In recent years the Volkswagen scene has exploded, with the standards being pushed ever higher at the top of the game. However, every once in a while, a nice tidy car surfaces that reminds us that keeping it simple with innovative touches is a recipe for a winner.

This tidy 1999 1.8 Golf GTI belonging to Stuart Tate is one such example. Built on a tight budget, it represents one man’s hard work and the results speak for themselves.

This mk4 is sitting pretty on 18” BBS LM Replica wheels, wrapped in 215/40/18 Falken tyres. Not extravagant, just a classic combination with well-coordinated black centres. What makes this car unique is its suspension set up. It sits on JOM coilovers teamed up with a Static+ kit from Stance Solutions, allowing the coilovers to be wound right down to achieve the desired stance.

The Static+ kit is essentially an air cylinder that sits on the coilover between the top mount and spring, and pushes down on the spring when pumped up for extra lift when required to clear obstacles. Stuart’s Static+ kit is fed by a Viair compressor and a 5 gallon tank mounted in the boot.

The 18” LM Replicas are 8.5J all round with an offset of 37, spaced out by 12mm on the front and 20 at the rear.

The bodywork features my favourite in OEM+ styling; a Votex front splitter with 25th Anniversary skirts and rear valence to create a stunning impression. The car also features a customised set of headlights with R32 style “twindicators” and US spec tail lights, with a set of Votex aero bars adding a finishing touch to the roof.

The OEM+ styling continues in the interior, with Bora vents and Sport clocks, re-trimmed leather seats, and an Octavia VRS steering wheel being the first things you notice when you open the door.

All in, this car is a very complete package, and Stu’s hard work has clearly paid off, although he maintains that it’s a constant money pit. He put a lot of his own time into the car, and was helped with mechanical work by Jamie at Moore’s Motors.

To me, a home build is what the car modifying scene is all about, where the car is not only someone’s project, but it becomes an extension of their personality. For Stu, it represents a non-stop source of learning by doing, with great results.

This car, however, is by no means finished – and Stu describes it as a constant work in progress, with plenty of plans for the coming year. Watch this space.

Thanks to Stuart Tate for allowing us to feature his car and Tim for shooting the photos!

High Res Photos available on our Facebook Page