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.

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 Ballerman Golf Mk1 nicknamed Flori

A car so clean it belongs in a museum, this is the VW Golf mk1 built by Jörg Ballerman. I’ve seen this car countless times over the years, but I understand why car shows are eager to show this car at their event. This time I spotted it at the recent Risenation event. It’s a stunning machine where everything, and I mean everything, has been replaced, improved, or chromed. The foundation is a Golf Mk1 that rolled out of the VW factory in 1987 in Mexico Beige with a 1-liter engine.

Jörg acquired the car in 2002 with 95,000 kilometers on the clock, and that’s when the work began. It’s clear that things got out of hand. Every bolt and nut has been chromed, along with a plethora of other parts. We’re talking about brake calipers, exhaust, fastening clamps, and the list goes on.