Let's hear a little bit about the driver - What's your name and where are you from?
My name is David Ferreira, and I’m from Cumberland, Rhode Island.
What got you into modifying cars and what kept you in it? First Car or First Mod/Wrenching job?
It started back in high school. The Corrado was my first Volkswagen, and I daily drove it through high school, college, and even retail work. Like many early builds, it took its fair share of abuse — from door dings to careless drivers. One day, it got hit by an Escalade that ran a stop sign, and I had to make a choice: part it out or fix it up.
I chose the second option — and that decision sparked everything that followed. What kept me in it? The satisfaction of bringing the car back better than ever, the creative freedom, and the VW community itself.
Tell us about your ride, what is it?
It’s a 1991 VW Corrado G60, but it’s far from stock. I've owned it since May 2000, so it's been with me for over two decades now. Originally a 1.8L 8V G60, it’s now running a 2.0L ABA 16V OBD2 Turbo swap from a ‘97 Jetta, and the entire car has evolved into a full Euro-inspired OEM+ build.
The car was even featured in Eurotuner Magazine back in March 2012 — back then it had a slightly different setup, but the core of the build has remained strong.
Exterior Mods?
The car was repainted in SLC Classic Green Pearl (LC6U) in 2008, and the exterior styling has been a slow evolution toward a clean Euro OEM+ look. Highlights include:
- SLC hood and Mattig badgeless grille with a custom 16VT emblem
- RS-style bumper, M3-style side skirts, and DDI rear valance
- Euro G60 clear turn signals and smoked E-Code headlights
- Sprinter fender vent, Audi A6 handles, and A4 smoked markers
- Shaved moldings, emblems, rolled fenders, and a B3 Passat moonroof
- Custom red taillights, TM Tuning aero wipers, and a SpoonFed carbon fiber rain tray cover
Interior Mods?
The interior is a fully loaded Euro spec setup with some rare and OEM+ touches:
- OEM Euro Ultra Violet Recaro seats and door cards
- Euro manual seat belts and pillars, under-dash trays, and leather steering wheel
- OEM 160mph cluster, SLC door sills, and VW Motorsport shift knob
- Custom boost controller switch built into the cruise control lever
- Auto Meter gauges (boost, AFR, oil, fuel) tucked into vent and cubby slots
- SpoonFed Tuning Corrado script carpets, Passat cup holder, and rearview mirror sun visor
Anything special under the hood?
Absolutely. It’s a 2.0L ABA 16V with an OBD2 swap, running a Precision 5431E CEA turbo, a custom BBM short-runner intake, JE forged pistons, and 42lb Green Top injectors, all controlled via a C2 Motorsports chip.
Supporting mods include:
- Custom turbo-back 3” stainless exhaust with VR6 cat and dual mufflers
- Front-mount intercooler, Turbo XS dual-stage boost controller
- Gruvenparts billet hardware, custom valve cover, and a full oil cooler kit
- Forge diverter valve, Euro cam, and a solid front motor mount
It’s all about blending performance with reliability — I was tired of rebuilding Gladders every few years.
What are some things you've done to your car that others might not notice?
There are quite a few subtle details:
- Custom 16VT front emblem from Renewart
- Shaved side moldings, emblems, and a clean rear wiper delete
- Custom switchgear and lighting, like the OBD2 check engine light and integrated boost controller switch
- Original Design5000 reproduction wheel stickers
Anything else you'd like to add?
It’s been a long journey, but a rewarding one. The Corrado has gone through many phases, and I’ve continued evolving it with small but meaningful changes — particularly with the interior, audio system, and Euro-style visual upgrades.
Photographers:
- Indepic.Films
- JCole Photography
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