Make: VolkswagenModel: Golf
James Kruczek-Lewis’ modified Mk3 VW Golf
We’re always making stuff up here at Fast Car HQ. J-Euro, MIL-Spec have been some of our previous highlights. This month in our special ‘Making up new phrases about Car Culture’ room, we discussed this jaw-dropping Mk.3 Golf. “It’s plush,” said Jules. Scary quickly corrected him: “No, it’s OEM+.” New boy Lee looked on thoughtfully and then piped-up, “Nah bruv, that Golf is OEM-Plush!” Everyone smiled, stood up, switched the light off and left the special ‘Making up new phrases about Car Culture’ room for another month. So now you know how these happenings happen. Anyway, back to this piece of automotive art.
“To me, this is the ultimate Mk.3 and as soon as I heard it was for sale I really wanted to get my hands on the car,” James explains. So he didn’t build the car himself, then? “No, I actually purchased it from Steve Denton at the back end of last year and have spent the winter months refining the car with some subtle little touches,” confirms James.
Buying an already well put-together show car has its pros and cons. Obviously you can get yourself a readymade trophy puller, but is the car ever really yours? Thing is, it all depends what you want the car for. If you want to get some forum kudos by building a unique motor and compiling a massive build thread, then a balls deep project is the way forward. James has already put together a seriously tight Mk.2 Golf that was pretty involved. “I’ve had perhaps ten Volkswagens over the years, maybe five or more of them were Mk.3 Golfs!” he smiles. “My last Mk.2 was a proper project. It was a lovely H-plate, 3-door, 1.8-litre 16-valve model which got the full OEM treatment.”
So as we chat more to James it turns out he’s a serious VW freak. With his Tornado Red Mk.2 sold, James still wanted to keep his toe in the car game. This Mk.3 was perfect. Already sporting a killer paint job by Denton, who’s pretty much the UK Godfather of Mk.3 styling, this car was exactly what James was after. “I didn’t want to go for a full build, so this was ideal.” But over the winter there’s been lots of trick little touches added. “The front amber US-spec running lights have been wired up so they’re lit all of the time, but flash on and off when I signal to turn left or right,” smiles James. So it’s all in the detail, then? “Yes, exactly. I just really love owning the car and for me it’s all about chilling with my friends.” James has been a part of the Dubbing community for a long time now and is clearly very grateful of mates he has met through his love of cars. “Doug Shepley and the Sweetland brothers are always on hand to give me advice – or a good ribbing!” he jokes.
The car itself is OEM-Plush perfection. From the VW Recaro seats that have been trimmed by MJ Interiors to the beautiful Carlsson EVO 7x17-inch wheels. The SEAT Zenith Grey Metallic Steve Denton bodywork is, of course, flawless. In fact, the spec list reads like a Volkswagen enthusiast’s wet dream. There’s too much for us to mention here, but the 280mm Momo Team steering wheel, single Bonrath DTM mirror and ‘bump stops out’ coilover set-up say it all.
And there are no plans to sell it? “I’ve just picked up some brand new Abt V1 wheels which I’ll be fitting for this year,” James says. We’re sure there’s a few more tricks up this die-hard Dubber’s sleeve, so this is definitely a car to watch out for in 2011.
We’re always making stuff up here at Fast Car HQ. J-Euro, MIL-Spec have been some of our previous highlights. This month in our special ‘Making up new phrases about Car Culture’ room, we discussed this jaw-dropping Mk.3 Golf. “It’s plush,” said Jules. Scary quickly corrected him: “No, it’s OEM+.” New boy Lee looked on thoughtfully and then piped-up, “Nah bruv, that Golf is OEM-Plush!” Everyone smiled, stood up, switched the light off and left the special ‘Making up new phrases about Car Culture’ room for another month. So now you know how these happenings happen. Anyway, back to this piece of automotive art.
“To me, this is the ultimate Mk.3 and as soon as I heard it was for sale I really wanted to get my hands on the car,” James explains. So he didn’t build the car himself, then? “No, I actually purchased it from Steve Denton at the back end of last year and have spent the winter months refining the car with some subtle little touches,” confirms James.
Buying an already well put-together show car has its pros and cons. Obviously you can get yourself a readymade trophy puller, but is the car ever really yours? Thing is, it all depends what you want the car for. If you want to get some forum kudos by building a unique motor and compiling a massive build thread, then a balls deep project is the way forward. James has already put together a seriously tight Mk.2 Golf that was pretty involved. “I’ve had perhaps ten Volkswagens over the years, maybe five or more of them were Mk.3 Golfs!” he smiles. “My last Mk.2 was a proper project. It was a lovely H-plate, 3-door, 1.8-litre 16-valve model which got the full OEM treatment.”
So as we chat more to James it turns out he’s a serious VW freak. With his Tornado Red Mk.2 sold, James still wanted to keep his toe in the car game. This Mk.3 was perfect. Already sporting a killer paint job by Denton, who’s pretty much the UK Godfather of Mk.3 styling, this car was exactly what James was after. “I didn’t want to go for a full build, so this was ideal.” But over the winter there’s been lots of trick little touches added. “The front amber US-spec running lights have been wired up so they’re lit all of the time, but flash on and off when I signal to turn left or right,” smiles James. So it’s all in the detail, then? “Yes, exactly. I just really love owning the car and for me it’s all about chilling with my friends.” James has been a part of the Dubbing community for a long time now and is clearly very grateful of mates he has met through his love of cars. “Doug Shepley and the Sweetland brothers are always on hand to give me advice – or a good ribbing!” he jokes.
The car itself is OEM-Plush perfection. From the VW Recaro seats that have been trimmed by MJ Interiors to the beautiful Carlsson EVO 7x17-inch wheels. The SEAT Zenith Grey Metallic Steve Denton bodywork is, of course, flawless. In fact, the spec list reads like a Volkswagen enthusiast’s wet dream. There’s too much for us to mention here, but the 280mm Momo Team steering wheel, single Bonrath DTM mirror and ‘bump stops out’ coilover set-up say it all.
And there are no plans to sell it? “I’ve just picked up some brand new Abt V1 wheels which I’ll be fitting for this year,” James says. We’re sure there’s a few more tricks up this die-hard Dubber’s sleeve, so this is definitely a car to watch out for in 2011.