Press lounge - Publications - Big Dick
Despite what your granny or even the average motorist might think, not everybody
who owns a modified car is a beer-swilling, boy racer. Take 25-year old Richard
Windsor, for example. The guy works long hours in a Moat House to pay for the
home he shares with his longterm girlfriend, Julie, and to fund a few sensible
modifications an his other pride 'n joy, a 1999 106.
Richard's invested so much time, effort and hard-earned cash into the car, the last
thing he wants to do is thrash it, crash it or do anything that's gonna damage it.
The 106 is a cracking little package to start with. However, it seems his local constabulary
has the wrong idea about the few tasteful mods he's made. We're not going to preach about
the bollox state of speed cameras and cops with nothing better to do - that's been done to
the ground. However, plain ignorance and what's basically verbal harassment by a certain
officer is clearly out of order.
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| Wow, there are Schmidt wheels and Schmidt VN-Line rims. |
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Picture the scene, we photographed Richard's car last month after the team had attended
the Max Power Live show (See full report an p 56). Richard, however, hadn't been to the
show but simply met us at the NEC for the shoot. To cut a long story short, we completed
what we had to do in no time, said our goodbyes and went our own ways. We had a trouble-free
run home while Richard, caught up in the cavalcade of Novas and Fiestas leaving the show,
managed to get a pull from the old bill. After about three laps round the car, all PC2144 could
trump up was that the Sticker in Richard's rear window, which reads'Big Dick, Small Car' was
offensive under some kind of Section 5 gash. Unbelievable, really! Did he stop to think the
sign might be related to Richard's name? Guess not. As it turns out, the PC in question turned
up an a motorbike. After his actions and the helmet an his bonce, we can only suggest his name's
Richard Head or somink. Anyway, big Rich didn't let this small act of jealousy get him down. Weil,
with a car so sweet, would you? Richard has owned the car since new but not even he got the tweaks
right first time. Initially, the car was plastered with RGM Splitters and Spoilers - you know,
the kind you get down the local car spares shop. Pretty average, we know! After a quick call to
R&A Design things took a turn for the better. Top dog, Rick Walkner, and his team of merry
men had just finished a complete styling package for the Saxo.
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| R&A Design body kit, including headlight eyebrows. |
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Now you don't need to be a brain surgeon to work out Citroen and Peugeot have a frightening
similarity. It didn't take much arm twisting from the MA team to talk Richard into having a
similar kit for his 106. In fact, his car was used as a guinea pig an which to tweak the Saxo
kit. And what a result Richard chose a simple but effective kit, which comprises a front Evolution
X bumper (£236), rear DTM Evolution diffuser (£135) and Fl Aero adjustable roof spoiler (£175).
While the car was at R&A's recommended bodyshop, Avante Garde, a couple of vents were grafted
into the bonnet for extra exclusivity - as if it was needed. Richard couldn't praise the R&A
chaps enough. The most appealing point being they offer a complete service. Not just a load of
parts, which are posted to you to fit yourself. Just about everything an the car came from the
Grimsby-based firm. On top of the body kit, it supplied the fantastic 16" Schmidt wheels, lowered
suspension and interior goodies - such as the custom dials and alloy detailing. Also, there's a
Milltek exhaust system and Jetex induction kit, which free up the little 1400 motor.
Inside, there are more surprises than a tart's handbag. Lets just say Dick likes his sparkly
bits to shine. Alloys everywhere and, if thats not enough to get Rich and girlfriend, Julie,
going, then the 18-speaker ICE is sure to create some good vibrations. Sexton installed the System,
which is based around the standard Clarion head unit: " I wanted to keep the System as stealthy as
possible", confessed Richard, who's understandably paranoid about his car going walkabout. Before
any thieving gits get ideas about walking off with the car, bear in mind it's more tightly guarded
than Billie Piper's virginity. If you're thinking of stealing it, don't Not only is the ICE effective,
so is the alarm,(immobiliser/Tracker system. In fact, it's more than effective, it virtually
bullet-proof. You could buy a decent secondhand car for the price Richard paid but hey, when
the car's viewed as part of the family, irs understandable. Playing around with styling's all
very well but like most of us, sooner or later the need for Speed takes over. Richard's been
checking various car mags and fancies opting for an Mi16 conversion. It's an effective package
when slotted into the 205, so why not the 106? Having sorted the Styling, Richard now plans to
build a proper 106 Quicksilver that's not just show and no go. Richard confessed: "Hopefully it'll
go some way to holding off my brother in his Fiesta RS Turbo." Richard refers to it as a
Quicksilver/GTi hybrid. Well, it's certainly an its way to GTi supremacy and, with the future
power issues in hand, it would appear Richard's gonna have the biggest head an the block.

Words: Elliot Roberts
Photos: Max Earey
Quelle: GTI Performance, Ausgabe 10/2000, Seite 46ff