It’s one of the most widely known Golfs in the UK, possibly the world. One picture on a popular social networking site prompts instant responses from all over the planet, but what spurred Mr Matthew Balls to go back in time?

Words & Pics: James Wallace

Crazy yet inspired – just two of the words that sum up this car perfectly. They say there’s a fine line between insanity and genius and few would argue that what we have here is a mixture of both.

Much like Senna with a F1 car, god blessed a select hardcore of grafters with the ability to drop jaws with a MIG welder. Such individuals will probably never admit to being that good at their given niche whilst amongst company, but deep down we’ve all got mates who make things we simply can’t do look all too easy. Swines!

Retro progression

Of the many stories we hear about people heading out into their lock ups and turning out masterpieces, some of them really do make us sick, so how about a Mk3 Golf that looks largely factory, albeit with a US-spec and LHD twist, on the outside yet sports a rear wheel drive mixture of 1641cc air-cooled flat-four engine, torsion beam front suspension, Type 3 IRS and bespoke fabrication wherever you look? All skilfully moulded together as a bit of a wind up to make an impression at a forthcoming VW show. Ohhh... and did we mention it was initially slapped together in just three weeks? Surely that’s something you’d have to be borderline certifiable to tackle? Welcome along to the whirlwind world of Mr Matthew Balls, a world where air and water co-exist at a new level of gravity defying, front splitter worrying, tubbed out perfection.

PROFILE

NAME:
Matt Balls
AGE:
My wife says old enough to know better
OCCUPATION:
T2D Caretaker
FAVE MOD:
The colour

THE KNOWLEDGE

Engine:
1641cc dual port flat four, 69mm stroke crankshaft, 87mm barrels and pistons, Engle 110 camshaft, Weber Twin 40 IDF carbs, Gene Berg twin carb linkage, 4-2-1 header with Stinger exhaust, twin quiet pack for MOT
Transmission:
Stock Type 3 1500 Gearbox and IRS setup
Chassis:
Two-inch narrowed Beetle Torsion Beam with Sway-a-ways on a Beetle frame head, Type 3 Fastback spine welded to the floor halfs of Mk3 Golf, 8.5 x 18-inch 1552 Design RML Snowflake wheels, 205/40 and 215/40 Falken FK452 Tyres, Beetle front discs drilled to 5x100, Beetle drum brakes drilled to 5x100, T3 rear subframe notched for extra clearance, adjustable spring plates wound down, custom, notched box section rear end chassis setup, custom tubbed arches front and rear, bespoke engine bulkhead and hinged engine cover  
Styling:
US spec tailgate, deleted fuel filler flap, side markers and aerial
Interior:
Italian LHD dashboard and door cards, Type 3 / Golf / Beetle steering column and steering box with two UJs, bespoke T2D trim shop “Fat Biscuit” red leather, no headrests, Bug Tech Shifter mechanism, T3 pedal box 

Thanks:
My wife, kids, mum and dad, Merle, Tim and Sarah. Lee. The Beaks from Beakers Blog, The guys from fifteen 52, Iain at iKustoms, Ian the T2D stitch man for trimming, Marc Fells, Steve Allen, Joe the Tow, Andy Hobday, Paul at T2D for getting the wheel deal and ordering my parts, Bro John for the detailing

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQW-Jf7T2hQ,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsskcB9gXYQ&feature=related - build video

To read the rest of this feature see the March 2012 issue of Golf+. Available to buy here