Owner Information
Name: Jelly
Occupation: Finding a job in motorsport
Club Affiliations: Team Workshy / NoRice 

Vehicle Information
Year: 1981
Model: Golf GTi
Color: Mars Red (LA3A)
Engine: 2L 16v 9a from a Passat

 
Catching a flight over the Atlantic is no cheap     
affair, but if one were travelling to Eastbourne, England,
it may very well be worthwhile. Catching a glimpse of
Jelly's Mars Red Barebones GTi racer is a pants tightening
experience. A realization of many mk1 enthusiasts wild
fantasies, now brought to life for all to drool over. Its built
to serve a purpose, and does so while looking drop dead
gorgeous.

 Under the bonnet lies a 2liter 16v (9a) donated from a
Passat. Twin Webber 40 carburetors are delegated the task
of feeding the engine a healthy mix of fuel and air. Exhaust is
dealt with an Ashley 4-1 mani into a straight through Supersprint
race system. A rebuilt 1600 Gti close ratio tranny gets the power
to the pavement.

 
On each corner of the car are Weitec GT coilovers,
standard 239 brake calipers, mintex rally pads, red Dot 6 groove
discs, and Mattig 13x7.5 steel rims. Poly bushings can be found
along with the standard anti-roll bars. With engine, breaks, wheels
and suspension taken care of, the car underwent a diet, with a
carbon fibre hood, fibreglass tailgate, lexan side and rear windows
and a single wiper off a mk2 to keep the rain off the windscreen.
Select portions of metal hiding behind the fenders and bonnet and doors has
been eliminated to further the weight savings. The interior is all
business, featuring a Corbeau bucket seat, a steering wheel, a
couple of pedals, and not much else.

Super lightweight, with 16 high revving valves and a firm
suspension, this rides a grin inducing palm sweating machine,
one sure to be an inspiration for years to come in the tight
knit mk1 community.

For the complete build thread, including many pictures of
the car in different states along the build, visit:
http://www.no-rice.com/forum/index.php?p=vt&tid=7680

Owner Interview:

1.   Give us a little car history
Well I bought the car just over a year ago after searching high and low for a 1600 GTi w/out
a sunroof, found this one. Bought it on a Tuesday, blew the engine up on Saturday, and that's
when this project started.

2.   What made you want to build it?
I was Studying Motorsport Engineering at the Uni and made this my final year project. I have
had previous Mk1's which I've worked on but have always wanted to do a complete build from
scratch so this was an opportunity not to turn down. My main aim was to make the car as
lightweight as possible and go further than just 'stripped out'.

3.   Who helped you out?
I have built this car entirely myself, except for a friend who did the respray. I have also had
loads of guidance from friends in the know.

4.   Least favorite build moment?
Getting covered in crap scouring the bodyshell and spending the money on parts.

5.   Favorite part/feature/thing?
The whole car means the world to me. I built it myself and know it all inside and out. The
experience I've gained I wouldn't swap for anything.