The VW Corrado: A ’90s Dream Car Revived

For many who got their driver’s license in the ’90s, the VW Corrado was the ultimate dream car. I should know—I was one of them. My love for Volkswagen came from my father, and when I finally passed my driving test, there was only one car I truly wanted. But, like many dreams, it remained just that. Even back then, you needed a decent bank account to afford a Corrado, even on the second-hand market.

For Rens Robben, the Corrado was also his dream car, until 2019, when he found this particular example in a small village in Austria. It’s an American-spec model, easily identified by the side markers in the front bumper. It even has automatic seatbelts, something we Europeans aren’t really familiar with. But over time, this Corrado made its way back to Europe.

Originally, this car came with a 1.8-liter 8v G60 engine, but it’s since been swapped for a more potent 1.8-liter 16v G60. Now boosting 224.8hp and 290Nm of torque. The G-Lader was an innovative supercharger that Volkswagen introduced in the ’80s and ’90s. Though it was eventually replaced by more reliable turbochargers and other forms of forced induction, the G-Lader holds a special place in automotive history, especially for VW enthusiasts.

VW ID. Buzz: The Only EV That Truly Stands Out

For me, the only EV that really makes a difference, purely on looks alone, is the VW ID. Buzz. We all know the Teslas by now, but every other brand seems determined to make their electric models so unattractive that no one would dare drive one for personal use. I’m exaggerating, of course, but you get my point. The ID. Buzz, even in its stock form, is a looker. But with the right modifications, like the one we’re featuring today, it becomes something else entirely.

Enter Jeroen Hendriks, the proud owner of the first VW ID. Buzz in the Netherlands to ride on air suspension. But there’s a lot more going on here than what first meets the eye. Irmscher, always quick to jump on a trend, developed a complete body kit for the ID. Buzz early on, and Jeroen? Well, he ticked every box on Irmscher’s order sheet.

Pair that with the extreme drop courtesy of a custom Airride setup from Bonhof, and you’ve got an ID. Buzz that’s turning heads at every event it attends. The wheel arches are fully filled out by a set of Vossen wheels, 22×9 inches in the front and 22×10.5 inches in the rear. But Jeroen let me in on a little secret: three weeks ago, he ordered a fully custom set of 22-inch wheels, and I can’t wait to see the final result once they’re mounted.

Berg Cup inspired 1000hp VW Golf MK1

If there was one thing made crystal clear at the VW Team Brabant event, it’s that the passion for all things VW is still alive and kicking. Stunning builds continue to roll out, and one that really stole the show was this Berg Cup-inspired VW Mk1 by Ricardo Kruijf. Positioned right next to the main stage, this Mk1 had a crowd around it all day long, making it tricky to grab a clear photo. And for good reason!

The first thing that draws you in is the deep Carbon Steel Grey paint, practically magnetic in its appeal. But it’s when you peer under the bonnet that you realize this isn’t just another Mk1 Golf. The original engine? Gone. In its place sits a CBUA 07K NA engine—a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder powerhouse originally designed for the American market, very similar to our European Audi RS3’s engine.

The list of modifications to the motor is extensive, to say the least. To highlight a few, the engine now runs with an RS3 crankshaft, DP connecting rods, pistons, and billet bearings. This is all linked to a 4-speed dogbox transmission.

As you look closer, the engine bay is full of custom-machined billet parts, from the intake manifold and valve cover to the engine mounts and oil filter housing. But the real centerpiece is that enormous Garrett G42-1200 turbocharger. Once the car hits the dyno, it’s expected to push around 1,000 horsepower.

Wheels Make the Car: 964 C2 Gets a Fresh Look

We can all agree that wheels are what really define a car’s personality. And in the case of this 1990 Porsche 964 C2, that statement couldn’t be truer. Owned by Tristan Eravegna, this beauty has been turning heads in the car scene for several years. Yet, somehow, Tristan always manages to surprise us with a fresh set of wheels every time we think we’ve seen it all. His latest transformation? A stunning new set of BBS wheels.

After rocking a set of body-colored Eta Beta wheels for a while, Tristan has now opted for something bolder. The new wheels, unveiled at the VW Team Brabant event, are none other than the legendary BBS E52s. Up front, they measure in at 18×9 inches, while the rear set is a wider 18×10.5 inches. According to Tristan, plenty of sleepless nights were spent perfecting this setup. And it shows. Built by MK-Wheels in the Netherlands, these rims feature a brushed lip finish. While the temptation to go for a polished lip must have been strong, it’s precisely this brushed look that makes the set stand out as something truly unique.

