Great build! And as for those that are bored and unimpressed with the LS, I understand but I have and will continue to do the same. It is an unbeatable combo. Reliable, easy to get parts, not a budget killer, and proven performance. Nothing else comes close. If it did it would be just as common.
Hey Conner, please read all of those hate comments. Those comments come from those who have never been to SEMA and have no clue of the amount of bad ass builds there. For you to get picked out of a sea of builds at your age says you are going places. Trust me, your build has touched the souls of many people who needed that spark to keep on keeping on. You never know how your inspiration to build something from your head to completion causes others to stop feeling sorry for themselves and make something happen that inspires others. Excellent job Brother!
Brian Elli we can wrap any skin around a go kart and call it whatever. No VW spirit left in this build. If VW Audi Porche ect drivetrain or other parts were used the maybe but no. I could have put a K car body on this junk and called it a badass K car. Where does it end. We have roll tube frame kits and toss a body on it and all of sudden your a SEMA genius.
Maybe there is no VW spirit left in the build, but do you see any cops around? Heck, go buy a used vette; strip the powertrain out and fit a VR6 turbo AWD train if you can't make peace with this build. Where's Rob Dahm when you need him.
to even have a car in sema it must be a very meticulous,clean,unique build and catch attention of everyone.this does all of those things and more.anyone would be a complete fool to dislike this,there is absolutely nothing to dislike AT ALL.
That is a very impressive build. There is so much that goes into building a project like this that many times goes unappreciated.There are some cool and creative features I have never seen before. It is more amazing this was done by someone so young. You have a strong future ahead of you. Great job!
Great attention to detail. Plenty of people out there just hack stuff together, but the fit and finish on this looks great. That interior is a design work in its own right. Works well with the sharp minimalism of the Giugiaro-penned body. Nicely done.
Funny enough I'm stumbling around this now, but I am an acquaintance of Hoffords and I've sat in the car as well as see him drive it. Absolutely insane. Spins every single gear. A once a year event he drives it. If I recall he said it weighs a smidge over 2300 lbs. Never had it dyno'd as far as I know
Oh hell yeah! I had an '84 GTI 20 years ago and even with that little 4 banger it was a lot of fun to drive. Couldn't imagine a 400+hp version of that car.
Moparius Maximus, Precisely! Nor have they ever driven anything like that VW, the power to weight ratio, plus a 4 speed, it’s a hand full to drive no doubt. Most naysayers would piss down their leg behind the wheel of such a car...
Really nice build, it's one off and looks as if you'll be able to enjoy this car without any down time because it's not over complex .Nice ride and nice work!
This guys racked up more internet points than anyone else I've seen at SEMA this year .... he's everywhere in the interwebz!! #fullboost delivers with some decent up close footage of the crazy fab work. Nice one L.
+flatkangaroo Thanks mate. Yes the attention to detail is amazing the biuld was so well thought out. There were prople crowding around it everytime we walked past it. Killer job overall, Connor is very modest.
ASD350SXF damn right! Just had an argument with a butthurt Ford fan. He got quiet and grumpy after I sarcastically said oh yeah because everybody is coyote swapping nowadays
Marco Brancorsini yea understandable but the whole point is to enjoy the car. Why not do the cheapest and most logical swap. Life's too short to care what the next guy thinks . I've been in both 3 and 4 rotor modified cars being open minded. Every 3 rotor was disappointing. The 4 had some power but not worth the cost. Plus the sound was disgusting.
Its not just a ls engine, he had to make it all function to work with the ls eng. Its not like he just threw the engine in there and hoped for the best... nice work very unique build.👍🏼
Woo for a fellow Pennsylvanian! I believe a good bit of the Rabbits sold in the US were built in the Pennsylvania plant as well, and surprise surprise, their quality was quite a bit worse those built pretty much anywhere else, including South America. My grandfather had a red diesel Rabbit when I was growing up. He was a mild hoarder, so his car reflected that. The interior was occupied by a layer of dirt and empty bottles for oil, coolant, and whatever else the car needed. It had holes rotted everywhere, no seatbelts, and rattled like nothing I've experienced since. It was terrible in all the best ways, and I can't think about him without remembering that car.
