Let's hear a little bit about the driver - What's your name and where are you from?
My names Oli Knowles, and I’m from the South-West of England
What got you into modifying cars and what kept you in it?
I’ve always had an engine themed life, growing up with my dad who was a mechanic and rode motorbikes, along with going to events like Goodwood Festival of speed and Revival. I remember really getting into modifying cars when I was 15/16, I spotted a mk1 golf in the car park of a Goodwood event and instantly wanted one. On a holiday with my family, we stopped in a service station, and my Dad came out with a Golf+ magaizine with Jason Buckleys Lemon Yellow Series 1 Mk1 (if you know you know) on the cover. That opened my eyes to the world of the VW scene and car modding beyond.
That summer I then saved up and bought my first car, a 4 door MK1 golf 1.3CL 4 speed, completely standard low mileage. Over time I lowered it, various wheels, CBR600 bike carbs, 4 branch manifold. I loved that car, it wasn’t quick but revved off the clock and was so fun. (I’ve included a pic of this too)
Ok ok ok... Tell us about your ride, what is it?
This car is a 1984 Mk2 Golf CL Type 19, and is a LHD import from Germany. Originally a 1.6 auto.
Exterior Mods?
Exterior it’s very original and OEM. It has 16inch Renault steel wheels which I’ve had painted in Reflex Silver, and coilovers to bring it down to earth. It’s majority original paint other than a wing and the bonnet, that are slightly different shades of beige. It has been freshened up all over by my brother (an award winning detailer), full correction detail, trims, engine bay, inner arches, underside etc. It has a few marks and dings but for me originality and stories are what cars are all about.
Interior Mods?
The inside is also orignal, all brown trim and beige cloth. All in amazing condition. My only additions are a brown Mk1 Scirocco steering wheel and golf ball gear knob.
Anything special under the hood?
Under the hood sits an AGU 1.8 20v Turbo from an Audi A3 with hydralic clutch linked to a Corrado pedalbox. There’s a front mount intercooler, Pipercorss intake and Trackslag downpipe and exhaust system. I’ve re-plumbed the washer from the boot to clean up the bay a bit too. It’s been remapped to 190-200bhp, so is fairly nippy, but nice and usable returning good mpg. It gets used daily as well as long journeys to shows, and trips out.
What are some things you've done to your car that others might not notice?
It has some 8v GTI breaks currently fitted, but I’ve got some 16v to replace them soon for more stopping power.
Anything else you'd like to add? (could be about anything)
I actually bought the car with the conversion already done and just carried out my smaller changes mentioned above. There aren’t any particularly fancy bits or anything over the top, as I said earlier, for me it’s about originality. I wasn’t looking to buy a modded car. I needed a daily, and was hunting for a 9n3 GTI when I saw this come up for sale. I’m an N/a guy at heart but if I was to do a turbo swap, this car is exactly what it would be. I therefore booked a viewing and as soon as I saw it sitting on the drive I knew I had to have it. There’s becoming less and less old cars about that haven’t been painted or ‘over-worked’. I’m far from a purist but love the way originality and patina have a story tell a story.
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