Name: Ian Cushway
Job: Editor
Drives: AmD tweaked A6 1.9TDi Avant

What’s occurring?

The A6 had a Boxing Day makeover, but some swine’s scuffed the rear arch and I am having trouble polishing out the damage. Though there’s been no ice or snow, the Dunlop winter tyres are paying dividends; the grip on wet, muddy road surfaces is so much better than previously...

Name: Sarah Harrington-James
Job: Regular freelance contributor
Drives: 2001 modded Lupo GTI named Kojak

What’s occurring?

Wow it’s been all go on the Lupo GTI maintenance front. On went a NSF new wheel bearing as the original was making a racket, new aero wipers and in went fresh gearbox oil. Then the spoiler’s high level brakelight died due to water ingress - but removing the spoiler revealed yet another problem. Not only has the new paint bubbled up here, but also underneath on the tailgate itself - and there’s rust around the spoiler locating holes. Currently I’m getting quotes for a spoiler+tailgate respray; not ideal for the first week in January. Ouch.

Name: Steve Cresswell
Job: Brain
Drives: Octavia vRS, Polo GTi, Mk2 16v, Mk1 GTI, ‘72 Beetle

What’s occurring?

Well, Christmas was a bit mad as we were busy but it was just routine stuff such as a Golf Mk4 1.4 with a so called rebuilt engine that had seized due to a debris blocked oil pick up so a new genuine engine is going in. I am pricing up and preparing to do a major rebuild on a Corrado VR6 automatic, possibly even something interesting with the engine like a 3.2 if I can get it in within budget.

Name: John-Joe Vollans (JJ)
Job: Regular contributor
Drives: Mk2 Golf 16v GT (on carbs so no I)

What’s occurring?

What’s occurring? For the first time in living memory, there’s only one car on my driveway and its my daily Mercedes-Benz 190. The Golf has been stored in a nice cosy garage until the weather gets a bit better, it also means I can go round and do some tinkering under cover and bring it out ready for some track action in spring.

Name: Phil Weeden
Job: Editorial Director
Drives: Mk2 GTI
What’s occurring?

“A quiet start to the year for my GTI, as we spent Christmas playing in a Mini. But I did manage to get it cleaned at the Kosovan car wash the other day and the guys there loved it! Having not used it much since, it’s still looking rather tasty...”

Name: James Wallace
Job: Raving freelance contributor
Drives: B4 Passat Estate / Mk1 Golf / Mk3 Golf 16v

What’s occurring?

The dreaded winter blues seem to have kicked in over Xmas as the bleak weather and early nights take their toll. Took the fancy wheels off the Passat, but more importantly had the absolute pleasure of visiting something called the Laponie ICE driving experience, 50 miles from the arctic circle, possibly the most mind boggling race track setup I’ll ever see.

Name: Fabian Cotter
Job: Newshound (Nintendo-er full-time, GOLF+ freelancer)

What’s occurring? 

I went to check out what all this ‘Robin Hood-ering’ caper was all about by having a lash at archery. No bullseyes, but most importantly no distant cows injured either. Top fun, though.

Name: Mark Baker
Job: Arty bloke
Drives: Golf Mk5 GTi

What’s occurring?

The plan was just to install a sub in the boot and leave it at that, but now I can’t help thinking how much better things would be if I uprated the door speakers and front amp too. I just need some warmer weather so I can get on with it.

Name: Chris Hope
Job: Products Editor
Drives: Facelift Mk4 Polo 99N3)

What’s occurring?

Attempting to make good on my New Year’s resolution to find and buy a Scirocco. Sadly, a decent one seems to be eluding me...