The latest version of the venerable Volkswagen Golf has made the compact sedan even more popular. So much so in fact that there are an endless array of aftermarket goodies available to turn the four-door family car into a hot Euro street cruiser. So, when Melissa Speiring of Riverside, California, told us that she was doing a complete makeover on her black 2000 Golf GLS, we were anxious to get involved. "I call my car 'Project Nympho' because it's my obsession," explains Melissa right up front. "Nympho, when taken out of context, simply means to be obsessed with something. My obsession is my car. Having a project car that I created was always a dream of mine."
As the first female member of 935WikedDraggers in San Diego, California, and the first Euro-style car in the club, Melissa is surrounded by guys who like to race, but she has earned their respect. "I have been with the crew for 10 months and [I'm] still representing them strong," says Melissa. "I would like to express my love for this group of people, I couldn't want a better group of friends, thanks for letting me into your family," she adds.
Her dedication is paying off already; she won Second Place Mild Performance Euro at Lowrider Magazine's Tour event in San Bernardino, California--her first show.
We begin at Street Weapon in El Cajon, California. Before installing the proto -type Drift kit, the parts were painted. Ramiro Licea first sanded the entire surface with 400-grit sand- paper.
Then the chief designer Carlos Sanchez applied primer and let it dry for 1/2-hour.
The primer was then sanded with 400-grit sandpaper.
Carlos then applied the black topcoat and let it set.
The other parts were painted and allowed to dry for 24 hours to cure.
With the front bumper cover and grille shell removed, the front fascia/air dam was attached first.
The front fascia is attached to the car with self-tapping screws.
The grille is then reinstalled and the front end's done.
The side skirts are attached with self-tapping screws.
Then the rear bumper cover/skirt is attached using self-tapping screws.
The finished kit looks great. Dan Greenbank, owner of Street Weapon, prototyped the Drift kit for the Golf with the help of Carlos Sanchez.
Our next stop was the V.I.P. Center in Pasadena, California, to install the Hella HID headlights. The grille and front fascia must first be removed. This applies to vehicles with stock bumper covers as well.
Unscrew and remove the stock headlight assembly.
Using a small screwdriver to release the catch, carefully unplug the headlights.
Attach the HID ballast using the bracket provided, in the factory headlight hole.
Plug the new wiring harness into the ballast and into the new headlight unit.
Plug the factory wiring into the Hella headlight wiring.
Attach the Hella headlight unit using factory screws.
Attach the ground wire to a good body ground with a self-tapping screw.
Attach the headlight bezel with an Allen screws provided. Repeat the steps on the other headlight.
With both headlight assemblies installed, replace the front fascia and grille. Note how bright the Xenon high beams are.
Hella side marker lights were also added.
The Hella projector beam headlights, Street Weapon front end and Hella Xenon fog lights change the look of the Golf considerably. In the next issue we'll show you how Modern Image created the color-shifting vinyl graphics.
Finally, H&R 11/2-inch dropped springs were installed and 19-inch Toyo Proxes tires with Velox VX5 alloy rims were mounted, giving the VW a whole new identity as a street custom.
SOURCES
APR Performance 2980 First St., Unit M
La Verne, CA
91750
(909) 392-0095
www.aprperformance.com
Hella Inc. 201 Kelly Dr., Dept. LRE
Peachtree City, GA
30269
(800) 224-3552
www.hellausa.com
H&R Special Springs 3815 Bakerview Spur, #7LRE
Bellingham, WA
98226
(888) 827-8881
www.hrsprings.com
Street Weapon Composites 466 Vernon Way, Dept. LRE
El Cajon, CA
92020
(619) 447-KITS
www.streetweaponkits.com
© 1998 - 2008