In Europe You will never get an oldtimer certificate for car like this. You cannot change more than 25% original parts, especially engine (except parts that are new but identical with original of course). That doesnt change the fact that this golf is amazing.
Full props on the build. The guy has pretty amazing skills. That said, I'm sort of philosophical about the car. There are any number of cheap/powerful setups from VW/audi/porsche that would have made the Golf even more interesting. What we got was just another tube chassis hotrod with a different bodyshell.
Much better put than that other guy trying to make the same point but couldn't resist throwing keyboard insults at the same time. Connor built the car for himself, no-one else. He wanted to build an LS and also put a new spin on the tube chassis hot rod thing as you say. He has built some cool stuff in the past, and has many great plans for future builds. Some you will probably like more I'm sure, but then he's not building to impress anyone else so it doesn't really matter anyway does it.
I must say that is a sweet Rabbit and I hope it's the last time you trailer it it's not fun being pushed in & out of a trailer if your not doing burn outs
Rod Daily building a car I like well now that could be interesting. Rod the whole point of my comment is challenge yourself push yourself outside the square to think for yourself. Don't be a sheep and follow the leader this Sema level which is the perfect opportunity to be different and not mainstream.
Great build! And as for those that are bored and unimpressed with the LS, I understand but I have and will continue to do the same. It is an unbeatable combo. Reliable, easy to get parts, not a budget killer, and proven performance. Nothing else comes close. If it did it would be just as common.
Well said.
Wow! This kid is a genius,that,s an amazing build ,thumbs up!
Love the filler cap kill switch thats true customizing! Beautiful job on everything!
Hey Conner, please read all of those hate comments. Those comments come from those who have never been to SEMA and have no clue of the amount of bad ass builds there. For you to get picked out of a sea of builds at your age says you are going places. Trust me, your build has touched the souls of many people who needed that spark to keep on keeping on. You never know how your inspiration to build something from your head to completion causes others to stop feeling sorry for themselves and make something happen that inspires others. Excellent job Brother!
Brian Elli we can wrap any skin around a go kart and call it whatever. No VW spirit left in this build. If VW Audi Porche ect drivetrain or other parts were used the maybe but no. I could have put a K car body on this junk and called it a badass K car. Where does it end. We have roll tube frame kits and toss a body on it and all of sudden your a SEMA genius.
I think the opposite. This tin can wasn't worthy of being strapped to this awesome engine and Drivetrain .
Maybe there is no VW spirit left in the build, but do you see any cops around? Heck, go buy a used vette; strip the powertrain out and fit a VR6 turbo AWD train if you can't make peace with this build. Where's Rob Dahm when you need him.
Very well thought out and executed build, and even more so from such a young builder. Kudos to you Connor.
This is amazingly well put together and thought out. The bay layout is beautiful also. Only 23 years old ! Well done kid.
to even have a car in sema it must be a very meticulous,clean,unique build and catch attention of everyone.this does all of those things and more.anyone would be a complete fool to dislike this,there is absolutely nothing to dislike AT ALL.
Wow i have a 89 cabby and was thinking of ls swap it but this guy work is a masterpiece i never though someone could do this detail on a cabby
This is one of the best builds I have seen in a very long time !!!
That is a very impressive build. There is so much that goes into building a project like this that many times goes unappreciated.There are some cool and creative features I have never seen before. It is more amazing this was done by someone so young. You have a strong future ahead of you. Great job!
Great attention to detail. Plenty of people out there just hack stuff together, but the fit and finish on this looks great. That interior is a design work in its own right. Works well with the sharp minimalism of the Giugiaro-penned body. Nicely done.
Funny enough I'm stumbling around this now, but I am an acquaintance of Hoffords and I've sat in the car as well as see him drive it. Absolutely insane. Spins every single gear. A once a year event he drives it. If I recall he said it weighs a smidge over 2300 lbs. Never had it dyno'd as far as I know
I dont knot how people can dislike some awesome cars like yours bro! Keep the awesome work !!
