Randy's 16V ABF MK1 Golf Cabriolet

Let's hear a little bit about the driver - What's your name and where are you from?
Name is Randy, I'm from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What got you into modifying cars and what kept you in it?
I've been modifying pretty much anything on wheels ever since I was a kid. Started out with bicycles and skates, then progressed to go-carts as I got older, and eventually I modified my first car. I've always had a passion for cars for as long as I could remember. My dream was to build my own car with my bare hands – meaning I would do all the wiring, paint, body work, interior/exterior, etc.- with no help from professionals. So that's why I've kept in it.

Ok ok ok... Tell us about your ride, what is it?
I have a blue 1989 VW Cabriolet.

Exterior Mods?
Well, I think few people would notice exterior mods unless you are a VW car enthusiast! But people who know me understand that I like to be different. While most in the VW car scene would prefer single round headlights, I decided to go the other way around. I completely fabricated (with the help of my brother) the whole front. I decided to go with square headlights, Euro bumpers, and spoiler from a Rabbit GTI– and with a little of my own added touch, I modified my OEM front bumper lip to fit the GTI front spoiler. In addition to the custom front flare pieces I made, it tied the whole clipper kit together.

Interior Mods?
As far as interior mods, everything was also made by me. I got a Mk3 Golf dashboard that I cut to fit and upholstered myself, and I made the carbon fiber door cards along with a carbon fiber steering wheel. The only thing I didn't make was my instrument cluster faces, shift tower for my 02A transmission, and BRAUM racing seats considering I wanted to be comfortable while driving.

Anything special under the hood?
I have a 16v ABF build that I basically franken built myself. It's a 16v 1.8 head from a Scirocco and an Mk3 2.0 ABA bottom end and using a closed box ratio transmission from a Corrado. I didn't just want to paint and go with the engine, so I decided to go with a short runner 16V manifold that I upholstered to be different and made a custom adapter to run the ABA 2.0 throttle body.

What are some things you've done to your car that others might not notice?
Most people like to look from the front seats and forward. But what they haven't noticed is that I eliminated the rear seats, and made a little musical wall in suede with my amp and 2 speakers sitting over the lower cross frame. I wrapped this in carbon fiber to compliment the rest of the interior.

Anything else you'd like to add? (could be about anything) 
More mods soon to come! I will be turbo charging the engine and have a set of BBS center lock wheels that I have fully refurbished. I also currently have Fresh Reflections making me a custom radiator/inter-cooler package (direct bolt on) for the car. Stay tuned for more updates! :)