VW`s mod duo hits the road

VW's mod duo hits the road
N
euspeed Division of Automo·
tive Performance Systems,
a California -based company,
was given the task that any company (or
person, for that matter) would be proud
to tackle. In fact , it is a job that anyone
would want to do - not have to do.
Imagine being selected by Yolks·
wagen of America to revamp two of
their most exciting 1985 vehicles, the
Cabriolet and the Sci rocco, and then to
take them on the road to show them off
at VW-sponsored events such as all rna ·
jor Super Vee, VW Cup and CART races.
The trick of the job was to create a
modification that would stand out from
all the others (and there is plenty of
competition in this area). There were no
restrictions. Neuspeed was given a free·
hand in choosing the accessories and
color coordination to be used on the
cars. The cars were not only to be trendsetters cosmetically but also have
superior handling and cornering char·
acteristics which would make the afi·
cionado drool.
Each vehicle would be taken to the
race tracks in a custom-painted VW
Sport Caravan, which also carried a
large black-and -white tent for outdoor
use. The cars were placed on elevated
platforms with special lighting so that
enthusiasts could meticulously inspect
them.
It is a challenge that any company
would jump at. It is also one that puts
the reputation of the company on the
line. If you are to be put on the pedestal,
you have to present your best effort. The
44
lmpartCar
MARCH 1986
following are the modifications done on
the Cabriolet and Scirocco by Neu speed.
To the Cabriolet, Neuspeed added
the following suspension components:
front and rear sway bars, upper and
lower strut tie -bars and triple progressive rate lowering springs, plus Koni
externally adjustable front gas shocks
and Koni adjustable rear shocks. To top
off the suspension package, Momo Polaris 15x6 wheels with 50 series
Goodyear Eagle GTs were added as an
improvement for handling.
The Kamei X1 kit was used on the ex·
terior of the Scirocco which in·
eluded square fender flares, a front
spoiler, and side skirts. These have to be
used with a VW European bumpers. To
accent the silver cabriolet, the lower
portion of the car was painted with An·
thracite, which is a dark metallic gray.
The front of the car was enhanced with
Marchal headlights and a Hella grille
with built-in fog lamps.
Creature comforts in the form of
Scheel 401 seats were added to the interior. They were covered with black and
light gray Connolly leather with Scheel·
style rear seats to match. A black and
gray Momo Pininfarina steering wheel
and shift knob neatly finished off the in·
terior.
The Scirocco was built on a more
traditional California trend, all black
with accenting red trim. On an all black
car, the same Kamei X1 kit was installed with the front spoiler, side skirts
and rear skirts. Lightweight VW euro
bumpers with an applied red accent
plus a red accented grille completed the
exterior styling.
The same suspension that was used
on the Cabriolet was used on the Sci rocco: Neuspeed sway bars, front and rear,
upper and lower strut tie -bars, triple
progressive rate springs (black powder
coated), and Koni adjustable gas shocks
for the front and rear.
The lighting was supplied by a euro
headlight/driving light combination.
Handling was improved by using 50 series Eagle GTs mounted on Momo Aries
15x6 wheels in polished aluminum with
black accents.
The interior is where the two cars dif·
fer. The Scirocco's interior is more
plush, but also more subtle than the
Cabriolet. The Sci rocco used a Scheel
205 seat which has a thinner profile to
increase head and leg room. It was
covered in black leather trim to high·
light a special black cloth inset with
flecked red accents (remember the col·
ors on the outside). The rear seat was
upholstered in a similar manner. To
match the seats, a Momo Corsa leather
steering wheel with red stitching and a
Momo shift knob were added.
Taking the place of the ashtray com·
partment was a three-gauge aluminum
panel featuring the VDO Night Design
oil temperature, oil pressure and
voltmeter gauges.
These two modifications toured to
rave reviews. It is probably a road show
that will happen again.
•
AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS, INC.
3300 Corte Malpaso • Camarillo, CA 93012
805.388.71 71 tel • 805.388.0030 fax • [email protected]
WWW.NEUSPEED.COM