Oh hell yeah! I had an '84 GTI 20 years ago and even with that little 4 banger it was a lot of fun to drive. Couldn't imagine a 400+hp version of that car.
Im a rabbit guy and damn that is a ton of work and very original build.
How does a 23 year old know how to do that? Impressive
Beautiful. I appreciate the restraint on the original Rabbit bodywork. Love that kill switch too.
Good job, your build is what you envisioned and made it happen, most of these " haters" have never accomplished any thing in life..
Moparius Maximus, Precisely! Nor have they ever driven anything like that VW, the power to weight ratio, plus a 4 speed, it’s a hand full to drive no doubt. Most naysayers would piss down their leg behind the wheel of such a car...
Beautiful build but am not a v8 swap fan just saying but I give him respect for his vision
Exactly!!
Exactly!!
Exactly!!
Your an artist. That's something very different and that's good to see in the custom world!
Really nice build, it's one off and looks as if you'll be able to enjoy this car without any down time because it's not over complex .Nice ride and nice work!
I think Connor Hofford is a very talented young designer with a brilliant career in front of him.
Loving the minimalist touches, amazing build.
Young man has an AMAZING imagination in the craft of custom car building...
What's not to like,great job son,looks awsome very clean build,
Dude credit to you and your team ov builders 10-10 I love the checkered inserts very subtle works perfect thanks for posting this 👍🏾
King of SEMA for sure.
This guys racked up more internet points than anyone else I've seen at SEMA this year .... he's everywhere in the interwebz!! #fullboost delivers with some decent up close footage of the crazy fab work. Nice one L.
+flatkangaroo Thanks mate. Yes the attention to detail is amazing the biuld was so well thought out. There were prople crowding around it everytime we walked past it. Killer job overall, Connor is very modest.
Great build! I admire people who have a vision and make it a reality. 👍🏻
Dude - AWESOME JOB. I love it
so incredibly clean.
remember that time Wiley Coyote put on a pair of roller skates and then strapped himself to a rocket? that's this rabbit with an LS. 😆
There is a reason why the LS is the most swapped motor in the world... Super reliable, great power and they sound awesome!
ASD350SXF damn right! Just had an argument with a butthurt Ford fan. He got quiet and grumpy after I sarcastically said oh yeah because everybody is coyote swapping nowadays
Surely an awesome engine, BUT I'd never swap it into an RX-7 or a car with a unique engine, just to preserve originality.
Marco Brancorsini yea understandable but the whole point is to enjoy the car. Why not do the cheapest and most logical swap. Life's too short to care what the next guy thinks . I've been in both 3 and 4 rotor modified cars being open minded. Every 3 rotor was disappointing. The 4 had some power but not worth the cost. Plus the sound was disgusting.
... and they're cheap, which is never a drawback ;-)
matt parker They swap them because there cheap to build. To bad they break easier too. A VR6 can actually handle a turbo with out blowing to pieces
Its not just a ls engine, he had to make it all function to work with the ls eng. Its not like he just threw the engine in there and hoped for the best... nice work very unique build.👍🏼
Well done Connor- well done. Some disturbing misplaced hatred going on in the comments- mainly from folks who have built exactly zero hotrods.
great job man.
I’m loving this build, bravo sir bravo...
Very cool!
I saw this when the Hoonigans went to sema
This was Brians favorite car at sema
This guy has a bright future ahead of him
What an amazing build, way to go...👍🏼
Awesome “Sleeper”, could really do some damage to some supercar owners pocket books!! 💰
They deserve it if they see those tires and still take the challenge
Very clean!
This is amazing!
great job all I can think of is BEAST well done
That is beautiful, very sober and elegant appearance! A real sleeper!
Looks amazing. Well done
I wish one day I can swap an LS on my mk4 gti, great car bro best I’ve seen
I want to see a fwd ls
Wow. Great job!
