Torquer

Has the UK finally caught up with

the sledgehammer European
UK vs EURO

show cars? We’ll let you decide...

Words: James Wallace Pics: John Colley

T
here’s an equal amount of faith and
scepticism that you place in people the
moment you sit beside them in a highly
The Coolest modified VW. Nine times out of 10 they’re
Obvious, isn’t eager to impress with the pace and ability
it? Blending a of the car that they’ve spent the last year, or
highly detailed more, constructing. Brown pants anyone?
1996 Mk3 VR6 So as we buckle the three-point, hand
lump into one stitched and colour-coded Sparco seatbelt
of the cleanest around our ample torsos, and settle into the
engine bays leather trimmed Recaro Sport seat we kind of
we’ve seen in the know what to expect from this immaculately
United Kingdom. prepared Mk2 VR6. After all, we’ve been out
It doesn’t hang in plenty of VR6 Mk2s before, how different
around either! can this one be… Oh my God. A few moments
later we’re circumnavigating a quiet Midlands
ring road at speeds that inner city black top
just isn’t designed for – oh, and hanging on for
dear life...
To suggest that this car has the
performance to match its looks is somewhat
of an understatement. The car’s owner (and
bodywork specialist) Bob Burnside sure
ain’t afraid to exploit the fireworks that are
contained beneath the bonnet, despite our
rather presumptuous thoughts that, ‘it’s a
show car, there’s no way he’s going to give
it death.’ And he seemed like such a normal
bloke when we were talking to him earlier…
“It’s great for relieving the stresses of a
busy day at work,” Bob says with a wry smile.
“If I’ve had a really bad day I go for a blast

26 January 06 thegolf.co.uk thegolf.co.uk January 05 27


across country and come back suitably chilled.
The noise is just so addictive.” Ahh yes, that
noise. An incendiary mixture of on-demand,
full-throttle, inductive aggression balanced by
a disturbingly mellow cruising ambience. It’s
spine-tinglingly addictive, like a bootleg version
of the best The Prodigy have to offer mixed with
a Barry White track as soon as the throttle is
shut off. Heavy metal meets smooth grooves.
The 32-year old paint and bodywork
specialist from Derbyshire based his entire
project on a very simple philosophy. “I just
refuse to build an ugly car. If one of the Lax
Bowels brigade approached me with a Citroën
Paxo project I’d probably turn them away.
I used to do a lot of ‘bigger is better’ work
but that scene is just out of control now. I
think I’ve grown out of it.” And thank God
he has, otherwise this Mk2 may never have
materialised...
As luck would have it shortly before upping
sticks and going to work around Europe, Bob
was offered an Alpine White 8-valve. But little
did he realise that his time on the mainland
would profoundly influence both his reading
habits and project outlook. “The moment I
returned to England I contacted the guy and
bought the car.” £300 lighter and armed with
copies of German magazines such as VW
Speed, VW Scene and VW WOB, it was time
“An incendiary mixture of on
demand full-throttle aggression and
mellow cruising ambience”
“ I took it on the proviso
that if it didn’t work, I’d
be back… Know
what I mean?”
to embark on a well trodden but undeniably
stylish path.
In September of 2004 the car was collected
and the following three-months were spent
sourcing the bits needed to carry out the
engine conversion. Securing the 1996 Mk3 VR6
engine and gearbox was merely the beginning
of the journey. As with any engine conversion
it’s always easier and substantially cheaper
to buy a complete car rather than watching
the price creep up when additional parts are
required, something Bob is all too aware of,
“I wanted the earlier VR6 engine, not the coil
pack type, but this OBD2 unit had only covered
69,000miles and it was up for sale at the right
price. It had been stood in a barn for ages and
was rusty and looking worse for wear. It was
a risk, but the guy swore that it was in good
working order so I took it on the proviso that if
it didn’t work once I’d installed it I’d be back...
Know what I mean?”
It was having to locate and pay for the Mk3
subframe, pedal box, dashboard, steering
column, wiring loom, ECU, brake servo and
Corrado twin rad fans and radiator that upped
the budget considerably. And that doesn’t
take into account all the new bits and pieces
that were required from his local dealership.
“Trust me, if you’re gonna tackle an engine
swap always plan on spending more than you
anticipated – especially if you have to buy stuff
from VW,” Bob shrewdly advises. “People kept
questioning my engine choice, but regardless
of what they think I built this car for me. I built
it to keep not just for a show season. I’d like to
think it has a timeless appeal and that’s why I
didn’t paint the roof a different colour. It’s not a
trendy car, it’s the car that I’ve always wanted
and will continue to improve throughout the
years.” Much respect to you Mr B.
So with the majority of parts acquired, Bob
set about stripping the car down in December
’04. “When it had nothing except the rear
wheels on it – no brakes, engine, interior,
wiring or front suspension – that was when
I thought, bloody hell what have I taken on
here?” Bob didn’t look back though, soon
incorporating the Mk2 heater matrix into the
Mk3 dash by cutting a section of bulkhead
and repositioning it to clear the obstruction.
Despite this, the dash still required a number
of ‘in-and-out’ attempts to fit before the Mk3
steering column could bolt directly to it.

