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Irish9 (Jason) This Side of Obsession... As for the story, its a long and bumpy one, but here goes. The obsession started young, around thirteen I think. Club H20 literally started in my back yard, or more correctly a house behind mine, and every morning I would walk the neighborhood delivering newspapers and I would have to stop at that house and admire the Corrado sitting in the driveway. It was my introduction to VW and already I was obsessed. It took a few years, but eventually I was able to buy my first VW, a 1990 Jetta GLI. I loved it, and everything about it, but after a few years and 250k on the clock it was time to find a reliable car, one with a warranty, and fewer opportunities for failure. Unfortunately at that time my needs pushed me into a Honda, but from day one I knew I would be back in a VW, I just wasn't sure when, or in what. Fundamentally I had a problem, I was a MkII guy, and the newly released MkIV's just were not what I was looking for. I took my time in the Honda to explore my options, and it did not take long to sort things through and come to find that the Passat was exactly what I was looking for. It filled every desire I had, good size, good engine, great looks, and most of all it was a VW. So, on a cold February afternoon I made my return to VW, and picked up my first Passat, a 1998 Candy White 1.8t TIP. I was in love, but little did I know how far I would fall.
As summer rolled in I found myself hanging with a new group of dubbers, and looking to know more about my car and my options. It was then that I was pointed to B5one, and I think I spent every free second for weeks reading about the potential of my love. I still remember the first time I met Ant (EliteDubs), it was cold and raining in a Chili's lot, and still I found myself going around his B5 in amazement, and realizing I had a long way to go. And I cannot even remember what I thought the first time I saw Julian's (djjewelz) beauty. Skip ahead two years, the 98 1.8t is gone, traded in for a 2000 V6 GLX 5-speed Satin Silver Variant, the car I had realized I wanted about a year into my B5 life. The obsession is still uncontrolled, and I am still chasing Ant and Julian, but every day brings some new thought, idea, or plan for my project, and B5one is inspiration and fuel.
As for the Variant, my goal with her is a simple one, to build a true enthusiasts car, to stay within the very best values of Volkswagen, and to do it all in a 25,000 mile a year daily driver. I look at the Passat as a combination of the very best VAG offers, a melting pot of Audi underpinnings and Volkswagen styling. I have made every attempt to stay within this ÒAll in the FamilyÓ principle while upgrading and have tried to stay within the Volkswagen/Audi parts catalog whenever possible and when not, only choosing the best options available. I also hold closely the idea of creating a ÒcleanÓ look, and most of my visual modifications are subtle. Much to the dismay of some I have resisted the temptation to paint my lowers, not because I do not like the look, more because I have tried to maintain a Black/Silver theme. Started simply with tinting the windows the theme is carried throughout by the factory black lowers, black badgeless Bonrath grill, and custom black roof panel. The Variant originally shared running stock with its previous sister, 17' Audi A4 Sports, however in an attempt to set it apart from the sedan, and a desire to have some dish, I choose 17' AT Italia Riva's. The Riva's simple five spoke design, and polished lip go a long way to set off the overall look and appear right at home surrounded closely by the fenders, which show an overall dropped of 1.5in with Neuspeed Sport Springs and Billstein/Neuspeed Sport shocks and struts.
Throughout the Variant mod's can be found, from the Hummer H2 Antenna, through the Evolution Intake, I don't think I have left any area alone, and there are many more ideas in mind. Many of the mod's have filled the dual purpose of function and form, these include the Aero front wipers, Polo rear wipers, 20th Anniversary steering wheel, Modified Audi shift knob, Audi cup holder, NB sunglass holder, and of course the Hella Projectors and 5000k HID's. And then there are those mod's that are for me, most notably the Clarion in-dash DVD unit, this piece alone keeps me sane on many road trips. With rare exception I have taken this car from stock to where it is now by my own hands, and those of my friends, and it is knowing this that makes it all the more personal to me. In my Passat I can see the hard work and thoughts of myself and my friends.
This year has brought me to a new place with the Variant, late last season I decided I would try my hand at showing, not specifically looking to win anything, but more importantly to give me a chance to show what I have done, and what I am so very proud of. It was with this thought that I entered the Waterfest show this year, and to my extreme excitement the Variant took first in Mod I! As much as it was never a goal, it was a great feeling and one I treasure.
Looking forward I am unsure of what is next for the Variant, more subtle changes I am sure, and maybe that nice PES supercharger when I hit the lottery. Either way I am happy with what she is, and look forward to what she becomes. I would like to thank everyone who has made the obsession possible, my parents because as much as they don't understand it they appreciate that it makes me happy, my girlfriend Kristen for putting up with me and my obsession, and although she doesn't share it she has VW love and has even gone as far helping clean the Variant for shows, Ant (EliteDubs) Dave (Iceman) Julian (djjewelz) Pete and Pike (collectively the EliteDubs Originals) for continuing to destroy my common sense and always being there to lend a hand with the next mod, everyone in CA-VA, and most importantly B5one and everyone who is apart of her, thank you again for the honor and continue being a great resource and community, I appreciate it greatly, as do we all I am sure. Mods Wheels & Suspension
*Upgrades made with original VW/Audi equipment
B5one is a licensed club of Volkswagen |
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