Less Is More...

Less is more, we've all heard it before and when it comes to customising a car most would agree. You can't go wrong when this is the mindset chosen for modifying a car. It's a way of thinking that pretty much defines the VW/Euro scene, full-on racing cars aside, I find it hard to remember the last time I saw a properly done VW that had lots of unneccesary lips or wings that looked like they don't belong on the car. It's all about a clean, minimalist look, a look that often makes me wonder, why wasn't this car just released looking like this straight from the factory? I'm sure sales would be excellent, but on the other hand there's nothing better than starting with a blank canvas and adding your own style and character to it. After all, modifying is how friendships are built in the car community and more importantly, how the relationship between owner and vehicle is built, the relationship where a car becomes more than merely a mode of transport, I'm sure any car guy or girl knows what I'm referring to. But I digress...

The concept of less is more is easy enough to understand, make modifications in such a way that it's not overpowering and in your face but rather promotes a clean look that flows with the car and still has enough visual impact to make the car stand out when parked amongst others (at least that's what I interpret it as), sounds simple right?

However, there are two problems with 'less is more' that come to mind, an idea and the execution of an idea are two very different things, also, its not easy sticking to this theme as often a car is never truely complete in the owner's eyes. There will always be one more thing to do until they feel it's perfect...

  

Meet Keelan Mack, one of the most easy going and humble guys I've met in the car community, and his super clean Mk3 Jetta. I say he's a humble guy because even though his car looks so good he doesn't make a big deal about it, I get the sense that he feels there's still work to be done. Keelan has managed to pull off the less is more look so well yet he hasn't done anything to the car that we haven't seen before, its all in the way he's done it and the choices made that make this car look stunning.

The car used to belong to Keelan's dad and his been in love with this car since the day his dad brought it home but the love affair had to be kept a secret until he finally got ownership of it a few years back. It was at this point that as he puts it, " I became a huge fanatic of cars and styling cars, I always wanted my car to look good one day and then I started with my ideas..". I'd say that 'one day' has definitely arrived.

To give the car the clean look it has he went with a debadged grill and instead of the VR6 type boot spoiler he opted for a M3 slimline one, both mods that compliment the idea that less is better, and it works well. To complete the clean look upfront he added a set of crystal fog lights and indicators as well as angel eye type headlights to contrast the white paint on the car.

A tilt-and-slide sunroof, slimline windbreakers, colour coded to match the car, mudguards and a VR6 lip make everything look more complete. The car rests on a set of JOM coilovers turned down real low to give the car its sexy drop and attached to those coilovers are one of the best things on the car, 17" 8J Racing Hart EM's in all four corners, wrapped in super thin 185/35/17 tyres. Apart from the fact that this car is always extremely clean, the wheel and tyre combo are what really set it apart. The EM's show off the calipers nicely and the tyre profile compliments them perfectly by making the wheel the main focus in the arches. Purple and pink accents were added to the car in the form of painted calipers, laminexed fogs and one or two stickers to make the little things stand out more.

We're not alone in thinking this car looks excellent, the car has managed to scoop up best exterior at the SHW Ridez show and shine, as well as, 2nd place in the best stance category at the recent Strictly Street show and shine. Not bad at all for a car with minimal mods.

As I've said earlier there will always be one more thing that needs to be done before a owner is satisfied with their car, since the shoot Keelan has already been searching for a new wheel and toying around with some ideas in preparation for the upcoming Petrolheads/Mainstream show and shine. We're sure this car will once again take home a trophy and whatever he has planned you can be sure that the less will always be more when it comes to this Jetta.