Want your car featured in a VWvortex AUTObiography? Tell us what it means to be a Volkswagen enthusiast, and show us how you and your car demonstrate those ideals! Send this completed form with pictures to sbell@verticalscope.com.
This week, we have Chad Kreiling’s Candy White, bagged 2007 Golf GTI.
Vehicle Information:
Year– 2007
Make- VW
Model- GTI (2dr)
Mileage- 119,800
Color (Include original if applicable)- Candy White
Engine- 2.0 FSI turbo
Engine Modifications- Evolution Motorsports intake with K&N filter, R8 red top coilpacks, stage 2 REVO tune
Exhaust Modifications- catless downpipe, resonator delete, magnaflow muffler
Transmission Modifications- Audi TT short shifter
Suspension Modifications- full Airlift Performance series air ride suspension
Brake Modifications- replaced with OEM rotors and ceramic pads
Wheels and Tires- authentic BBS CH013 wrapped in Toyo Proxes and Mercedes Alphards with Nitto NeoGen tires – 18×8.5 front / 18×9.5 rear
Exterior/Body Modifications- color matched Golf GT center grille, Jetta chrome fog grilles, yellow FTP bulbs, in.Pro clear tails, rear wiper delete, train horn, votex front lip (rep), amber LED city lights
Interior Modifications- custom machine shift knob from VWVortex user, NewSouth Performance vent boost gauge, euro switch
Audio/Video- stock
How long have you owned this car? I have owned this car for just under 4 years. I purchased it on July 31st, 2012.
Is there anything unique about the history of this car? The car was sitting on a bank repo lot when I found it. I was not searching for a car at the time when I came across it.
What drew you to this specific car? When I first got into VWs (before I even started driving), I remember seeing a Tornado Red Mk5 GTI every day on my way into school. Ever since that car caught my eye I wanted one. Candy White was my first choice. I wasn’t even of driving age yet and I was ordering brochures from VW on the GTI and using the “build your own” tool on VW’s site.
What other cars did you consider? My first car was a 4-door Chevy Cobalt. Mainly to learn the rules of the road, safe driving habits, etc. I did look into a Cobalt SS.
What was your objective with this car? My objective of this car (my GTI) was to keep a simple “less is more” approach to modifying it. I also wanted to modify the performance, but nothing over the top.
What tuning style would you describe this car as? Euro, typical bagged Mk5 with Alphards, clean, simple, but enough to still stand out somewhat. I wanted to keep it OEM+. Also a slight hint of ‘90s retro (referring to the clear/white tails). I always had an eye for the Mk3s that had the Hella magic colour tails. When I saw Tom Whitaker’s white Mk3 on white Borbets and the clear/white tails at H2Oi one year I was sold on going that direction with my car.
Who helped you build this car? SO many people have had their hand in on helping me transform this car into what it is today.
What makes your car special? The people I’ve met and the memories I’ve made because of this car make it special to me
What is your favorite part/feature/function? This is hard to narrow down to just one modification/feature/function as I love the entire car altogether… but I’ll have to go with the air ride. The looks on people’s face when I air out are always priceless.
Who or what inspired the direction of modifications on this car? Myself, with the help of scouring VWVortex threads for tips, tricks, and other badass cars being built and showcased
What don’t you like about this car? One thing I do not like about the car is the insane amount of dirt the hatch collects! Or the water that runs off the roof onto your door card if you have the window cracked even the slightest. You fellow Mk5 guys know the struggle
What was your biggest obstacle in building this car? Money and time. I think this is an obstacle for just about all of us car guys. I’ve learned to throw the “Oh, it’ll only take an hour to do this” attitude out the window. Countless times I’ve thought a job would only take a certain amount of time to be left scratching my head and wondering where the last 4 hours went haha
How did you overcome the issue? Work harder and save
What would you change if you could? I would change the textured lowers on the car to be smoothed and color matched Candy White
On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the outcome of this project? 9.9/10
What would you do to the car if money were no object? I would like to have a rabbit front bumper to switch on and off (always loved the rabbit fronts with a Votex lip and fogs), a shaved engine bay, upgraded turbo and supporting mods, rewrap my leathers in a dark red, and a full respray. Hell maybe even an engine swap…
Who has been your biggest critic of this project? I really haven’t had much criticism over this project. Other than the typical “lower it” comments when I was “static.” Some things my parents scratched their heads at
What do your family and friends say about this car? They like it and enjoy seeing me happy with it. My pap always asks how my girlfriend is and I respond with “Which one? The car?”
What is your most memorable/humorous/embarrassing moment with this car? One night coming home from the gym I put the car into someone’s front yard sliding on snow. I was extremely lucky! I almost struck a telephone pole. This was within 5 months of owning it.
What is your favorite story about this car? I have many stories with this car choosing one is hard.
Has this car competed in any events? Yes. I took first place at VAGFair in 2013 for the Daily Driver class
What is your favorite place to drive this car? Everywhere! Mountain roads, cruising down the interstate, at the beach. Anywhere.
What is your ideal day with this car? My ideal day with the GTI is a cruise to a place to eat or stop and get coffee at, BUT, the place must have a spot where I can sit and look at the car :p. I love downtown street parking. There’s just something about seeing my car parked against an old downtown background and air’d out around normal cars. Another ideal cruise is on a windy road or around at the beach. Can’t beat cruising around with fellow VW’s either.
Who gets to drive this car? Me and only me
What was your previous project? None
What is your next project? I would love a Mk1/2/3. Preferably a Mk2 GTI in white with a VR6 swap. Sure it’s been done before, but that’s a damn good combo if you ask me! Big bumpers, quad headlight front. Or a Mk3 on Schmidt Modernlines. I have too many wants.
What one word best describes your car? Fun.
Any regrets? Tell us about it. Really none that I can think of at the moment
Anything else you’d like to share? Friends > fame. Enjoy the commodity of owning a VW and share the passion with others. It’s not a competition!
Owner Information:
Name- Chad Kreiling
Address- Cumberland, Maryland
VWvortex Username- chadk
Instagram Username- @chaddwickkk
Occupation- Insurance Agent
Club Affiliations– contributor for Condukt.co, show promoter for Dubs at the Gap
Thanks/Props- REVO, Kevin at Underwraps Automotive, NGP Performance
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Chad Kreiling Photo
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