Rawker who thought the Mk5 is ugly so sent a photo of his Mk4. "I'm not a big fan of the Mk5," he told us. No kidding!
We also loved Aaron Erkkinen's rainbow GTI with Bigfoot - pure class. And let's not forget Mike Shofner's illustration. He sent us his version of the "Love Bug" using pencil and ink. "The only computer action this saw was sending it to you. You mention crayons in the original article, so I figured my drawing would be ok." It definitely is; we'd wear that on a T-shirt.
Don't miss next month's issue, where you'll find the second et Photochop Challenge. It's another chance to take home one of Oakley's finest and cover yourself in geeky glory.
 Winner. Kunal Patel's winning...  Winner. Kunal Patel's winning entry, his ruby red GTI with custom body kit |  Second place with an honorary...  Second place with an honorary mention goes to Cesar Graulau's eurotuned GTI. |  In third place is the man...  In third place is the man who started it all, Jon Sibal. This was one of the most impressive GTIs. |
 In fourth place is Anton Sutovsky's...  In fourth place is Anton Sutovsky's futuristic GTI. |  In fifth place is what Esteban...  In fifth place is what Esteban Vasconez describes as his Green Matter Golf. |  Sixth place goes to Kregg...  Sixth place goes to Kregg Rothrock. |
 Seventh place belongs to Hunt...  Seventh place belongs to Hunt Dougherty for a car that reminded us of a Rieger-kitted Mk3 for some reason. |  In eighth place is Jon Glover's...  In eighth place is Jon Glover's illustration. |  Ninth place had to be awarded...  Ninth place had to be awarded to Richard Roy. He submitted two entries but we liked this radical speedster look |
 Tenth place goes to Dave Stein...  Tenth place goes to Dave Stein who came up with a bold GTI and added his wife Nina. | | |