The recent “trend” for taking a watercooled VW and “dropping” it on an aircooled chassis has produced, what I feel is the most controversial to date. This example was snapped by Anna at VW Action the other week. Let me share my thoughts on this…
Although I don’t know 100% for sure, the chaps at Type 2/3 Detectives can probably claim the first aircooled into watercooled transplant to be successfully documented. And what a cracking car it is, the quality of workmanship is fantastic, I watched with real interest while it was being built and photos were posted on their blogs. I’ve been lucky to see it at a few shows, and it doesn’t disappoint. Really can’t wait till they finish that K70 estate!!
Back to the topic in hand, why is the white one “so right” and the red one all wrong? The Mk3 Golf has long been thought of as plump, overweight, and the Mk2’s fatter sister. And although it probably drives a little slower than Wolfsburg planned due its aircooled powertrain – if anything it’s likeability has been done the world of good. I for one am a big fan!
Now on to the Mk1 example above – by the looks of it a GTI (or a Driver model). A car that defined the whole hot hatch genre. Sadly, unlike the original GTi, this model seems to have been fitted to an aircooled chassis, and unless this is a really sorted machine (in which case I take it all back) I imagine handles like a tank and has less power than the original car… meaning the only good thing about it is the iconic Mk1 shape the donor shell offers. Now don’t get me wrong, i’m not for second knocking the engineering talent required to combine the two types of vehicle into something that functions but, is this a waste of a Mk1 Gti?
Would be interested to know your thoughts on the morality of this!
Andy
Both innovative…..obviously the Mk3 has had tons more work done.
Ill be impressed when I see an aircooled engine in the front of a golf (mk1 or other)
Both innovative…..obviously the Mk3 has had tons more work done.
Ill be impressed when I see an aircooled engine in the front of a golf (mk1 or other)
Si Clops – I just spent half an hour searching for “that air-cooled mk1 I saw that time” before the wife pointed out it was a mk3 and I needed my memory looking at 🙂
Si Clops – I just spent half an hour searching for “that air-cooled mk1 I saw that time” before the wife pointed out it was a mk3 and I needed my memory looking at 🙂
I would be the first person on any type of thread/post about saying it is the persons car and what they do to there car is there choice, etc, etc; but in this case i do have to say why would you.
I personally think that it is wrong and shouldn’t be done, but would have to, at the same time, say well done to them for getting it to work. I am still left with this thought that it is just pure wrong, like taking your nan to a screamer metal band moshpit, just shouldn’t be done.
I would be the first person on any type of thread/post about saying it is the persons car and what they do to there car is there choice, etc, etc; but in this case i do have to say why would you.
I personally think that it is wrong and shouldn’t be done, but would have to, at the same time, say well done to them for getting it to work. I am still left with this thought that it is just pure wrong, like taking your nan to a screamer metal band moshpit, just shouldn’t be done.