Who loves MK2s? Come on, hands up....
Sorry, that's a stupid question, thats like asking if the pope shits in the woods! Gareth tennant has had his eyes on the prize from the day he bought this beauty around 3 years back, and there has been no corners cut during his ownership.
I always remember when he bought it, he knew straight away the way he wanted it in the finished state, OEM+. he always said he never wanted to go over the top with it, just the clean original look, with a few little understated touches here and there. The Usual things were done 1st like smoked indicators, black badges and some yellow smoked fogs.
Engine was next on the cards, he, like me always loved the power delivery from the KR, that 4k plus attitude, where when you hit those sort of revs, it sounded like you poked God on the arse, that almighty roar, but enough was enough, it was time to go down the ABF route. He sourced a ABF lump, removed what he needed, which was the bottom end, rebuild it, and matched the bottom end to the KR head and all the other gubbings. Now the car boasts a lot better torque curve and much more driver friendly.
During the summer of 2010, the car then undertook a full ground up re-build. This included a bare re-spray in the original Royal Blue colour, and we aren't talking a shoddy re-spray, gaz ensured everything was going to be done to the highest standard he could afford, all windows were removed, because lets face it, whats the point spraying up to window seals etc...just pointless, a big pat on the back to him for carrying it out properly. As said, no corners cut with this shell rebuild so also fitted were new bumpers, arches, side strips, badges. Also new brakes, pads and bearings.
Time to strip
Not forgetting the interior, as this is where dubbers tend to let the side down....not here. New underlay was introduced;
also carried out: re-trimmed headlining and visors, re-built original rainbow seats. The inside of the boot was also re-sprayed to look fresh once again. it's now looking funky fresh, just like it did when it rolled off the production line, top top work once again.
Along the way, as these things go, it's never straight forward. poor Gareth is now on his 3rd gearbox, after the 1st one, the main bearing failed and the 2nd one was suffering from it jamming in gear. but as we all know, there are always teething problems, but we all ensure we keep battling away to resolve these problems....and fingers crossed, gaz seems to be victorious in this battle....
Recently Gaz bit the bullet and had some original BBS RM's made up to suit the car and his tastes, we all know you can't go wrong with a set of fresh RMs, they always seem to set MK2s off a treat. The centres were professionally sprayed in matching royal blue, with polished lips, finished off with gold bolts; wrapped in Toyo rubber.
R'mmmmm
heres the break down of the wagen....
Engine:
KR/ABF engine on K-Jet
Swiss cheese airbox with K&N
Re-built bottom end, all new bearings
Larger 52mm Inlet Manifold
Gearbox:
Lightened Flywheel
Short shift
Weighted rod
Chassis:
FK Shocks
Weitec Springs -80mm front -60mm rear
Rebuilt front cross members
Rebuilt rear axle
EBC discs
Pagid fast road pads front
Mintex rear pads
New bearings
Fully sealed and painted underside
Body:
Replacement wings (trimmed and Rolled), Boot lid, Bumpers
New Chrome locks and striker pins
Replacement side trims and new GTI badges
Smoothed aerial blank
Colour Coded roof deflector
Smoothed & colour coded slam panel
Exhaust:
4 Branch Stainless Manifold
1st box removed to original system
Interior:
Re-built original rainbow seats
Sealed floor
New underlay
New boot carpet
Willwood Brake Bias Valve
Black re-trimmed headlining, sunroof panel and sun visors
Wheels:
Custom made BBS RM's - 6.5 x 15
To Follow:
Complete new exhaust system
Staggered dishes on RM's
With all Gaz's hardwork, heres the finished product, praise is due, no over the top, no bullshit, no all out scene flavour, this is clean, OEM+ and how it should be....ENJOY
Actor and Owner: Gareth tennant, Wagen coming to a show near you.
Dubsy
