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.

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?

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.

Dutch Koenigsegg Jesko Attack with 1600bhp

At many shows featuring supercars, I don’t pay them much attention. They don’t evoke the same emotions in me as a beautifully modified car or a youngtimer. But for this Koenigsegg Jesko Attack, the first on Dutch plates, I’m more than happy to make an exception. Because right now, this is the epitome and definition of a hypercar, or should we call it a megacar?

This car churns out a staggering one point one nine megawatts (1.19 MW) from its twin-turbo V8, which translates to 1600 horsepower, provided you fill it up with E85. This fact is clearly highlighted when you peek through the massive spoiler – there’s a plaque detailing what this car is capable of. Mind-boggling figures, especially when you consider that the Chiron Super Sport boasts the same horsepower. It just needs twice the number of cylinders (W16) to achieve it.

Home Built Mercedes-Benz SL320 on Air Lift

The Mercedes-Benz SL made its debut back in 1952, and the most iconic and now unaffordable 300SL remains one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Anything that came after had some pretty big boots to fill. Now, the fourth-generation SL (R129) isn’t exactly the model that sets my heart racing. But after laying eyes on this version, built by Harry Pippard, I’ve had to reconsider.

The foundation here is an SL320, a rare 40th-anniversary Designo edition from 1998. The color is a stunning blend of green and blue, much to my surprise, it’s standard on the Designo edition cars. While the SL’s lines remain intact, Harry has made some subtle tweaks to the bumpers and sideskirts. Everything’s been done by Harry himself, including the paintwork, right from his own garage at home.

Working in collaboration with 6ad Forged, Harry designed the wheels himself. These three-piece wheels come in 18”x9.5j up front and 18”x10.5j at the rear. The inspiration here is pretty clear, taking cues from the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II wheels, giving the car that sought-after OEM+ vibe.