Auto X January 1986

A
by Tim Suddard
A lot of Auto-X readers are
Volkswagen enthusiasts. In fact, the
results of our recent survey rated these
German jewels the second most
popular cars of our readers. So, when
we decided to bring you this German
Car issue, we didn't want to leave out
VW. Here then , we bring you not just
one VW, but a whole truckload!
Each of these beauties has been
modified by some of the biggest
names in aftermarket Volkswagen accessories, with all the styling and gofast goodies imaginable. Some of the
cars are simply modified for cosmetic
impact - and some are tricked out to
"go as good as t.hey look."
The cars are featured in the VW
Sport Caravan, a traveling tent
display that is trucked from track to
track where the Volkswagen Cup and
Bosch-Volkswagen Championship for
Super Vee cars are contested .
On these pages, we've featured five
of these VW's; GMP's Scirocco, Golf
GTI, and Cabriolet, and Neuspeed's
tricked-out Scirocco and Cabriolet
project cars.
GMP built three different Volkswagen project cars to explore different
areas of aftermarket potential for the
current VW line. Their project Scirocco, with its extensive body modifications, represents the ultimate in aftermarket customizing. The project GTI
was used as a research and development vehicle for the new generation
of Golf and Jetta models. The
Cabriolet project represents what can
be done with a few simple bolt-on ,....
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A CARAVAN OF VOLKSWAGENS
modifications.
A qualified shop must carry out the
installation of the Sciroccds slick
aerodynamically styled body kit. The
first step in the installation of this kit
involves removing all interior trim and
door panels, and exterior bumpers,
side moldings , and lights. The fender
lips should then be cut out and rewelded , to allow for clearance of the
new body work as well as the lowered
suspension and wider wheels and
tires. The body panels are then fitted
to the car, with proper detailing to insure smooth fit and finish. Finally, the
painting and all finishing work on the
body is completed.
The next step in this project is to
fine-tune the suspension . GMP installed a set of their own sway bars, Rennsport springs, and Sachs shocks/ struts
to lower and stiffen the car.
195/ 50x15 Goodyear Eagle GT's
were then mounted on 7"xl5" Zender
wheels.
The Sciroccds interior was also
modified, with the addition of two
Rennsport "Series 200" seats, Momo
"Cobra" steering wheel , and a
Blaupunkt "Aspen" sound system . The
result is a luxurious, full custom, great
handling car.
GMP then turned their attention to
the Golf GTI. Their intent was to explore the aerodynamics of the car,
testing the various Zender applications
to the U.S. GTI. Aerodynamics have
come a long way in the last ten years,
from the first fiberglass airdams, to the
ABS plastic pieces, to the new highly
durable P.U. rim material used on today's aerodynamic applications. Every
piece available for the new Golf and
Jetta models is made of this high quality material, insuring that the cars maintain their look over the years. These
pieces come primered from the factory
with a special flexible primer, greatly
reducing the preparation time in
painting.
The GTI was fitted with an airdam ,
two different sideskirt kits, fender
flares, a rear apron , and a rear spoiler.
GMP then turned to the suspension .
They experimented with several different combinations of springs and
shock rates that lowered the car as
much as two inches. They then
developed and tested new sway bar
designs and sizes, as well as upper,
lower, and rear stressbars. Wheel and
tire packages were tested in conjunc:
The GMP Cabriolet interior features Rennsport seats and Momo wheel.
The complete GMP suspension package.
tion with the suspension systems to insure compatibility. Everything, from
6"x13" wheels with 205/ 60x13 tires to
7"x15" wheels with 205 / 50x15
Yokohamas, was used to test handling and check for possible tire rub
problems.
The Cabriolet project was much
simpler, since the goal was to stress
easy, bolt-on modifications. New
pieces were 1chosen to reflect this
philosophy. The flare kit shown is a
simple to install, bolt-on application, as
is the grill and light kit which requires
no cutting or modification - other than
removal of the original light brackets
and grill.
After these pieces are fitted, the flare
kit and grill are removed for painting .
