Words & Photos by Henry Phull
Edition38’s Show and Shine is quite some time away, but why should we have to wait until then? Luckily the organisers of one of the Summer’s biggest VAG shows seem to share this view, and yet again saved us from our show blues with their newer show, Early Edition, which kicked off as usual at The Saints stadium in Northampton. Early Edition has always been a relatively small show, it is of course mainly a warm up event for the big one later on in the year. But unsurprisingly, it is forever growing. The attendance, like last year, was off the chain. They’ve had to expand the show ground itself to give everyone more space, which means even more show cars. Also I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I much prefer shows that are on tarmac, it’s where cars belong, right? It always beats shooting a car on a grass field.
On to the show, and I’ll start things off with Oxford Car Audio’s awesome Audi S5 demo car, sitting on Air Lift bags and Avant Garde F541 SPEC1 wheels.
Opposite, Joe Caudwell’s supercharged Audi RS5 was equally jaw dropping, bagged by Plush Automotive with AccuAir suspension and also rocking a set of Avant Garde carbon split rims, F431 SPEC2’s. I think the dude on the floor must’ve been eyeing up some brakes.. ha.
I loved the colour of Jak Johnston’s LHD 1981 Mk1 Golf GL and I’m looking forward to seeing it on a set of BBS E49’s in the very near future!
I was admiring Dale Buckley’s Mk1 Audi TT back at Ultimate Dubs, but it was nice to finally see that fresh new colour outdoors. It looks even better than I’d previously thought, along with those gorgeous BBS RS’s.
The recent addition of Rotiform LHR’s have done great things for Will Smith’s Polo, which is still one of the cleanest 6N2’s you’ll ever come across.
It is refreshing to see that more and more air-cooled cars are being accepted into the community, here we have Aneysha Wakelin’s ’64 and Kirsty Greatrex’s ’69 Beetles.
For me personally, Matty Loveridge’s Miami Blue Mk1 Golf swallowtail was car of the show. I’ve always had a soft spot for this car back when it was on BBS RS’, but he’s recently added a super cool set of Compomotive Turbo’s and bagged the car on Air Lift suspension. I thought it’d be difficult to top what he already had, but Matty has done it. And to perfection.
You’ve gotta love a bagged Audi Avant, Nick Bulmer’s A4 here on huge 20″ BBS RS2’s and AccuAir suspension.
Adam Wyatt unveiled the new look for his Vento only very recently at Ultimate Dubs, but it looks like he’s already changed the wheels to a set of Advan 3 spokes which work incredibly well.
Continuing with the ‘traffic light’ colours, check out Matt Woodgate’s A4 on Air Lift suspension and Rotiform splits finished completely in black.
Finishing up with those colours is Luke Polyblank’s bagged Mk2 Golf on a gorgeous set of Gotti’s. I love the rear heckblende which really pulls the body striping together.
Over on the StillStatic stand, VRS Northampton’s Mk7 Golf R stopped me in my tracks. It must be the lowest static Golf R around, surely? Finished off nicely with big brakes and mbDESIGN wheels.
The colour combination of Nick Ackroyd’s Scirocco was something else… Viper Green paintwork and gold centred Rotiform CSW’s, what a thing of beauty. Along with an interior and boot build by RIIVA Design and EDGE Automotive, this car everything you could want in a show car.
BBS E50’s have to be one of the all time greatest wheel designs, which go so well on Jason Buckley’s Mk1 Golf. Early Edition was certainly a haven for all kinds of Mk1 goodness.
I’m starting to see that glorious signature ceramic polished finish on a lot of wheels recently, all hailing from the guys at Felgen Werkes. Here’s Tim Smith’s Mk4 R32 rocking his finished set of WatercooledIND’s.
And look, another ceramic polish finish on Kats Giles’ widened Mk5 Golf… although this time with a stunning set of Rotiform LHR’s.
Over on the Players’ stand, I’m glad Kiran Mistry got his Mk1 back on the road after an unfortunate incident prior to Ultimate Dubs a couple of month’s ago. It’s now looking awesome.
It’s pretty cool to see a bagged Seat Leon, as they’re not a car you see that often. Nicola Sidney’s Mk2 shown here on an eye-catching set of OZ Pegasus splits.