Nice build
Wow! A little different than my 53 hp 81 rabbit diesel!
Nicely Done!
Well built i like originality
Woo for a fellow Pennsylvanian! I believe a good bit of the Rabbits sold in the US were built in the Pennsylvania plant as well, and surprise surprise, their quality was quite a bit worse those built pretty much anywhere else, including South America.
My grandfather had a red diesel Rabbit when I was growing up. He was a mild hoarder, so his car reflected that. The interior was occupied by a layer of dirt and empty bottles for oil, coolant, and whatever else the car needed. It had holes rotted everywhere, no seatbelts, and rattled like nothing I've experienced since. It was terrible in all the best ways, and I can't think about him without remembering that car.
Zach Buchowski I had an 83 gti built in Westmoreland Pennsylvania.....I guess I got lucky it was a great car
Amazing workmanship. 👌
Very creative. Good job.
Awesome build young man!
Absolutely gorgeous. Good job!
Where can we see this beast run?
In Europe You will never get an oldtimer certificate for car like this. You cannot change more than 25% original parts, especially engine (except parts that are new but identical with original of course). That doesnt change the fact that this golf is amazing.
Bummed that I didn’t see it at the SEMA show.
Full props on the build. The guy has pretty amazing skills. That said, I'm sort of philosophical about the car. There are any number of cheap/powerful setups from VW/audi/porsche that would have made the Golf even more interesting. What we got was just another tube chassis hotrod with a different bodyshell.
Much better put than that other guy trying to make the same point but couldn't resist throwing keyboard insults at the same time. Connor built the car for himself, no-one else. He wanted to build an LS and also put a new spin on the tube chassis hot rod thing as you say. He has built some cool stuff in the past, and has many great plans for future builds. Some you will probably like more I'm sure, but then he's not building to impress anyone else so it doesn't really matter anyway does it.
Sick car love it
Awesome Car!!!
Nice nice job
It there a video to the car running ?
Weird choice but excellent work
I must say that is a sweet Rabbit and I hope it's the last time you trailer it it's not fun being pushed in & out of a trailer if your not doing burn outs
Very cool!
Expectacular e unico buen trabajo ❤💪
Nice very Nice work 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Wondering why you built the internals of the engine with forged components?
awesome car,this is something i would do or love in equal measure
That thing is bad ass
amazing ! does it hook ?
How wide is the mustang ll that you used on the front? I'm also in the middle of building an 84 rabbit drag car.
so clean
WOW !!! I want one !!! Amazing job !!!
dream car right there!
Beautiful
Just.. WoW!
nice build
Good Job.
Rod Daily building a car I like well now that could be interesting. Rod the whole point of my comment is challenge yourself push yourself outside the square to think for yourself. Don't be a sheep and follow the leader this Sema level which is the perfect opportunity to be different and not mainstream.
On a long enough time line...everything get's an LS.
Mint! 👍
Any better and it would have had a TT W8 or W12 in it.
Phoenix Rising, I bet you’d have a ball driving it though. 😎
dang, i think you paid homage to vw by your engineering even though you stripped it of OEM parts
Fuckin scary fast I bet, I'd love to do this but with a Jetta mk2, awesome car
An Audi V8 would have been a killer build. Cheap fun always has its place too though.
Nice
How much did this cost to build?
Nice job mate fukn sweet build 👌
narrowed 9inch 😂 the diff is over half the width of the axel 😂 holy hell 😂
Sick build. But can it go down the strip without breaking?
It made it down the vegas strip ;) I think Connor plans to take it to the track sometime next year but he really built it to cruise the streets.
Thats one hare racing rabbit
Awesome
sweeeeeeeetttt.......😍😍
Vortec?
This is good but imagine a W12 in place of that LS.....
#LSTHEWORLD :)
Yeahnah
Hope this thing makes the GM Nationals in Carlisle since it's from PA
Yee on point
More vedio on vw engine a GOLF in v8 v12 8turbo charge big block on vw and 5000 to 9000 horse power n JET
Beautiful farm country in Lancaster....lots of drugs too