2020 was a bizarre yr for all of us. Amidst the pandemic, the considered touring anyplace wasn’t actually crossing many individuals’s minds – and even doable – however I had to unfold my wings and fly. I ended up in Poland, the place I attended Ultrace at Spodek Area within the metropolis of Katowice.
That is the place I met Thomas Owczarski from Chemnitz, Germany. Thomas is a former carpenter who studied automotive engineering in Zwickau, and is now a improvement engineer within the rail trade. He’s additionally an skilled on modifying and tuning previous Volkswagen Polo 2Fs, with just a few examples below his belt.
Thomas’s 1992 Polo 2F Breadvan – higher often known as Rocket Polo in its modified state – blew me away. It was not like something I had ever seen earlier than.
A {custom} wide-body package impressed by these from the likes of RWB and Liberty Stroll, mixed with meaty tires and a turbo setup ensured the Polo actually stood out amongst all the opposite automobiles within the present, which is saying one thing. Sadly, I solely took a few snaps of it, so maybe it’s a narrative for one more day.
In 2021, Thomas returned to Ultrace – now at Wrocław Stadium – together with his orange Polo 2F Breadvan. The following yr he introduced out his prized possession – a second white Polo.
I did attend Ultrace 2022, however I can’t for the lifetime of me bear in mind whether or not I noticed the automobile or not. I do know for certain that I didn’t take any photographs of it, however trying on the madness via this one from Vladimir, I actually want I had.
That brings us to Ultrace 2023, the place this 1991 Volkswagen Polo 2F Breadvan pulled me in for a more in-depth look. The broad bodywork immediately gave it away; I knew precisely who had constructed the automobile.
Thomas acquired the Polo from a good friend who had purchased the automobile for its new suspension. The automobile was a bonus, so he was completely happy to dump it to Thomas, who may then embark on but one other Breadvan undertaking.
Just like the white Rocket Polo, Thomas’s purple automobile has acquired the identical {custom} wide-body remedy, which has added a whopping 200mm of width to every facet of the automobile. Together with the fibreglass fenders and facet skirts, {custom} entrance and rear bumpers had been additionally required. A entrance splitter and yellow-tinted headlights end issues off.
Throughout the exterior are solid carbon fibre components. Some are remakes of OEM components, whereas others – just like the facet mirrors – are custom-designed items.
Thomas drives the Polo usually, however as he plans to make use of it day by day, he’s made some modifications to enhance the automobile’s dealing with, whereas additionally setting the journey top. KW coilovers have been fitted, and all rubber bushings had been changed with Powerflex polyurethane equivalents.
For wheels, Thomas has gone for Schmidt Revolution Fashionable-Line 3-piece splits measuring 16×10-inch in any respect 4 corners. The +30 offset fronts characteristic a 4-inch outer dish, whereas the +15mm rears have a strong 6.5-inches of polished barrel.
It’s clear that Thomas spent lots of time on the outside particulars, however there’s a bunch extra contained in the Polo too.
Grey automobile interiors and seats with splashes of colour remind me of my childhood within the ’90s, so this one took me proper again. What’s additionally ’90s-spec is the banging sound system. So banging the truth is, that the roof has been braced, and for sound high quality your entire inside is layered with between two and 4 layers of alubutyl deadening.
What’s particular in regards to the system, is that apart from the fashionable Kenwood head unit, it’s largely made up up of old-fashioned audio gear. Within the ground of the entrance passenger footwell are a pair of Helix HXA 400 MkII amplifiers for 4 Hifonics ZX-M3 mid-range audio system and 4 Hifonics ZX-6.2T tweeters. The doorways are internally break up to have separate enclosures for the mids.
Behind the passenger are a pair of Steg QMOS 75.4 amplifiers – for the 4 Phonocar 737 Sequence kick-bass audio system – sandwiched in between two Steg QMOS 220.2 amplifiers that energy the 2 Cerwin Vega V124 12-inch subwoofers within the trunk.
“To construct one thing completely different to the primary Rocket Polo, I made a decision to look again to the place it began within the ’90 with automobile hi-fi,” says Thomas. “During the last three years, I collected NOS [new old stock] amps and audio system from all the great names at on-line marketplaces. The amps had been primarily present in Germany and Italy, the Phonocar audio system I acquired from Italy, and the woofers had been present in Switzerland.”
These with a eager eye may need noticed the emblem above earlier on this submit. It’s not one thing random; it’s been with Thomas for a very long time. Method again to 1998, when graffiti artwork was massive in Germany.
‘DFC’ stands for ‘Driving Fancy Vehicles’, and that is an early sketch of a emblem that Thomas sprayed in his storage. The insignia has adopted him for greater than twenty years, and he all the time finds a spot for it in his builds.
Underneath the hood, the inventory 54hp 1.3L AAV motor has been swapped for a 1.4L DOHC 16V AFH unit from a Volkswagen Polo 6N2. Inside, there’s larger ports and 256-degree cams; outdoors you’ll discover a custom-designed consumption manifold with a Okay&N filter that’s equipped cool air from a big duct on the entrance of the automobile, and a {custom} equal-length, tubular chrome steel exhaust manifold.
The header runs right into a {custom} 55mm exhaust system with two silencers to maintain the neighbours completely happy. Thomas says the engine makes a humble 125hp, however it’s excellent for day by day driving. The gearbox is a rebuilt VW G40 merchandise, and the entire powertrain sits in a clear and extremely detailed engine bay.
Talking of particulars, right here’s an actual blast from the previous. A real Speedhunters x TAKATA Racing tow strap that Thomas acquired again within the day.
Thomas says that this newest Polo construct was a wild rollercoaster journey, proper up till he left for Poland and Ultrace together with his mates. They’re a decent group who’ve been with Thomas for years. Lutz takes care of the welding, David comes up with the composites, Mario handles paintwork, and Ferry ensures the automobiles make it to the place they should be.
This construct, nevertheless, holds a particular place in Thomas’s coronary heart. He met Kai 10 years in the past, they usually rapidly grew to become greatest mates. Sadly although, Kai handed away final yr, so to have a few of his effort and time invested into this construct means the world to Thomas. It’s a automobile he’ll hold eternally now.
Will we see one other Polo construct from Thomas at Ultrace? Time will inform, however in all probability not he says. With greater than twenty years spent modifying the mannequin, Thomas thinks it’s time to maneuver on to one thing else. What he brings to Poland’s largest automobile celebration in years to return, we’ll simply have to attend and see.
That’s it for our Ultrace 2023 protection. Like many, I can’t wait to see what’s in retailer for subsequent yr’s present.
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
Further Photos by Vladimir Ljadov
Instagram: wheelsbywovka
as a result of@wheelsbywovka.com
www.wheelsbywovka.com