The car itself is lowered via Airforce Air Suspension, managed by an Accuair system for pinpoint ride height control. Tristan hasn’t stopped at just wheels and suspension either. He’s added a selection of RS parts, including air ducts and a rear bumper for a sportier look. The front lip? Courtesy of RUF, who also provided the exhaust muffler and steering wheel.

Retrospective Gem: A Rarely Seen Toyota Celica

At the Retrospective event by Revworks, I stumbled upon a Toyota Celica from 1984 that I had also spotted at Ultrace. While it wasn’t entirely new to me, it’s a car I know little about, simply because it’s the only one I’ve ever seen in person. This particular generation of the Celica GT Coupe was unfamiliar to me, just as it was to its current owner before he imported it from Germany. Gijs Spierings, a devoted enthusiast of 1980s cars, found this Celica in Germany and instantly fell in love with it.

In 2018, Gijs brought the car over and began a full restoration. But of course, the Celica wouldn’t be featured at Retrospective if it hadn’t been modified in some way. The most striking change is the addition of Advan A3E 3-piece wheels. These 14-inch wheels, with new barrels in 9 ET at the front and 10 ET at the rear, fit perfectly into the 1980s aesthetic.

The car has also been lowered, thanks to an Air Lift Performance 3P management system with a compressor and Seamless 5-gallon tank, along with custom OEM front struts and AirREX air springs built by StreetCustoms. To top it all off, Gijs added Auburn window louvers on the rear window and a front lip from a Toyota Cressida.

Discovering the Marvel of a 1969 Mercedes-Benz

My trip to Ultrace this year was one of pure wonder. Never before had I seen so many high-quality builds gathered in one place. Each car left me more amazed than the last, with so much beauty that it was sometimes hard to know where to look. Yet, one car stood out above the rest: this 1969 Mercedes-Benz W108 by Martin Szombierski. The inspiration behind this build was immediately clear to me.

It harkens back to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG race car, which gained fame in 1971 when it finished second overall at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. That race car earned the nickname “Rote Sau” (Red Pig) due to its massive size and red paint.

In Martin’s modern interpretation, the red is nowhere to be seen, but the headlights and other details are direct nods to the 1971 beast. Like the wheel arches which have been widened by 200mm, perfectly accommodating the custom-made 19-inch Mercedes-Benz Designo wheels.

One of One street legal Toyota GT-ONE

What are the odds of seeing this one of one Toyota GT-One in the Netherlands? Fact is that I found this example at the Louwman Museum in The Hague for their ‘Supercars of the 90’s’ display. Louwman is the Toyota Importer for the Netherlands and has very close ties to Toyota in Japan. So some friends in high places must have helped get this car on display at their own museum.

This Toyota GT-One was made to homologate the race car for the Endurance Racing Championship in 1998. During that time the name of the Championship changed to FIA GT Championship. Toyota was required by regulations to base their race car on a road-going vehicle. So, they built exactly one, but it was never publicly offered for sale. This allowed the GT-One to be almost an exact replica of its track monster counterpart.

Developed by Toyota’s motorsport division in Germany and the Italian company Dallara, the GT-One features a carbon fiber monocoque and body panels, making it incredibly lightweight. Behind its spartan interior lies a beast of an engine. Based on a block from previous Group C race cars, it was upgraded for this new racing demon. The twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V8 is equipped with two catalytic converters and a muffler, unlike the race version. The power was dialed back from 620 to 550 horsepower, but that’s still plenty to easily hit 300 km/h on the speedo.

VIP Scene Emerges: Toyota LS400 Shines Bright

The VIP, or “Bippu,” scene in Europe is still in its infancy, with enthusiasts looking to the OGs in Japan—the birthplace of the term—for inspiration. The formula is straightforward: take a large Japanese sedan, lower it with air ride suspension, and add a set of shiny wheels. It sounds simple, but like dining out, there’s a vast difference between Michelin-starred restaurants and a fast food restaurant.

The owner of this 1992 Toyota LS400 has followed the VIP recipe to perfection, creating a stunning VIP build that he showed off at Ultrace. The car originally came in black—a solid choice for a VIP build—but the owner decided to go beyond the standard. The car now boasts a two-tone paint job: the upper part in a shade resembling Millennium Jade, and the lower part in silver. The silver striping that ties the two colors together is a particularly elegant touch.

A body kit is essential in this scene, and it can make or break the look. The kit on this LS400 is the Evolution Total Systems V1, a rare find but a perfect match for the car. The custom LED taillights, made in collaboration with a friend, add another layer of uniqueness.