And believe it or not, more pink wheels… D2 Forged on Mark Lampard’s bagged Audi TTS.
You thought I was done with the Mk1’s? Too bad.. there’s more to come. Jacob Moore’s example was getting a lot of attention due to its classic BBS combo, absolutely timeless.
Shaking up the game, however, was Route 32’s immaculate Mk1, which has been around for a while now, and always popular due to that R32 engine conversion and stunning interior. This year they’ve added a set of custom B-Star wheels which look incredible on the car, especially with that contrasting turquoise centre colour.
I do enjoy seeing people think outside the box of the ‘usual wheels’, and making different choices. There’s so many wheels out there. The 20″ OZ Superturismo’s work great on this bagged Scirocco.
More of that Felgen Werkes polished magic on Georgie Marlow’s BBS RM’s complimenting her Mk1.
The second time I’ve seen Auto Finesse’s Air Lift equipped Mk2 demo car, and it looks even better in daylight. That BBS bodykit really makes the car!
So I’ve shown you my highlights of the show, now I’m going to take you outside into the surrounding car parks where there’s more wonderful cars to see, including lots of non-VAG. I’ll start with Olly Snow’s stunning Mulberry Mk3 VR6 on BBS RS.
Considering what bargains S8’s are nowadays, I’m surprised we’re not seeing more of them. Billy Hilton just slammed his awesome example on KW coilovers and 20″ Rotiform SNA’s.
It’s a car we all saw a lot of last year, and a relief to finally see back out again… Becky Evans’ beautiful BMW E21 bagged on BBS RS.
The VIP Modular VX210 wheels on Mark Gunning’s Audi A5 are monstrous, check out the size of those lips! Bagged by Only Charged Dubs, this car sits extremely well too.
Some more handiwork from Only Charged Dubs, with Josh Hall’s Mk6 on Autostrada Modena’s.
These BBS GT004’s looked glorious on Myles Collins’ R32.
It’s been a while since I’ve shot James Aveil’s Mercedes W114, I love this thing.
Of course there’s Rory Hamilton’s W115, too. These two looked fantastic together and it’s cool to see more of these big Mercs already this year.
I really dig Alex Herman’s E46 M Sport, it really suits those 2-piece OZ Mito Type 3’s.
Here’s a double whammy of white centred BBS RF’s, firstly on a pre-facelift E36 ‘vert…
And another set working equally well on Alex Hurd’s bagged E46 M Sport.
Steven Doe made the trip from down South in his stunning BMW E21, bagged on CCW wheels. I’ve shot the car a lot already this year, but it’s still a clear favourite.
Parked alongside was Chris Phillips static Lexus IS300, looking incredible on stepped-up BBS RS. Chris has recently fitted some Vertex skirts which makes it hard to believe this car is static.. tough as hell!
Being a BMW enthusiast myself, something like this will always make my heart melt. I loved Jake Ryan’s 318is, bagged and on OZ Futura’s. A strong look.
I’ll finish up with some LikeHell Design repping, starting off with Jamie Hitchcock’s static BMW Z4 that we recently featured (click here to check out the feature).
And more WORK wheels on Josh Mussell’s (the man behind LikeHell) static Nissan 350Z.
This was the first time I’d come across this, but that white centred WORK Meister look seems to work on a lot of platforms. Check out Nath Howell’s bagged Subaru Impreza. Cool or what!?
Finally, Jordan O’Sullivan’s R53 Mini Cooper S on Carline CM6’s remains to be one of the nicest Mini’s out there.
That’s it for our Early Edition coverage. As usual, the event was huge… just imagine how big Edition38 is going to be later on in the year. Unlike Ultimate Dubs, the organisers here didn’t allow ANY non-VAG into the main show this time, even on trade stands. How do you feel about this? We want to know, leave your thoughts in the comments. However we’re still glad that there was such a large turnout even in the car park, it shows you’re all interested nonetheless. Thanks to Edition38 for having us, we’ll see you again at the main Show and Shine on 4/5/6 September. Next up on our agenda is The Car Show Collective’s ‘Show of Shows’ in Kent on the 17th May. Don’t miss it!