Project IV – Introduction

Did you guess the mystery project car? Most likely!

Well here it is in full view, my MKIV Golf 2.0 (or 2.Slow as they’re affectionately known). This is my daily driver, and has been for a few months ever since my last daily was totalled in spectacular fashion as I sat idle in a freeway traffic jam. It gets me from A to B in quiet comfort while the Datsun awaits patiently in the garage for its next outing.

So why is it a “project car” all of a sudden considering I’ve owned it for a while? Well, recently the temptation to buy a different car was starting to rear its head. I was browsing the online classifieds daily, looking at Toyota Aristo’s, S14 200sx’s, and even VTiR Civic’s. I was looking purely out of boredom for what I was driving. The Golf is such a great car, but fails to keep my attention, I just don’t like standard cars unless they’re factory built sports models.

So what was the solution? If I was to keep it, I had to modify it! How could I sell a perfectly good Golf without bothering to try to make it even partially resemble the crazy examples I ogle over day after day on vwvortex? It just wouldn’t be fair, all those great ideas would have been a complete waste. Additionally, the car get’s great mileage, is extremely comfortable inside, solidly built, and has 5-door practicality. Ever tried fitting a flat-packed chair and TV cabinet into an S15 Silvia at Ikea? I have! And somehow it all managed to fit, which doesn’t really assist my argument…uhh, anyway…

The plans for the car aren’t anything nearly as outlandish as the MKIV’s we’re all used to seeing around the internet. I want to keep it factory and clean, with a few small touches. Here’s a run-down of what I have in mind.

– Window tint
– Coilovers
– OEM style 18″ wheels
– All-red tail lights
– Designer fabric gear shift boot
– Partial de-badge
– Cut & polish
– Interior steam clean
– Blackened internal headlight surrounds

Those are my main plans. Pretty minor in essence, but they should all come together to make a nice and neat daily with a bit of style. Some of them aren’t really mods, but will improve the overall condition of the car. The tint is essential as our summer is just starting here, and the Australian sun will shine straight through my crystal clear windows.

As you can see, I don’t give it the same amount of attention as the Datsun gets, which is reflected in the cleanliness – or lack thereof – of the car. Once it’s squatting over some nice rims it will be privileged enough to warrant a bath & regular upkeep. Don’t get me wrong, all of my cars get any mechanical issues sorted immediately, regardless of appearance, but only the nice ones get washed!

Keep checking back periodically for updates as the car takes shape. Wheels, coilovers & window tint are first on the list and will be completed before the years end. The rest will trickle slowly to keep me occupied without wasting too much money.