It all goes back to my Grandad (now passed on) who owned Kombi's for the farm in Sunnybank QLD. My old man had a few Kombi's, I grew up in his white one (pretty much literally, Sydney trips etc) that we had from when I was 3yrs old. I learnt to drive in that thing and it is the most solid car I have ever known - maybe becasue it was such a big part of my life and Dad's pride and joy. Had a 2 litre type IV with a 1600 gearbox - very low geared and could carry anything including nine people regularly (youth groups - church etc).
Then my Aunty was getting rid of.. a Mk1 Golf LS 2 door (Oz delivered) in Orange. I did many mods to it including myriad engine swaps. it ended up with an EG 1600GTI motor with Weber DGV and had Boge Turbo Gas shock and king springs lowered about 1.5". A rear sway bar, momo steering wheel, electronic ignition, K&N filter, Mk3 14" steelies, large stereo with 15" sub etc. now you can see why I loved it so much. The mods I made were only small but the car responded so well and it would keep up with my mates rice burners quite easily.
Why did I choose VW's - I didnt choose them, they chose me, they are in my blood. I have tried to get away, with Subarus, Nissans and Motorbikes, but there is no getting away, as you all know. It is a passion of mine along with motorsports, which the Golfs can do so well.
Also - the Mk1s are so light, so well designed, easy to work on, so surprisingly roomy (I am 6'2") and are a very simple yet evocative design.
Would love to do a Targa Tasmania in a personally prepared (I will keep working on my skills) MK1 Golf one day, but will keep on dreaming as well.
Bookmarks