For final week’s throwback publish, we took a have a look at a Mk2 VW Golf Cup automobile constructed by Euro Magic in Osaka, Japan. The Voomeran Golf confirmed simply how effectively just a few choose JDM styling cues can work on a European automobile base.
Whereas that Mk2 was a race automobile turned highway automobile, the Mk1 we’re taking a look at right this moment is the alternative. And there’s much more to it than that, simply as you’d count on from a Gatebil construct. Let’s wind the clock again 10 years to take a look at Simon Jonsson’s drift-spec Golf.
2014 Function
In case you 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 obligation is the one approach to go.
However why go to all that bother? As a result of you possibly can, in fact…
I do know that appears 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. Typically, you’re left with a spare engine, and a drunken concept takes form, or a pal lays down a problem. Or possibly you similar to the form of a Mk1 Golf and the concept of re-powering one with a Volvo engine and drive being despatched to the rear wheels.
The opposite drawback 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’ve for automotive tradition can do – it may take away your powers of logic and sensibility, leaving you with a heavy angle of ‘I can do this’. That is how Simon Jonsson ended up with the creation I’m about to point out you.
So quite than have him justify the ‘why’ when he advised me he needed to go drifting and he wanted a RWD automobile for that, I simply thought, truthful play – that’ll do for me. Typically, that’s pretty much as good as a loopy set of circumstances that result in a venture ending up someplace completely random. The view underneath the bonnet is what caught my eye first after I noticed the Golf as a result of let’s face it – there’s not quite a bit that actually stands out on the outside.
Or possibly there’s? 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 should you look intently 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 underneath 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 either side to cowl the wheels. It was both that or having to slim the axle, which might have been extra expensive however maybe solely somewhat harder to attain in the long term. The flares mimic the unique Mk1 Golf black plastic trims fairly effectively.
The one different exterior adjustments are the handmade alloy bumper bars, however even these are considerably in step with how the originals would look although. Paint them black, and a big proportion of people that noticed them would most likely be fooled.
Get nearer, and it’s more durable to disregard the indicators. Positive, at night time, the yellow headlamps won’t be so nice, however they are simply plain cool, and I’ve all the time 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 exhausting to withstand making the Golf stand out extra. There’s no wild physique package and even polycarbonate home windows screaming ‘race automobile’, simply the physique mods I’ve talked about and a few tinted taillights. Oh, and the Volvo sweet crimson paint job.
However as restrained as it’s on the floor, it’s like a lava move 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 elements would have referred to 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’s some intelligent chopping occurring right here.
First up, you’ve obtained to take care of the principle impediment of the Golf initially being FWD. In spite of everything, VW designed this area for the transverse-mount four-cylinder engine to sit down neatly throughout the entrance finish.
However if you wish to flip the engine by way of 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 lower a gap, you’re weakening the shell, and that’s not good.
The engine hasn’t been left customary both. I assume should 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 will have had initially to circa 260hp on the Golf’s rear wheels.
Have a look inside the driving 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 toes.
Whereas the gearbox would have initially sat within the engine bay on the tip of the VW motor, now it’s in between the driving force and passenger seat. Once more, as a substitute of going for a motorsport-inspired shifter and even an aftermarket gear knob, Simon has used an unique Volvo five-speed topper. However then after I requested what gearbox he’s utilizing, he tells me it’s a BMW ZF five-speed! Which provides me one other head scratching second…
Right here’s a clearer view of the fundamental residence brew tunnel. Simon could be very modest concerning the construct and after I first spoke to him he was fairly stunned that I needed to shoot a function. 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 abilities.
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 just a few inches to maintain the angle good.
Now should 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 is likely to be small, little issues like it will all the time assist with weight distribution within the seek for that excellent 50/50 break up.
Within the rear the usual ground was fully lower 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 contemporary 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 – possibly 1000kg or much less – it’s like assembly your new finest 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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Pictures by Larry Chen
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