While waiting for fifteen52 clutch, exhaust and brake prototypes, we've been busy getting the car ready for the serious wheel and tire combo we intend to fit to this rather narrow Rabbit.

Many older Golfs and GTIs came from the factory with black plastic flares, and though most styles were mostly cosmetic in nature, we're working with that same retro theme but with our design we're looking to also gain some much needed wheel and tire clearance.

It's not been easy finding materials we can work with, since in addition to using them here we're also looking to make molds of the final pieces and offer them for sale to Mk5 GTI and Rabbit owners.

As you can see, we're almost ready to cut out the fenders and begin mounting the new flares. As soon as our wheels and tires arrive we'll be doing just that.

In this set of pictures you'll also notice a new front spoiler. We're not too fond of the stock Rabbit valence due to the fact it's too shallow and actually has a reverse rake from front to back. Even though it was never meant for this car, we like this item much better and in addition to looking good, it's more functional and able to take the beating it's inevitably going to get. Where did we find it? At our local Porsche dealer, of course, under the front of a 2008 997 Twin Turbo.