The Golf Mk3 is a staple at every VAG meeting, known for its affordability and endless customization possibilities. Thomas Visch’s Mk3 stands out as a classic example of how it should be done. Thomas and I go way back, over 12 years, to when I first spotted his Golf Mk3 at the Midwinter Meeting of Team VW Speed in 2012 that I featured on Speedhunters. His love for the Mk3 was evident even then. At Royal Fitment, I saw his latest project and knew it was time for a closer look.
Imported from Germany, this Mk3 started as a VR6 Highline with a purple leather interior. However, Thomas can’t leave anything standard for long. One of the first changes was a new set of wheels. The Porsche Eta Beta wheels, a familiar sight on a Golf, measure 8×17” and are wrapped in 185/35/17 Nankang tires. For braking, a set from a Golf Mk4 R32 with 340mm discs was installed at the front, while the rear brakes remain original from the VR6.
What I admire most about this project is the choice of coilovers. The car rides at the height you see here, thanks to an H&R Deep coilover set, which allows the car to sit lower than standard options on the market.
Essential for any Mk3 are the Projekt Zwo mirrors, now becoming rare. The front bumper has been cleaned up, with the recess for the license plate smoothed out. At the back, there are red Hella Magic taillights and a custom exhaust tip peeking out, connected to a rear muffler.
The exhaust is paired with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, code BHE, from an Audi TT. The engine is so well integrated it looks factory-installed. It’s a testament to the skill involved, making everything appear OEM to the untrained eye. Thomas had the engine chipped, producing a healthy 270 hp, more than enough for a car weighing around 1200 kg, though it might be slightly heavier with the larger engine.
One final detail that caught my eye was the red gauge faces. I hadn’t seen these before. Edgar Schwyn, apparantly a prominent name in the Fiat Abarth scene, designed multi-piece wheels and apparently also these gauge faces for the Golf Mk3. It’s these small, personal touches that set Thomas’s car apart from other Mk3s.
Owner: Thomas Visch
Cheers!