Utilising the original Mk2 power steering
rack aids clearance on the factory VR6
manifold and downpipe, while the trusty
Vibratechnic front engine mount secures
the bulky engine in place and prevents any
unwanted interference with the bonnet. With
185bhp generated - helped by the Powertec
induction kit and Custom Chrome manifold-
back exhaust the estimated seven second
0-60mph sprint seems entirely credible. On the
basis of our brief passenger stint it feels every
bit the steroid- enhanced racer that the engine
note proudly announces.
Thanks to the notoriously stiff Supersport
coilover suspension the additional weight over
the front axle meant the car wasn’t inclined to
understeer, even when provoked. Although Bob
30 January 06 thegolf.co.uk
exhaust note promises”
still doubts that the handling is optimised for
twisty tarmac.
As attention focused on the engine bay the
decision was taken to weld and plate the inner
wings, before lead-loading the suspension
turrets and adding a final skim of filler to
achieve the cleanest bay we’ve witnessed
this side of Wörthersee. Now, this may sound
simple, but Bob estimates he spent around a
month and more than 100 hours tidying the bay
alone. “I had to reshape the nearside chassis
leg to clear the engine belts, so I thought why
not go one step further. I cut, shaped and bent
a single piece of metal to cover the chassis leg
and flow around the suspension turret - there’s
very little filler in there,” he admits as if it were
everyday practice to go to such extremes.
“It feels every bit the
steroid-enhanced
racer the
The majority of the VR6 wiring loom now
runs within the custom panelwork and into
the passenger side of the dashboard. The
passenger footwell itself houses a welded-
in battery tray and a small dry-cell Red Top
battery to start the insanely well-executed six-
cylinder renovation. Hiding the ECU was made
possible thanks to the copious confines of the
Mk3 Golf dashboard. With over 160 polished
stainless bolts sent to his friendly local
electroplaters it’s small wonder the engine
bay looks so sensational. “It got to the point
where it was doing my head in,” Bob told us.
“When the chromed anti-roll bar and wishbone
bolts came back I decided to call it a day.” Even
the exposed wiper mechanism, visible due to
the lack of a drip tray, has been treated to the
Above: innovative fuel filler stands proud and
erect from inner arch. With that lusty VR6 on
board that the aero-style flap rarely rests
same high standard of polishing and plating.
And you thought your engine bay was tidy?
Even our photographer admitted: “That’s one of
the coolest re-works I’ve seen.” And he’s seen
some engine bays…
Bodywork was next on the agenda as Bob
set to work on the original 8-valve panels. A
cut-down Jetta grille now nestles between
Corrado headlamps while smoothed and
colour coded bumpers house SWG Motorsport
air intakes with crystal clear indicators and
foglights. Gaining access involves using
standard Mk2 trigger handles that have been
reshaped and plastic-welded to resemble the
curves of Porsche 911 handles. It’s ingenious
touches such as this, and incorporating
aftermarket indicators into the stock Mk2 “The Recaro Sport seats
mirrors, that tend to go unnoticed.
Fresh Toyota silver (from a current model
were bought brand new
VVTi Celica) accentuates the total body and sent directly to the
makeover and picks out the fact that the trimmers”
filler cap and three-quarter level swage line
have both disappeared. That still wasn’t quite
enough for Bob, however, as his skills turned
to reshaping, smoothing and lead-loading the trim shop!) has, unfortunately, started to mark
tailgate and back panel for curves so smooth the back of seats, but as Bob points out, “I built
they give J-Lo a run for her money. this car for a laugh and to drive hard. I don’t
Bob then spent a further week flushing reckon you can ever achieve perfection if you
the interior of seatbelt anchorings and any plan on using and really enjoying your car.”
messy mouldings before the custom spec, Spot on Mr Burnside.
home made rollcage could be installed. “I The bonnet has been reworked too, with the
bought a load of cheap stainless steel tubing washer jets binned and the traditionally slatted
and a series of bends in varying degrees then air intakes replaced with plates that have been
mocked up the angles and held them in place recessed into the standard apertures. Similarly,
while a mate tacked them together to give there’s no trace of any badges anywhere,
us the basic shape. Then we added the rear distracting public attention, until they catch
supports to follow the contours of the roof sight of the Tropicana-chic leather and highly
and the C-pillars for maximum visibility.” The polished rollcage. As you’d expect, the majority
support bar that runs just behind the burnt
orange leather trimmed Recaro Sport seats Right: stove enamelled and newly painted
underpinnings suspended by Supersport coilies
(purchased brand new and sent directly to the
and new or plated bolts throughout. Quality.
thegolf.co.uk January 05 31
of UK motorists appear oblivious to how well
engineered and prepared the car really is as
they go about their daily routine. Fools.
But what about that attention-grabbing
fuel filler creation, eh Bob? “It’s made from a
stainless exhaust tailpipe.” he tells us. “We had
to modify the collar on the fuel tank to make
it seal perfectly, it was the only way to smooth
the side of the car without having to fit a
plexiglass rear window and fuel filler.” A clever
and unusual touch, we’re sure you’ll agree.
But all the blood, sweat and tears is soon
forgotten when Bob grasps the Isotta Katiena
steering wheel and slots home first gear using
the cable-change gearbox and re-trimmed
Momo Raptor gearknob. The car’s reflection
bounces from the shop windows that lead
into Derby town centre and the three-piece,
split-rim, Schmidt Modern-lines shimmer
“Bob estimates he
in the sunlight, looking every ounce the Euro spent around 100
masterpiece. Just as well the guys at Premier hours tidying the
Vehicle Services decided to sell them after all,
eh Bob?
engine bay alone”
As the busy afternoon traffic seemingly
inches along. this car’s rapid acceleration is
counteracted by G60 calipers and carriers
using EBC Green Stuff pads that clamp 280mm
Black Diamond cross-drilled discs. If we could
twist the car over we’d also catch sight of the
stove-enamelled subframe and wishbones too.
Tellingly, Bob is regularly asked whether
he’s a member of the Westside VW crew, which
says a lot about the look that he has worked so
painstakingly to create. Evidently the secret to
building an attention-grabbing vehicle is not to
opt for every trick in the book, but to selectively
pick and choose and have a clear brief from the
very beginning. “I set out to achieve a euro-
look, next-level car and I’d like to think that’s
exactly what I’ve achieved. Mind you, there’s
still a lot of things that need changing - I
reckon it’s at about 70 per cent of its potential
currently.” Typical isn’t it, you produce one of
the country’s most striking Mk2s and there’s
still another level to ascend. What do they say
about projects never being finished...?

