A Timeless Classic: Frits Mevissen’s Golf Mk1

Encountering Frits Mevissen’s Golf Mk1 is like running into an old friend who’s had a visit to the plastic surgeon. This car has been around for quite a few years, a common theme in the VAG scene, especially among owners of older models. They tend to keep their cars for years, continually making new modifications. During Royal Fitment I got to see the car again and it didn’t dissapoint.

I first saw this Mk1 at a VW Fanatics event in 2011, when I was still working full-time for Speedhunters and made a report on the event. But the car’s history with Speedhunters goes back even further, with a feature done in 2009.

Back then, the car sported chrome accents everywhere, from the trim to the fully chromed engine. The current version, however, has undergone a complete makeover, with all the chrome now gone. Just like fashion trends, the owner’s tastes have evolved over the years.

The Timeless Appeal of the Golf Mk2

The Golf Mk2 has always held a special place in my heart. When I first got my driver’s license, the Golf Mk2 GTI was my teenage love, a memory that dates back many years. A lot has changed since then, but the timeless design of the Mk2 remains an undeniable fact.

Even after 30 years, the Mk2 is still a coveted gem among VAG enthusiasts. At Royal Fitment, several were on display, but one Mk2 stood head and shoulders above the rest. Andrew Carter, the proud owner of this standout Mk2, made the journey from England with a few friends to attend the event.

The first thing that catches your eye is its striking red color, but it’s the details that truly impress. The hood was open for a reason: beneath it lies a 2.0 16v engine. Specifically, it’s a 6A engine from an older Audi 80, a popular swap choice due to its affordability and impressive torque and power. This one features ITBs, which no doubt make it a delight to hear at high revs.

Gallery: Royal Fitment Netherlands 2024

Royal Fitment has become a staple in the automotive scene in the eastern Netherlands. Traditionally held at Hotel Dinkeloord in Beuningen, this invitation-only event faced a last-minute venue change this year. Fortunately, a new location was swiftly secured just five minutes away at Hotel Ros van Twente in De Lutte.

Despite the change in venue, the event maintained its signature relaxed atmosphere and high-quality selection of cars. Originally a VAG-only event, Royal Fitment now attracts a broader range of impressive vehicles, including some stunning BMWs that caught my eye.

Check out the gallery via the link below to see the highlights.

I’ll have some spotlights later this week on some of the cars, click the link below so see the rest of the cars that were present at Royal Fitment Netherlands.

BMW 5 Series Touring E34 Wide Body

With the arrival of the new BMW M5 Touring, BMW is poised to break sales records once again. But did you know that BMW introduced an M5 Touring as early as 1992? Based on the E34 platform, BMW launched it with the tagline, “A superlative sports car, packed in sporty but never showy bodywork.” This was certainly true, as there was little on the exterior to indicate it was a true M car, aside from the logos.

While the car spotted at the Royal Fitment event wasn’t an M5, it certainly flaunted showy bodywork. Royal Fitment is all about stance, and for many stance builds, it’s more about style points than what’s under the hood. This BMW earned its style points in spades.

Based on a 518i, this showstopper was transformed by its owner, Niels Popma, in his own garage. The overfenders, supplied by Cliq Tuning, fit perfectly over the 18″ AC Schnitzer wheels (11j in the front and 12.25j in rear) thanks to a custom Mapet Tuning air ride system.

Hawkeye Subaru on Gram Lights

At a recent small get together organized by Epic Car Events in Holland I noticed I kept coming back to this car. There is someting about that just clicks for me. The fitment, choice of wheels and overal vibe just really work well. I’m no fan of black wheels as a photographer but in this case it is a good match with the silver.

What are your thoughts on this “Hawkeye” Subaru?

Gallery: Revworks Secret Garage Meeting Club

On Friday, I received a WhatsApp message with instructions: “First rule of Garage Meeting Club… don’t talk about Garage Meeting Club.” In a world where everything is shared on social media and there’s an event happening every weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect. True to form, there was no mention of it anywhere, no announcement, no Facebook event, and nothing on Instagram. But because the message came from Revworks, I knew it was going to be good.

However, I couldn’t have imagined just how awesome the Revworks Garage Meeting Club would be. There was truly something for everyone, from a Spyker Double 12s owned by a Spyker Enthusiast to an Opel Kadett D and everything in between. The success of this event is largely thanks to the team at Revworks. Their network ensured that over 100 cars showed up, making it an incredible evening for everyone involved.

I can’t wait for the next Garage Meeting Club. Keep reading for more photos in the gallery.

Hardcore Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16v EVOII

This is number 23 out of 502 so one of the first ones ever made. But it’s even more unique than the other 501 cars made because it’s a whopping 300kg lighter than a standard Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16v EVO II. Transformed into a true hardcore track tool, it features a fully stripped interior, two racing bucket seats, a roll cage, and race configuration, while retaining the original engine setting. Thanks to the stripped interior, this EVO II now weighs in at just 1030kg. What’s even better is that it comes with a road-legal license plate.

ALFA ROMEO 156 GTA SQUADRA CORSE CEA

Spotted at the Classics & Coffee event. The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA is already a unique sight on its own, but this one was even more special than the rest. The first thing that caught my eye were the flashing lights, followed by the stickers. But what truly stood out was something I spotted in the back – a full-blown fire extinguishing system. I had to know more!

It turns out that this is a Squadra Corse CEA Rapid Response vehicle. The CEA was founded in 1970 by Ermete Amades. Over time, the CEA Squadra Corse has become a renowned fire safety service at circuits like Imola and Monza. They earned the nickname ‘Leoni’ (Lions) after their heroic actions during the horrific accident at the 1978 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. During this crash, Ronnie Peterson’s car slammed into the guardrail after contact with James Hunt’s car. Peterson’s car caught fire, but he was rescued from his car by Hunt and others. Unfortunately, Peterson later succumbed to complications in the hospital.

But back to this Alfa Romeo 156 GTA – how remarkable is it that something like this ends up in the Netherlands? It’s a beautiful piece of history being kept alive by the new owner.