Donuts (Joe)

First off, let me thank Bryan and the mods here at B5one for the honor of being selected oneB5 for May 2006!

Truthfully, I've never set out to build a car that was recognized by others. Modding my Passat has simply been about the satisfaction of doing it all myself and making it different enough to put a smile on my face when I see it from across the parking lot in a sea of sameness. But I guess the fact that I've been stopped by pedestrians while at stop lights so I could explain 'what was it that was different on my car' or run down outside Pep Boys by an Audi A6 owner who wanted to know 'whether my wheels were OEM' tells me it gets noticed. So thanks to the B5one crew for giving me this moment in the spotlight. Bryan's note made my month!

My introductions to Volkswagens came back in 1998 when I was looking for my very first car in advance of graduate school in the sticks of State College, PA. Prior to that, I didn't need to own a car as I was on the road all the time as a consultant. Anyone up for rentals 365 days a year? To say I was an expert in General Motors' mid-90s product portfolio is putting it mildly. Anyway, back to VWs. The girl I was dating at the time grew up in a VW family and she suggested I try out a Jetta or Golf given my horrid experiences with rentals of American cars. The only warnings she gave were that Volkswagen ownership IS an experience and one she termed as being 'love and hate'. She also said "dubs can be addictive" and she couldn't have been more right. From that 'Jetta 2.Slow' to my Passat, it has been a great learning experience and one hell of a good time. I expect the journey won't end until the day I sell this car and get that Amulet Red Audi TT Quattro with black leather interior, I still get excited over!

Flash back to 2000 as I was leaving grad school and I started to eye up purchasing my first car ever since the Jetta was coming off lease. Looking at the Passat, I was completely drawn in by the GLX since it had all the creature comforts Ð heated leather seats, auto-dim rear mirror, climate control, alloy wheels - I wanted. Even more importantly, it had a 190 HP kick-in-the-ass vs. the anemic 1.8T which, at that point, was only tuned for 150 HP.

Immediately after buying the Passat, I was off to the paint store for a pint of Indigo Blue to paint the grill to match the rest of the car. Next were a set of VW-logoed air caps and other minor things to make the car more my own. For about two years, things remained pretty stock since I was living in an apartment in suburban NYC and couldn't really do any mod work. All the while though, I was a lurker on VW Vortex where I had researched my Passat before purchasing it. I also saw the split to ClubB5 and was able to witness the evolution of rides by some seriously OG like AJChen, JonBoy, BoeserBlick, Meph, SDPassat, HermanH, B5njpeto, Soon2bBad, Ture7 and others. All of whom shared ideas and learned from each other's bloodied knuckles, vacuum hose leaks, blown out control arm bushings and failed ball joints in those early days.

My lurking days ended at 40,000 miles with the OEM Michelins going bald and me moving back to Philadelphia. With use of my father's garage and a wealth of tools I dove in....suspension, 17" wheels and new black trim interior accents. Next were Hella fogs and Votex bezels - procured direct from the Germany due to the bezels being discontinued in the States. Hella OEM Xenons also provided the night visibility and a bit more of the look I wanted.

It was about then that I realized I was subconsciously pursuing a style called OEM Plus. Tuning is a personal experience but at the end of the day, we all learn something from each other's changes in an effort to turn a corner faster, stop in a shorter distance or simply stand out in a sea of sameness. Thanks again to the B5one crew and the opportunity to share a little bit about my ride and its evolution.

Oh yeah...one more thing. Hats off to a great group of guys, know as the Dirty Dozen, with whom I've shared ideas, tipped base a pint or two and driven entirely too fast with a few too many times! Whether you now own an Evo, Elise or A4 or whether, in the future, you buy a horse and buggy, I am sure you will mod it well and share the knowledge with all of us.

Now when the hell is High Point?
— Joe "Donuts"

Editor's Note: I think he means Treffen der Hamster, not High Point

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