Meanwhile, stressbars, larger diameter
swaybars, and lowering springs are installed along with new Bilstein shocks.
The Cabriolet's interior was then
customized with the addition of Rennsport seats, matching rear bench ,
Blaupunkt stereo, and a custom ton-,...
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A CARAVAN OF VOLKSWAGENS
The entire GMPI VW project car lineup.
neau cover to ensure all-weather
useability.
As you can see by the emphasis on
slick bodies and luxurious interiors ,
each of these GMP projects are meant
to appeal to the broad range of people that the VW Sport Caravan enhancounters. The cars also
dle and respond easily to a driver's
touch , making these modifications
ideal for the owner who wants to enjoy every aspect of his vehicle.
However, autocrossers who would like
to modify their own VW's need to first
check their rules before they begin
work .
The Neuspeed Division of Automotive Performance Systems also had
eye appeal in mind when they produced their Scirocco and Cabriolet projects, but they made sure they included plenty of suspension and performance parts.
The Scirocco was modified with the
"Cal-look" in mind, using a black paint
scheme with blacked-out chrome and
red accents.
The color is applied to a Kamei X1
body kit, including front spoiler, side
skirts, and rear skirt. Volkswagen's
lightweight European bumpers and
red -accented Euro grille tie together
the exterior styling. European accessories also include the powerful
headlight/driving light combination.
These accessories from overseas are
a requirement with the X1 kit. They
iook great, but unfortunately are not
legal under many club rules.
The sleek look continues to the interior, where Scheel 205 seats increase
head and leg room due to their thinner profile. Scheel custom-covered
these seats, and also covered the rear
seat to match in a red and black cloth
with leather accents. This theme continues with a Momo "Corsa" leather
steering wheel with red stitching, and
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46
matching shift knob. The finishing
touch is provided by Neuspeed's latest
accessory, a three-gauge aluminum
panel which takes the place of the
ashtray (to the delight of nonsmokers)
and features VDO Night Design oil
temperature , oil pressure , and
voltmeter gauges .
All these accessories make for an
impressive appearance ; but Neuspeed
wanted to make sure the car lived up
to its looks, so they worked overtime
on the suspension . They started by
lowering the car 1" with four Neuspeed
lowering springs, adding a 7 / 8" front
and 1" rear sway bar, and installing upper and lower strut tie-bars. The sway
bars are produced from 6150 alloy
steel, mandrel bent. No drilling is required to mount them , using polyurethane bushings and Superior ball joint
ends. The upper and lower strut tiebars are also an easy bolt-on: The
lower bar is mounted with Super ball
joints to align the angled chassis, and
uses new grade 10.9 bolts. The lowering springs are made from chromesilicon wire, and are wound triple progressive rate for the tightest handling
and ride. Koni adjustable gas shocks
and Momo Aries 15"x6" wheels with
sticky Goodyear 195/ 50x15 Eagle
GTs keep this Scirocco on course and
level.
Neuspeed's Cabriolet project was
built with the same suspension as the
Scirocco. These pieces are all finished in a black powder coat, so the car
looks as good on ramps as it does on
course. The Cabriolet differs only in its
choice of wheels: It uses Momo Polaris
15"x6" wheels with 195/ 50x15
Goodyear Eagle GTs.
The Cabriolet's exterior was also
styled using the Kamei X1 Kit with
new square fender flares . European
bumpers were again added - a requirement with this kit and a problem for
autocrossers under most club rules .
Lighting is enhanced with Marchal
Ampiliux headlights, and a Hella grille
with built-in clear fog lamps. The paint
scheme on this aerodynamica1ly styled
project is an attractive gray and silver,
giving a sophisticated, low-key appeal
to the car.
The finishing touches for this slick
convertible were put on the interior,
which was modified to include leather
Scheel 401 seats, with a matching
Scheel-styled rear seat. Neuspeed
completed the interior with a black and
gray leather Momo Pininfarina steering wheel and shift knob.
