Car Feature>>the Ideal Street Corrado

Is “sexy” a fitting word to describe a Volkswagen? There have been a lot of cool VW’s made over the years, but the closest Volkswagen ever got to a proper sports car was when they introduced the Karmann Ghia so long ago. More recently, there’s been another VW that’s stood above others with it’s sleek styling and potent engine choices – the Corrado.

Even today, these rare coupes are loved by both VW fans and by car enthusiasts in general. I remember in my pre-driving teenage years there used to be a guy in my town who rolled around in a dropped VR6 Corrado and I thought that thing was one of the coolest looking and sounding cars around.

As I dug through Kevve’s photo archive looking for cars to write about this month, I spotted this early model Corrado, which is one of the most complete watercooled VW street builds I’ve seen yet.

The car is owned by Kris Claes, who makes his living as an ACR engineer in the air force. Kris has owned this Corrado since 1990 and unlike a lot of cars modified to this level, he uses it as his daily driver. What better way to enjoy all the work you’ve put into your car than by driving it every day?

Body-wise, Kris has done a number of modifcations that give the car an aggressive, yet restrained look. He started off by having the car painted in a firetruck red color that he got from an actual fire truck at the airbase where he works. He’s also widened the steel fenders at each corner by one inch, and changed the front bumper and taillights to USDM versions (imagine that!). He also swapped the rear bumper out for a smooth one with no exhaust opening. Now, why did he do that?

Because he added a trick side-exit exhaust system that dumps in front of the rear wheels. This is certainly one of the most unique parts of the Corrado, giving it a tough race car look.

The car has had three engines in it’s lifetime, and the current one is based on an 1984 Audi 90 Quattro block. Kris actually got old engine block for free and then freshned it a new crankshaft, Mahle pistons, and a ported and polished 16-valve head. Power output is said to be 240BHP , which is a good number for the 1000kg Corrado chassis.

Kris didn’t supply a whole lot of info on the interior of the car, but you can see the pair of Sparco 2000 seats and the aftermarket steering wheel with a VW horn button. It also looks like he’s done some custom work around the dash and center console. Perhaps inspired by his aviation-related career?  The car used to have a rollcage, but Kris removed it so his wife and kids can roll with him in comfort and safety.

Now for the stance and wheels. First off, Kris has dropped the car an estimated 4.5 inches on Koni Racetrack suspension. “Real suspension” as he calls it – the stuff that distinguishes the men from the “toy boys” and their air suspension. The wheel setup on this car is quite interesting. Kris took PLS wheels from a 1977 Porsche 911 and had them redrilled to the 4×100 bolt pattern. Sizes are 15×9 in the front and 15×11 in the rear. Tires are Dunlop SP9000’s, 195/45/15 front and 215/45/15 rear.

The rear shot gives a better view of the fitment with those massive 11″ wide wheels popping out of the fenders. What do you guys think? Is it “hellaflush” or is that just a bit too much poke?

No matter what you think about the wheel fitment, Kris has put together a fine machine here. He’s taken one of VW’s most appealing vehicles of all time and stepped it up with a tastefully modified exterior, the right amount of horsepower, and the perfect attitude for a street car.

What else do you need?

-Mike Garrett

Speedhunters VW Audi Features

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1

It looks like he even has some type of sequential shifter too? I think the fitment looks great on this car, just the right amount of poke.

2

Ya for real is that a dogbox? I bet that thing is fun to drive!

3

it could just a be a straight cut gearbox with a short shifter ?

4

Little too much poke on those rears for my taste but overall it is a great example of a kick ass car.

5

Been waiting to see some pics of this car. Great job.

6

These things are way overpriced here in europe, for a 20 year old econo box!

7

that's one sexy corrado for sure. Wish corrado's were RWD. The camber is so nice and perfecting the stance

8

According to the spec sheet it's a "1995 VW Motorsport" tranny, but that's all the info that's given.

9

The rear wheels look awful, way too much poke.

10

One my fav cars of all time. HellaFlush!!!!

11

would be better with a VR6 Hood.

.

NAontherun, i saw a VERY nice mid-rear VR6 Turbo Corrado at waterfest a couple years ago. a nice deep metallic purple with gunmetal HRE twisty five spokes. soooo nice

12

15x11.... im so down.

13

thatt thing is sxc

14

front wheels could have gone 10" rather than 9

15

one of the best looking corrados, great car!



would be nice to see some G40 coverage this month, maybe a 101 wheels for cult cars.. RSL, Schmidt, HTN, Artec, Steffan, Brock, Tramont etc.

16

i dig the body styling, especially the front looks very mean. but the wheels... too much lip, too much stretched lip, and the rear ones... awful...

the shifter reminds me a bit of the cae racing ultra shifter... i don't think it's sequential, just a very special h-pattern racing shifter...

17

Hellaflush is right! Also, gotta love that "hippari" tire fitment. ^__^ Stretchyness FTW.

18

that wheel and tire combo is horrid...garbage



why would anyone do this?

19

Staggered tires on FWD cars is great if you love understeer and looking like a RWD poser. All that camber will have him replacing is super stretched tires pretty often in a DD situation. Voted lame.

20

wheel staggers a bit crazy, but the build and lack of air suspension is greatly appreciated. air bags are for mini trucks and vip cruisers. keep sporty cars, sporty. yeeeoow

21

Dish + Stretch = WIN!!

22

Why waste all that "real suspension" by dumping the car 4.5 inches? Unless it's corrected, that suspension geometry has gotta be way out of whack....

23

very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

24

I own one and I would never sell it. The interior of this Corrado is mouth watering!

25

mexi-flush. weaksauce.

26

Why does the rim come out over the tyre? And why are the tyres circular?

27

Thanks for this informative blog, I always enjoy reading it.

28

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29

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30

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