Stephan's Night Blue GTI

[Stephan]

After a few months of lurking around it's probably best if I introduce myself.

I'm Stephan, born and raised in The Netherlands. After I graduated uni I moved to Melbourne, that's roughly 4 years ago already. I'm currently working for a digital agency in the CBD as a UI/UX Designer.

I've had my fair share of cars which started even before I had my license. My first car was a British Racing Green Mini Cooper 1.3 SPi which I'd love to drive around town. With the Mini I'd familiarised myself with the limits of grip (and myself) many a times. Of course it didn't take me long to start modding, I installed a K&N 57i kit with a custom CAI, Cooper Racing stripes on the boot, 76mm Rover exhaust and some Cobra buckets seats. They're small little rockets for city driving and roundabouts, if you've never been in one. It's highly recommended!

Some photos of the Mini (and my dad's old Rover 45 - chipped 2.0 TDI):





The Mini became too expensive to maintain because I started driving more for my job. I decided to put it up for sale and purchased a Citroen Saxo 1.4 VTS as my daily. The Saxo was a nice car to drive, much more comfortable than the Mini but I missed the go-kart feeling a lot. I decided not to modify it too much, expect for a CAI and a Remus backbox to make it sound a bit sporty. I sold the Saxo around 189.000km with the view to purchase something else.


The Saxo 1.4:



When I sold the 1.4 I had managed to sell the Mini just before as well. With the money I decided to purchase a Citroen Saxo 1.6 16v which is essentially a crotch rocket. These small things really pack a punch. They're derived from the rally versions Citroen used to race from ~1990-2000. It weighed a low 910kg and came with 120bhp from standard. I unfortunately lost control on a country road and had to sell it in parts.

Because I liked that car a lot I decided to purchase a similar, but modified one. This Saxo went through various stages in its life, from audio car with custom door cards and a big sub to a stripped out car with a Group N rally exhaust, 24mm torsion bar, bucket seats, rally cams and a Gr. N ECU. As you can imagine, lots of fun to drive.


Saxo 16v:





Because I had my own successful sole trader business it was time to "grow up" as I couldn't really arrive at customers with my rally car. I decided to purchase a Mini Cooper MY15 which I drove for a few years until I graduated uni and sold it.



Photo's:





Finally, I now have a MY16 Golf GTI MK7 in Night Blue with DAP.