For final week’s throwback publish, we took a have a look at a Mk2 VW Golf Cup automotive constructed by Euro Magic in Osaka, Japan. The Voomeran Golf confirmed simply how properly a couple of choose JDM styling cues can work on a European automotive base.
Whereas that Mk2 was a race automotive turned street automotive, the Mk1 we’re taking a look at as we speak is the other. And there’s much more to it than that, simply as you’d anticipate from a Gatebil construct. Let’s wind the clock again 10 years to take a look at Simon Jonsson’s drift-spec Golf.
2014 Characteristic
For those who really feel the urge to float, you could have many off-the-shelf choices – however if you wish to make a press release and go sideways in type, changing an iconic front-wheel drive sizzling hatch to rear-wheel drive for drift responsibility is the one approach to go.
However why go to all that hassle? As a result of you possibly can, in fact…
I do know that feels like a basic get-out clause, similar to when somebody says, ‘If you must ask why, you’ll by no means perceive’. However you recognize what? They’re cliches as a result of they’re true. Generally, you’re left with a spare engine, and a drunken concept takes form, or a pal lays down a problem. Or perhaps you similar to the form of a Mk1 Golf and the thought of re-powering one with a Volvo engine and drive being despatched to the rear wheels.
The opposite downside with asking these questions is very often, the individuals who do the stuff you’re questioning merely can’t reply you. That’s what the fervour we have now for automotive tradition can do – it may possibly take away your powers of logic and sensibility, leaving you with a heavy perspective of ‘I can try this’. That is how Simon Jonsson ended up with the creation I’m about to point out you.
So fairly than have him justify the ‘why’ when he instructed me he needed to go drifting and he wanted a RWD automotive for that, I simply thought, honest play – that’ll do for me. Generally, that’s nearly as good as a loopy set of circumstances that result in a venture ending up someplace completely random. The view beneath the bonnet is what caught my eye first once I noticed the Golf as a result of let’s face it – there’s not rather a lot that basically stands out on the outside.
Or perhaps there may be? These are five-stud wheels, huh? As a result of the Mk1 Golf is 4×100, in fact… So, to the educated eye, the clues are there in the event you look carefully sufficient. Volvo entrance struts clarify the primary picture on this chapter (you observed it was five-stud then, proper?), these 15×7-inch OZ Racing mesh wheels being a fairly excellent Volvo RWD offset of ET23.
To enhance the entrance (and to maintain donor vehicles to a minimal), on the again, there’s a Volvo 1030 stable axle, which began life beneath an early 240 mannequin. Mounted in its new residence on a {custom} 4 -link setup, you possibly can simply see the decrease bars of it right here.
This additionally explains the additional flare on the arches, as Simon had so as to add 30mm on both sides to cowl the wheels. It was both that or having to slender the axle, which might have been extra expensive however maybe solely a bit tougher to realize in the long term. The flares mimic the unique Mk1 Golf black plastic trims fairly properly.
The one different exterior adjustments are the handmade alloy bumper bars, however even these are considerably in line with how the originals would look although. Paint them black, and a big proportion of people that noticed them would in all probability be fooled.
Get nearer, and it’s more durable to disregard the indicators. Positive, at evening, the yellow headlamps may not be so nice, however they are simply plain cool, and I’ve at all times been a fan purely for aesthetic causes. The 2 air intakes are way more apparent at this distance, with the left-hand pipe feeding straight into the mouth of the turbo.
It should have been arduous to withstand making the Golf stand out extra. There’s no wild physique equipment and even polycarbonate home windows screaming ‘race automotive’, simply the physique mods I’ve talked about and a few tinted tail lamps. Oh, and the Volvo sweet purple paint job.
However as restrained as it’s on the floor, it’s like a lava movement of loopy beneath…
Volvo For Life
The Golf has a comparatively brief wheelbase in comparison with the bigger Volvo monocoque that the engine, gearbox and different driveline and suspension parts would have known as residence initially. To be exact, the Golf is 2,400mm (94.5 inches) between wheel centres, and the Volvo 240 is 2,649mm (104.3 inches), in order that further 26 and a bit centimetres means there may be some intelligent chopping happening right here.
First up, you’ve bought to take care of the primary impediment of the Golf initially being FWD. In any case, VW designed this house for the transverse-mount four-cylinder engine to take a seat neatly throughout the entrance finish.
However if you wish to flip the engine via 90 levels and have it pointing the ability to the again finish, that bulkhead wants chopping out. However that’s simply the beginning as a result of whenever you minimize a gap, you’re weakening the shell, and that’s not good.
The engine hasn’t been left customary both. I assume in the event you’re going to the difficulty of slotting in one thing random, then robust H-beam rods with ARP bolts, a VX3 cam, and another neat upgrades are to be anticipated. Working on E85, this ups the usual B230 energy determine from the 170hp-odd that it could have had initially to circa 260hp on the Golf’s rear wheels.
Have a look inside the motive force’s footwell, and you may see the beginning of the custom-built transmission tunnel and the cage, which, though is bolted in, is mounted on correct boxed ft.
Whereas the gearbox would have initially sat within the engine bay on the tip of the VW motor, now it’s in between the motive force and passenger seat. Once more, as an alternative of going for a motorsport-inspired shifter and even an aftermarket gear knob, Simon has used an authentic Volvo five-speed topper. However then once I requested what gearbox he’s utilizing, he tells me it’s a BMW ZF five-speed! Which supplies me one other head scratching second…
Right here’s a clearer view of the essential residence brew tunnel. Simon may be very modest in regards to the construct and once I first spoke to him he was fairly stunned that I needed to shoot a characteristic. However the reality this has all been constructed with primary instruments at residence and a MIG welder means it’s extra about inspiration than fabrication expertise.
As a result of the engine and field protrude into the passenger space far more than the originals, the entire driving place has needed to shift again to accommodate them. You’ve already seen the brand new pedal field, however moreover, the steering wheel boss has been prolonged with the column being dropped a couple of inches to maintain the angle good.
Now in the event you look once more you possibly can see the Sparco bucket seats are mounted fairly a method again in comparison with the place the usual seats can be. Though the advantages may be small, little issues like it will at all times assist with weight distribution within the seek for that excellent 50/50 cut up.
Within the rear the usual ground was utterly minimize out and changed with a flat panel. The battery has been offset (once more for weight distribution when there’s solely a driver in place), and is now held in place between the rear strut brace and rollcage.
The Golf remains to be very a lot a recent construct and Simon hasn’t actually had a lot of an opportunity to get it correctly sideways. However with an influence determine of roughly 260hp on the wheels and an all-up weight of what – perhaps 1000kg or much less – it’s like assembly your new greatest pal. You don’t actually know one another, however you recognize it’s the beginning of one thing actually particular.
The Speedhunters
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Bryn Musselwhite
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Images by Larry Chen
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