Since the magazine’s launch back in 1996, it’s safe to say we’ve featured some very special Mk1 Golfs in these pages. From Big Ron’s legendary Mk1 VR6 in Holland, to Danny Allen’s bright orange 16v from these very shores, there have been some absolutely mind-blowing creations over the years.
If we had to pick just one though - the greatest of all time - then that title would undoubtably have to go to this rather special Mercedes Brilliant Silver example.
We first featured German, Marco Haeger’s unmistakable Mk1 way back in PVW 2/99 after spotting it at the previous year’s GTI Treffen in Baarlo, Holland. Quite frankly, nobody - including ourselves - had ever seen anything quite like it! We later revisited the car in 2005 for the cover feature of our 100th issue (PVW 2/05), where Marco had improved the ’82 Golf further while sticking with the original ‘less-is-more’ theme.
Fast forward to December 2023 and - almost 25 years since that very first feature - the car is back again to grace our cover. Despite appearing very similar, a lot has changed! Not only does the car have a new owner, new motor and new wheels, that’s just the start of the changes…
Right, where do we begin with this mythical creation and the story behind its latest incarnation? Firstly, I think it’s best we introduce the new owner, Michael Sloopmaker. You see, it’s important for us to get across that this isn’t just some guy who bought a legendary car, slung some new wheels on and claimed it as his own. Far from it!
“I’ve always loved this car,” the Dutchman told us. “I actually first saw it at the ’97 Dutch Treffen, in Baarlo when it was still painted the original Lasha Green.