The Knowledge

Engine
’96 2792cc Mk3 Golf VR6 engine, complete Mk3
Bosch Motronic wiring loom, ECU and fusebox,
Mk3 Golf subframe, Powertec induction kit,
polished inlet pipe, carbon fibre effect cam cover,
polished inlet manifold, alternator and cable
change gearbox mechanism, colour keyed engine
plastics, late spec coil pack ignition system, rain
tray deleted, Vibratechnic front engine mount,
Corrado twin-fan radiator, Custom Chrome racing
manifold back exhaust system, oval tailpipe,
plated, flushed and smoothed chassis legs and
suspension turrets, concealed wiring loom, re-
located Red Top battery in passenger footwell
Chassis
Supersport height adjustable coilover suspension,
new stove enamelled Mk2 wishbones, Powerflex
urethane wishbone, steering rack and anti-roll
bar bushes, Volksbits front and rear strut braces,
G60 brake carriers and calipers, Black Diamond
280mm cross-drilled discs, EBC Greenstuff pads,
VR6 servo and master cylinder, chrome brake
pipes. Wheels: 7.5 & 9x16-inch Schmidt Modern
Line alloys with 195/45 x 16 & 215/45 x 16-inch
Yoko A539 tyres
Styling
Refinished in Toyota Celica Silver, smoothed,
flushed and colour-coded front bumper, towing
eye deleted, SWG Motorsport air intakes, FK
crystal smoked indicators, Mk2 Jetta de-badged
grille, Corrado headlamps, SWG Motorsport
eyebrow spoiler,, smoothed bonnet with reshaped
air intakes, Bonrath single wiper conversion, side
repeaters smoothed from wings, aftermarket
mirror indicators incorporated into standard
mirror housings, reshaped Mk2 door handles,
green glass throughout, rear swage line flushed,
spoiler-less CL rear window, de-locked and
blended tailgate with reshaped plate recess, de-
badged rear panel, FK crystal smoked
rear lenses, back bumper colour-coded, towing
eye removed
Interior: Recaro Sport seats retrimmed in burnt
orange leather, Sparco harnesses with hand-
stitched logos, chrome door lock and boot
catches, Isotta Katiena steering wheel, Momo
Raptor gearknob, Mk3 Golf dashboard with
colour-coded centre console, lower trays and
speaker pods, leather trimmed door cards, filler-
covered and painted rear door cards, Mk3 Golf
VR6 steering column, custom made roll cage and
relocated inner wing fuel filler, smoothed seatbelt
mountings throughout
Thanks
Simon at CMF Derby (01332 371819) everyone else
who’s been involved with the project

32 January 06 thegolf.co.uk