Volksport draws mass of VW faithful
Kyle Kolybabi from Manitoba, Canada was one of 10 VW aficionados to make the seven hour trek to Westside Volkswagen for the Volksport IV Das Auto Show in June.
In search of software to boost the power output of his modified Jetta, Kolybabi also entered his vehicle in the show competition. The Canadian has added
$12,000 to $15,000 in modifications to his super enhanced Jetta in a short list that includes Neuspeed suspension, BBS wheels, a body kit and Magnaflow exhaust. The former Jeep modifier made the switch to VW when fuel prices started to climb five years ago. “I find all the aftermarket parts ... the obsession keeps going and going,” he said.
Kolybabi’s machine was among 120 VWs, with multiple examples of the entire car line back to the 1970s. Most striking from the old guard was Chad Erickson’s 1978 Mk1 Rabbit, a daily driver decked out with a Westvalia camper plaid interior and a 20-valve 1.8 liter turbo engine running 18 pounds of boost. “It can get out of any SUV’s way and still gets good gas mileage,” he said.
The old Rabbit turns heads on the highway, where Erickson often sees people snapping cell phone photos of his tricked out economy car. “The upholstery is what does it.”
Other Rabbits were joined by Golfs and Jettas, Sciroccos, Corrados, Cabriolets and a few Audis. Volksport estimated the crowd at well above 300.
Best of show went to Mike Olson for his 2003 Mk4 GTI, a 330 hp rocket featured in eurotuner magazine. It was Olson’s second Volksport win with his highly modified car.
