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Daily driven: Prakash’s R32 swapped ‘Jumbo’ is a street sleeper 

By Jehran Naidoo for Auto Rush

Imagine pulling up next to a 1991 Golf Mark 2 in your 7.5 GTI and getting dusted off the line like a cockroach. 

This could happen if the Mk2 you rolled up next to belongs to Prakash Praemchand . 

The cerulean cast Mark 2 maintains the original classy look the Germans wanted it to be, with the exception of the BBS LM wheels.

Prakash has kept the interior stock as well. The only time she really gives off modified vibes is when you turn her over, and boy does she purr… 

Opting for the BUB rendition of the VW’s 6 pot engine, Prakash entrusted JJ Customs with the  swap, a common name in the KwaZulu-Natal race scene. 

The R32 roar is amplified by the 57mm downpipes and the 63mm exhaust system throughout the car. 

The original 1.8 8 valve motor was thrown out as Prakash wanted to have the best of both worlds. 

JJ Customs tucked the bub neatly into the engine bay.

Best of both worlds

“I had a Jetta VR6 that I regret selling and I loved that engine and the noise. I have had a couple Golf 2s before this but this was my first Jumbo or ‘big bumper’ model. So I thought about combining those two cars and ended up building this,” Prakash said. 

As luck would have it, Prakash found a clean Jumbo in Cape Town that had been parked in a warehouse prior to his purchase. The car was resprayed in Cape Town as well. 

Brought to you By Hatfield Motor Group Amanzimtoti

“I think a lot of people will hate me for saying this but the Golf 2’s handling is way better than the Golf 1 of 3. It sits like a train on a track. The widebody gives it more stability on the road,” the Chatsworth resident said. 

In May 2023, Justin had completed the conversion and churned out a “breath taking” vehicle. 

“I drive a 7.5 GTI and I can confidently say this is way more thrilling. After that conversion was done, we took her out for a test and that first drive was breathtaking. The engine is a stock bub and makes around 176kw and 308nm on pump fuel,” Prakash said. 

Three weeks to Bingo

Justin Applesamy, owner of JJ Customs, said Prakash called him a couple months before actually doing the conversion and inquired about the R32 swap. 

“I spoke to him and told him whatever we needed to do in detail. Then we started buying the parts. We then began stripping the car and also changed the suspension. I also repainted the engine bay after we removed everything. 

“Prakash wanted to keep the OEM look throughout the engine bay so we just tidied it up and tucked some wires. We also fitted a hydraulic clutch. The entire job took about 3 weeks to complete,” Justin said.

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