Innehållsförteckning för September 2020 från Performance VW

Firstly, I hope you’re all staying safe and, more importantly, sane during these crazy times. Remember, what’s going on inside our heads is just as important as what’s happening with the rest of our bodies. In fact, when you think about it, it’s more important, as your brain is the control centre to it all. If you’re having a bad day or if things are generally getting you down then please reach out to anybody that will listen, be it a friend, a family member or loved one. Hell, we’re only an email away and we’re always happy to shoot the shit! On a positive note, lockdown has seen some pretty crazy builds being completed and they don’t come any more bonkers than Neil Montgomery’s Mk5 GTI that graces our…

Modified car culture wouldn’t be what it is today without the aircooled VW Beetle, that’s an indisputable fact. There’s no other car quite like it–it first emerged in embryonic form way back in 1938, and continued in production in a loosely similar form right up until 2003. Nearly 15.5 million of them were hammered together in Germany, another 3.5m in Brazil, and countless more in the factories of a dozen or so other countries. And with so many built for so many years, naturally they’re among the most frequently customised and modified cars–from flower-power hippie runabouts to full-bore drag weapons, the Beetle’s done it all. The Cal-look vibe is the favourite of many an enthusiast, characterised by a low-slung stance, a hot engine, removal of all chrome, and fashion-forward wheels.…

Despite the mainstream stereotypes of flamboyant bodykits and lurid colours, the best modified cars are the ones defined by the tiniest details rather than the biggest statements. It’s the jobs that result from late nights, bleeding knuckles and relentless auction-hunting that tend to satisfy most, but they’re also the bumps in the road that tend to slow progress or stall it completely. The rational among us take a breather, gather thoughts and come back to it later. Alex Lambert had other ideas. There’s a seven-year process of late nights and grief behind Alex’s project car, but you’re not looking at the end result of that here. At his garage near Cardiff, propped up on axle stands, is a build that’s shaping up to be one of Europe’s best show-standard Polos–an…

Car Shows, eh? Remember those? You know, it’s when a collection of enthusiasts actually meet up in person and talk about each other’s cars. We know it only seems like a dim and distant memory at the moment, but rest assured, my friends, those days WILL return, and when they do, you will want to make sure that your motor is snappin’ necks and netting snaps in equal measure. And the easiest way to do that? Get it forensically clean, of course! Even if you’re rolling in a stocker, a perfectly detailed ride will always get you a few nods. Luckily for us, the car-care gods at Autoglym have given us a ‘quick start’ guide for those looking to get their shine on, without breaking the bank. Thanks to their…

Hello there. Long time PVW contributor, first time RCars waffler. I thought I should introduce you to my CC because, well, I just really like it. Now, before we start, I have a confession to make: while I’ve always been a massive VW fan, this is actually only the second one I’ve owned. (And that’s after owning… ooh, I dunno, maybe fifty cars? I’ve lost count.) The first was a Mk2 Scirocco Scala, which a mate gave me as a jokey birthday present when I was 21. He’d bought it for its BBS wheels to put on his Mk2 Golf, and was going to scrap it. I spent £750 getting the engine rebuilt, then sold the car for £750. That’s some hot maths. All that being said, I’m not a…

Over the years, we’ve featured pretty much everything to wear the famous VW badge on these pages; from the earliest air-cooled Type 1s, still wearing what’s left of their original paint, to the biggest budget, brand spanking models, with wheels worth more than the GDP of most African nations. It’s an eclectic mix, and that’s how we like it. We’ve printed many cars with a spec list as long as your arm, but I don’t think we’ve ever listed one that’s quite as impressive, or detailed, as that of Neil Montgomery’s Mk5 Golf. If Donald Trump were to pen a book on why he was the Greatest Human Being That Ever Lived, it still wouldn’t touch it. It might surprise you to realise that this is the 39 year-old’s first…

Shop cars are wonderful things, acting as blank canvases for businesses to show what they’re all about and they've been around for years. Some of them enjoy unlimited budgets, riding the credit wave into the shoreline of success. Others are created from the blood, sweat and tears of a tireless and dedicated team. Whatever their path to fruition, you can bet it’s a good representation of what the shop can do. Brian Smith, the 37 year-old owner of Redline Motorworks LLC in Reisterstown, Maryland, has been entrenched in the Volkswagen world since the time when Mk2s were still shiny in the showrooms. As is often the case, enthusiasm is either discovered on your own or handed down through a family member. Brian’s grandfather possessed the keys to a handful of…

