Member: Eric Parham                 

Location: Cromwell, CT / Ontario, Canada

Member Since: April 2007

VW's/Audi's Owned:

Currently own the following complete cars: 1X A4 Jetta, 3x A3 GTI VR6, 1x A3 GTI 2.0, 2x A1/Mk2 Scirocco 16V, 2x A1/Mk2 Scirocco 8V SCCA IT racers, 1x A1 Cabby GTI, 1x A1 Caddy Sport Truck (stuck in Maine), 1x B3 Passat Wagon 16V, 1x A2 GLI 16V, plus a couple of parts cars. Previously owned at least two dozen others including an Audi 90 Quattro, a Callaway Turbo Jetta I (which I built), a Vanagon Westfalia camper (which a friend later converted to GTI power), and several engine swap upgraded cars that I did myself.

Wasserwerks: How long have you been involved in the VW/Audi hobby?

Eric Parham: 20 years (not counting childhood VW Beetle “clubhouse”).

WW: What first got your interest in these types of cars?

EP: Reliability, ease of same-make engine swaps, aftermarket parts availability.

WW: What cars do you presently own?

EP: In addition to above, a Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L Limited tow vehicle (needs new auto trans).

WW: What cars do you wish you owned?

EP: New Beetle Convertible with 3.2L 24V VR6 6-spd swap (maybe I’ll get around to it), Audi TT 24V 6-spd FWD Convertible (this combo apparently not sold in North America), Audi S4 Variant/Wagon (ditto), Passat B5 Wagon 30V 6-spd FWD (rare), Porsche Speedster S with manual trans (common, but still too expensive), BMW M3 3.0L (one year only, prices falling but good examples rare), Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L (uncommon, for towing), Corvette ZR1 with Callaway Super-Natural package (just to experience for a while).
 

WW: What cars do you wish you still owned?

EP: Callaway Turbo Jetta I (although I couldn’t afford the gas these days – all motor is much more fuel-efficient than turbo when driven briskly).
 

WW: What do you like to do with your car(s) (show/race/etc.)?

EP: Drive fast but courteously on known roads, take time exploring new places and scenery, race, be self-reliant with repairs and upgrades even when not cost-effective, occasionally show when I have the time and anything clean enough.

WW: What are your future plans for your car(s)?

EP:  Build 2L 16V and swap into Cabby, build 250hp all-motor for one GTI VR6, build another GTI VR6 for SCCA ITS, bring 97 GTI VR6 DE back to near-stock appearance, put 4-lug hubs on one GTI VR6 and go ice racing with 13” Menard tires, scrap bent Scirocco race car and build new SCCA road race car with parts (undecided on 8V ITC/ITB or 16V ITA), sell unused cars to please neighbor, buy newer TT, NB or EOS convertible and a newer wagon for daily drivers.

WW: What other hobbies do you have?

EP: Raising daughter, running, breeding tropical fish (African cichlids), dancing, chess, skiing, electronic gadgets, HAM radio, and a few other things that involve precision, adrenaline and sense of accomplishment (such as any type of racing at limits of machine, and eventually improving own limits to match).

WW: What is your best personal VW/Audi story?

EP: I helped a friend buy a used VW before I’d ever owned one. It was a Rabbit 1.5L single-barrel carbed 4-spd (ex-fleet car, I believe). After she’d been driving it for about a year and put over 60K miles on it, I realized that the only things done were front brake pads, front tires and oil (about a dozen times). Riding with her, the poor little car was almost always near maximum speed and redlined. I simply couldn’t believe that the car had survived that abuse. She eventually sold it for more than originally paid. This was in stark contrast to my own experiences with several other makes (mostly British and Italian) that had broken down about once per month, on average, and cost me a fortune in time, split knuckles and money. My next car was my first VW, a 1981 Scirocco I. I also talked most of my family and friends into buying VWs for the next few years. A few still drive them. Although I’d developed an interest in racing several years earlier, it was the reliability and ease of working on those early water-cooled VWs that allowed me to finally realize that dream. After autocrossing for a couple of years, I put a full rollcage in that first Scirocco and earned my racing license while still driving it every day on the street.