Ok, here we go...

This is my car, and I'm finally getting around to begin the process of putting it back together. I took it apart about two years ago, and it's gone through I don't know how many ideas, changes, etc in my mind of how I want it to look... and I'm still not sure... but what the hell, I'll wing it.

I have a color picked out, but I'm not telling until I start actually painting parts of the car. There are also a few other details I'm leaving out on purpose, and in the pictures they'll be blurred out until the car is completed. I am not setting out to build something wild and crazy, I'm setting out to build what I have put two years of thought into. Most people won't even be able to tell it's not 100% stock, which is fine by me.

I'll give the skinny on some of it...

Engine:

The engine is basically a copy of the European 2.0 16v motor, also known as the ABF, but with lowered compression. Golen Engine Service in Hudson, NH is doing all of the machine work.

OBD1 2.0 ABA engine block and crankshaft
2.0 16v pistons
Modified 2.0 ABA connecting rods with ARP rod bolts
2.0 16v head
ABF intake manifold
ABF timing covers

Transmission:
I've decided to go with a short ratio 02A trans from a B3 Passat that I found with super low miles on it. I'm not sure if a Peloquin LSD is in the budget yet, but I'm hoping.

Wheels:
I've been saving a set of custom sized 3 piece BBS RF's that I built a few years ago. They're 16x7.5 in the front, and 16x8.5 in the rear, all with half inch lips. The lips are already polished for the most part, but I still have to refinish the centers and barrels.

Interior:
I stumbled upon a set of Recaro Trend Toplines a couple of years ago for reasonable money, so bought them to go in this car. They'll be recovered, and the rear seats will be done to match, but no details right now.

Exterior:
This is where I'm keeping a few things a secret, and you'll just have to watch the pics and updates :)

Day I got it


This is some progress I've made over the past two years... not much, but hey, the cobblers kids never have any shoes...







Update 3/3/08 7:00pm

Here's some work from tonight:

Anyone can go out and buy bumpers... but not too many people can make them.

For the front, I've decided to shave off the turn signal/fog light holes, along with the side markers. Don't worry, I'll still have them, just not where they're supposed to be.

For the rear, I needed to mold in a license plate recess because I'm putting a later Cabrio trunk on that doesn't have a license plate recess in it like the one that came with the car did. I just like the look, that's all... and it's my car, so I can do whatever I want. I love the fact that I'm finally building my car and can say that.














Update 3/4/08 8:00pm
Few more pics from last night's progress after the camera died. The front bumper has been a work in progress for around a year and a half now... I did a bunch on it, then it sat for what seemed like forever. It's nice to have gotten back to it and start finishing it up.

Starting to smooth over the front bumper. Because I took such care in fitting the filler pieces where the front lights go, there only needs to be a skim coat over the front to smooth it out.

Here's the rear plate recess in its final spot, and about halfway welded in. It seems to take forever to get this sort of thing done, but it's worth it because in the end you've got a piece that not many others have.







The car had been bumped in the drivers side rear and required the filler piece between the tail light and the rear bumper. I had a parts car 14 months ago that I scabbed the part I needed off of, and this afternoon I trimmed it all up to fit. I also rolled the car out and sandblasted the entire corner, then self etch primed it.

Still a little more work to do fitment wise, but you get the idea.

Cabrio 3.5 trunk on and lined up. I had to put this on to make sure that the repair on the drivers side will end up in the correct spot.




Update 3/5/08 6:30pm
Few more pics from last night.