The Ultimate Ford Escort Cosworth by RS-Tuning

The Ford Escort RS Cosworth shouldn’t need an introduction. If, like me, you’ve been obsessed with cars for as long as you can remember, this rally-bred legend has, at some point, held a firm spot in your top three must-own cars. Fast forward to 2025, and prices are only heading in one direction—up. A well-kept example will now set you back a cool €80,000. Those who got in before the hype? Sitting pretty.

But here’s the thing some people don’t care about the skyrocketing values. Some people just want to build their perfect version of an all-time great. And honestly? That’s exactly the kind of passion I respect.

Enter Árpád Lakatos of RS-Tuning in Hungary. In his eyes, he’s created the ultimate Escort RS Cosworth. And looking at the result, it’s hard to argue. The first thing that grabs you is the stance—the car sits impossibly low, thanks to a fully custom-built airride setup. No off-the-shelf system exists for this car, so Árpád and his team had to develop their own, opting for a Grinds air management system to control it all.

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.

Reviving Legends: Mercedes 190E Evo II Replica

Lowering a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II over a set of BBS wheels? I can almost hear the purists falling off their chairs. But fear not, this is a replica. And it’s so meticulously crafted that you can barely tell the difference from the outside. I spotted this gem at Ultrace, lined up with other classic models from the Mercedes-Benz catalogue.

These days, you can transform a standard Mercedes-Benz 190E into a true legend. A quick search for an Evo II body kit for the Mercedes-Benz 190E yields plenty of results on Google. So, if you own a 190E, the possibilities are endless. Genuine Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution IIs have become prohibitively expensive, which isn’t surprising given that only 502 units were ever made. If recent auction prices are anything to go by, they now fetch no less than €300,000.

Back to this well-crafted replica, the owner has added several personal touches. Most striking are the BBS LM wheels that fill the wheel arches nicely, thanks in part to the air ride suspension.

Close Encounter with the Kremer Porsche 935 K3

With the upcoming 24hrs of Le Mans that starts on the 15th of June I was thinking about this Kremer K3. I’ve had the privilege of examining different Kremer Porsche 935 K3 up close many times. But never quite like this. During the “International Club Day of Porsche Friends” in Dinslaken, Kremer Racing had their own stand, and this car was the highlight of the day. As visitors, we were even lucky enough to hear the engine roar to life, experiencing it in all its glory.

The K3 Porsches come in many forms and variants, making it tough to judge a K3 purely by its appearance. Thankfully, as photographers, we often have a cheat sheet by the car with all the essential details. Unfortunately, Kremer was brief in this case, so I can’t confirm what kind of racing history this particular car has.

What I do know is that this is a Porsche 935 K3/80. The number 80 corresponds to the specifications of that year—1980, in this case. Each year, the Group 5 regulations were reviewed and adjusted as necessary. The yearly adjustment of the regulations meant that Kremer Racing had to modify their cars every season to stay competitive. This constant evolution was a hallmark of their engineering prowess. The relentless pursuit of perfection kept Kremer Racing at the forefront of motorsport, adapting and innovating to meet the ever-changing demands of the racing world.

A Classic Dream: BMW E28 5 Series

The BMW E28 5 Series is a personal favorite of mine. I’ve been toying with the idea of buying one as a project car for years. Some enthusiasts, however, turn dreams into reality. Dries de Vries is one such enthusiast and he brought his car to Royal Fitment. His BMW 525 is a testament to dedication and passion. After some serious elbow grease to rid the car of rust, it now gleams beautifully.

Many owners opt for air ride suspension to lower their E28s. This allows for either tucking the top of the wheel into the wheel arch or letting the wheel arch sit right on the edge of the wheel. Personally, I prefer the latter look. Dries, however, chose a different route, lowering his car with a BC Racing Extreme Low coilover kit. This setup requires maintaining some space between the wheels and the arches, providing a cleaner look even when driving. It all boils down to personal preference.

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 2002 Turbo at Gallery Aaldering

Every car enthusiast in the Netherlands knows about Gallery Aaldering, whether from TV or their showroom in Brummen. Since its establishment in 1975, Gallery Aaldering has grown into one of the largest classic car dealerships in Europe. They’ve kept their garage in Brummen all this time, and funnily enough, that happens to be the town I grew up in. Nowadays, I live just a stone’s throw away.

So, whenever something new comes in that piques my interest, I know the way to their showroom. In this case, I spotted an original BMW 2002 Turbo had arrived, time to get up close and personal. This particular model is from 1975, coincidentally the same year Gallery Aaldering was founded.