VW fans can find ideas for their own
cars, or possibly the car of their dreams,
among the VW Sport Caravan roundup. Both Neuspeed and GMP offer
a full range of pieces, including
autocross accessories, for your favorite
car from the "fatherland:'
Q
CABRIOLET
Z-40 KIT:
COMPL.
REAR WING:
WIND SPLITS:
FRONT GRILL:
REAR REFLECTOR KIT
2357 .24
PAINT TO BODY COLOR
1000.00
7x15 ZENDER WHEELS
195/ 50x15 Tires approx.
335.71
89.21
101.96
74.17
1088.40
600.00
GMP - RENNSPORT SPRINGS
SACHS SHOCKS approx.
500.00
RENNSPORT SEAT "SERlE 200"
RENNSPORT SEAT "SERlE 200"
HEAD REST
SEAT ADAPTOR
MATCHING REAR BENCH
MOMO STEERING WHEEL "COBRA"
404.84
404.84
72.58
108.86
375.00
163.20
BLAUPUNKT SOUND SYSTEM "ASPEN"
500.00
approx.
FLARE KIT:
FRONT SPOILER
FLARES
SIDE SKIRTS
DUAL LIGHT GRILL:
276.21
84.96
320.00
PAINT TO BODY COLOR
250.00
6x15 ATS
195/ 50x15 Tires approx.
558.96
600.00
GMP - RENNSPORT SPRINGS
BILSTEIN SHOCKS approx.
500.00
RENNSPORT SEAT "SERlE 200"
RENNSPORT SEAT "SERlE 200"
HEAD REST
SEAT ADAPTOR
MATCHING REAR BENCH
RENNSPORT STEERING WHEEL
DUST COVER OVER PASS. COMP
BLAUPUNKT SOUND SYSTEM "ASPEN"
approx.
404.84
404.84
72.58
108.86
375.00
206.47
325.00
500.00
NEUSPEED PROJECT CARS
VW SCIROCCO
Neuspeed Lowering springs (set of 4)
Neuspeed front sway bar
(add $10.00 for cars W/ 0 factory bar)
N euspeed rear sway bar
N euspeed upper strut tie-bar
N euspeed lower strut tie-bar
N euspeed throttle body
Neuspeed short-shift kit
Koni adjustable gas shock absorbers (set of 4)
$185.00
159.95
139.95
69.95
69.95
139.95
99.95
263.95
CABRIOLET
Neuspeed lowering springs (set of 4)
Neuspeed front sway bar
(add $10 for cars W/ 0 factory bar)
Neuspeed rear sway bar
Neuspeed upper strut tie -bar
Neuspeed lower struJ tie-bar
Neuspeed throt\1" oody
Neuspeed short-shift kit
Koni adjustable gas shock absorbers (set of 4)
$185.00
159.95
139.95
69 .95
69 .95
139.95
99.95
263.95
Memo Corsa leather steering wheel
Memo Pininfarina leather steering wheel
with hub
158.00
Momo leather shift knob
28.00
Scheel 205 seat with headrest , bracket
(leather optional) (ea.)
447 .30
649.80
Momo Aries road wheels (set of 4) .
Goodyear Eagle GT tires 195x50x15 - See local dealer
Kamei X1 Kit: front spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt436.85
325.00
European bumbers: front and rear
European headlights (pr) .................. 269.90
Neuspeed gauge panel
19.95
VDO Night Design gauges:
117.00
with hub
419 .40
Scheel 401 seat with headrest , bracket
(leather optional) (ea .)
627 .30
Momo Polaris road wheels 15x6 (set of 4) .... 543.80
Goodyear Eagle GT tires 195x50x15- See local dealer
Kamei Xl Kit: Front spoiler,
side skirts, fender flare
............. 422.90
European bumpers: front and rear
250 .00
Hella light grille
89.95
Hella relay (2)
13.90
99.95
Marchal Ampiliux headlights (pr)
AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS, INC.
3300 Corte Malpaso • Camarillo, CA 93012
805.388.71 71 tel • 805.388.0030 fax • [email protected]
WWW.NEUSPEED.COM