Looking back over the last few years, we really have been spoilt when it comes to accessible, fast cars. The introduction of the Mk7 Golf R and its VAG-Group cousins in 2014 marked a new dawn for those wanting to unlock effortless, reliable performance that would allow proud owners the chance to seriously embarrass supercars on relatively affordable budgets. With grippy Haldex 4WD systems and trick electronics taking care of as much power as you could throw at them without breaking a sweat, some began to argue that these new-age hot hatches actually made it a little too easy to achieve those god-like numbers on the track or strip, often detaching you from the more challenging and fun elements of driving altogether. Thankfully, an antidote to this trend can be…

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JOE KAUTZ IAGE: 35 OCCUPATION: 12 volt telematics JOB TITLE: Field Service Quality Control LOCATION: Harrisburg, PA, USA OG VW modifier, multiple PVW features and says it like it is. Enough said! Favourite issue of PVW? The first Ultimate VW USA bookazine. Favourite PVW feature car? Aside from my own cars, it’s a solid tie between Big Ron’s Mk1 VR6 and Frank Bisogno’s Mk3 GTI (the 12v turbo tan interior era). Worst modded VW you’ve ever seen? Anything that follows the ‘attention’ trends over the years. Rusted shit, excessive camber, a half ass shaved bay, trendy wraps and anything with a hood exhaust that is not a legit race car. Favourite car you’ve been involved with? My old Jetta has some great memories attached to it. Then I dismantled it…

German tuner Abt Sportsline have just announced uprated lowering springs and a selection of alloy wheel solutions for the all new, all digital Mk8 Golf. You’ll probably agree the new Golf looks super sexy but, if like us, you prefer your cars a little closer to the ground with the arches slightly fuller then this little offer could be right up your street. Abt’s lowered suspension springs will reduce your Golfs ride height by between 25 and 30mm (depending on its engine and spec) and not only is the handling instantly improved, but the Golf automatically takes on a significantly more sporty appearance. The set is also suitable for cars with adaptive chassis control (DCC). If you want to further enhance your new Golf, then there are three wheel designs…

One of the great things about those early Treffen years was the huge number of events and activities and the sheer amount of organisation that went into it all. There were designated areas in Reifnitz for fans to show off their cars–you didn’t need to fight for a spot like these days because this was all arranged according to your entrance number, e.g. No.1 to 100 on Field A–and even though the place was buzzing there was always enough room. As well as the trade areas there were other activities during the day, technical films and lectures, a football tournament and various inter-club games and competitions. And in the evenings there were firework displays and laser shows over the lake. No wonder people loved it… PART TWO TRADE AREA The…

RADEK GOCHNIA AGE: 45 LOCATION: Calgary, Alberta, Canada MODEL: 2008 VW Passat Wagon 2.0T Highline, six-speed manual PURCHASED: Bought new in April 2008. Was the wife’s daily for 6 years, my daily till this day FIRST MOD: Rims and H&R “Touring Cup Kit” lowering springs FAVOURITE MOD: The big turbo SPENT: Approx. $30k CDN (20k Euro) so far… FUTURE MODS: HPA intake manifold with bigger injectors and HPA Stage 3++ tune, CAE shifter, APR forged wheels, KW coilovers, Golf R intake camshaft, Passat R36 front seats, Snow Vapor water meth injection, poly bushes all around, AWD conversion. I want to touch around 500bhp DUB DETAILS: fully built VW EA113 1996cc motor (405 bhp on 93 octane), APR 3” downpipe, mid pipe, custom 3” cat back exhaust, ARP head stud conversion,…

Photos are printed free but cannot be returned. We can only accept one advert per reader per issue. Specialist insurance, from adrianflux.co.uk Authorised and regulated by tthe Finacial Conduct Authority Call 0800 085 5000 Cars VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1970, 100 miles, £9,500. 1300 with 1600 engine. Restored; all rust cut away and all new metal replaced, new heater channels, all new brakes discs to front including new master and pipes. Engine was rebuilt by previous owner before body rebuild. A genuine sale THIS IS TAX AND MOT EXEMPT all registered and approved by DVLC. All new tyres have original wheels color coded after I had the respray supplied if full price paid. Please note this is not a 1302s. Please call 07837838559, South West. 101860 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1979, £14,000. VW Karman…