There are many aspects of the Depth of Speed video series worth loving. The beautiful cinematography, moving soundtrack and gorgeous vehicles all combine to make for some compelling clips. But for us, the real attraction is how accurately the filmmakers capture the relationship between vehicle owners and their machines. Take Joel Erkkinen and his wild Mk1 Volkswagen Rabbit, for example. What started as a $400 potential Grassroots Motorsports Challenge entry for 2008 evolved into an all-consuming passion.
Having never built a car before, the Rabbit served as Erkkinen’s schoolroom when it came time to cut out old rust and weld in new metal. While the Minnesota native had toyed with later generation Rabbit models previously, going back to the Mk1 required a bit of a learning curve. Fortunately, he found himself surrounded by helping hands.
“The VW community here in the Twin Cities is really friendly and inviting,” Erkkinen tells Autoblog. “I had people I didn’t even know want to come over and help just because they saw my thread on VWVortex.”
The Zombie Rabbit slowly transformed from a clapped-out heap into a turbocharged widebody terror thanks to the knowledge and guidance of that community. But it’s Erkkinen’s attention to detail and eye for style that make the car what it is.
Unable to find a suitable material for the steering wheel cover, Erkkinen scrounged up an old leather jacket from a thrift store and set to cutting his own pattern and stitching the hide by hand. He did the same for the Corbeau Forza seats, covering the race buckets in fabric with custom embroidered Zombie Rabbit emblems.
Check out the video below as well as the gallery for a closer look at the resurrected bunny. You can also take a peek at the full modification list. Still hungry? Check out the full build thread over at VWVortex.
Depth of Speed: Back To Life from Josh Clason on Vimeo.
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Engine:
1.8 16v with a k26 turbo
Custom exhaust manifold
Euro intake cam
AEB alternator
lightened fly wheel
sachs sport clutch
audi 5k wastegate
hks bov
10an tapped valve cover to Moroso catch can
Relocated filler cap
Weighted short shifter
Neuspeed plug wires
NLS heater and reverse switch delete plates
AEM adjustable fpr
42 lb injectors
custom fuel rail
custom short runner intake manifold
mustang 70mm tb
10 row oil cooler
megasquirt 1v2.2 standalone
2.5″ exhaust with borla muffler
modified old school mk1 strut mounts
shaved bay
Custom leather radiator cover with cnc’ed “Zombi” logo
Suspension/Wheels:
Bilstein Group B struts with coil sleaves
drilled and slotted rotors all around
mk2 read disc swap
boxed in rear axle
welded control arms
Polly bushings all corners and engine mounts
Diamond Racing 15×9 et6 with 30mm spacers in rear and 20mm spacers up front
Toyo T1R 215/45s
Inside:
Corbeau Forza seats with custom upholstery and embroidery
Custom sculpted rabbit shift knob
Custom leather shift boot
Custom 5 gauge panel
reinforced rockers
autopower 4 point roll cage
schroth harnesses
mk2 cluster
abs plastic door cards
custom ammo battery box relocated to the rear
racing window nets
Custom leather wrapped Momo steering wheel
Outside:
Berg cup flare kit with custom aluminum side skirts
Hot Rod Flatz desert flat tan
custom emblems
shorty tail light swap
Euro round front swap
flag mirrors
badgless grill
custom blinkers
MG headlight cages
Leather hood straps