- Sat Feb 26, 2022 8:01 am
#12794
スズキ・カルタス GT-i
Hi All,
My journey into the GTi world was really by complete accident.
Between 2003 and 2007 I’d been working away a lot on mining projects in Australia’s North West but it was finally time to come home after I’d got a work offer I couldn’t refuse.
I was driving a modified Isuzu KB-40 (Chevy Luv) 4WD before and during that time but eventually had to sell it due to it sitting dormant for almost a couple of years which hurt the car somewhat. Poor thing. Rarer than GTi’s these days!
Anyways, after getting home I suddenly realised I needed a car again to get to my new workplace at a large refinery which wasn’t exactly a nice place to park anything ‘good’. So I was looking at a $500 second hand Toyota Camry before my wife intervened- basically told me off and said to consider something a bit better!
I went through a few car yards before I stumbled on a red 1997 Suzuki Swift GTi that looked O.K. I knew absolutely NOTHING about the cars but had at least heard of them.
Took it for a test drive on a miserable rainy day so lots of wheel spin on stock tyres but it was clean and comfortable with everything working. Says I “ahh.. what the hey?” and bought it because the price was right and took it home.
The rain lasted for a solid 4 days straight which is incredible for Western Australia. When the roads had finally dried out I took my new car for a spirited little drive along some back roads and came home in a state of minor shock! I’d been used to strong 6 cylinder cars and some V8’s in my past but this thing was up there with the best! Seriously, a true WTF (?) moment!
Then started the internet research. Then RedlineGTi. Then Teamswift. Then I discovered Rospen, SSGTi.com, BD motorsports and the rest… Finally I discovered the concept of something called a Suzuki Cultus GTi… which is a very good story that I’ll save for another day.
I loved Lil’ Suzi and she received a lot of attention. When it was time for us to part I actually sold her to a really, really dear friend of mine as I couldn’t quite let go completely.
She remains in good hands even to this day after my friend had to also let her go a while back! I do have spies you know…
So here she is, Lil’ Suzi my first GTi love.
Cheers,
Drew
My journey into the GTi world was really by complete accident.
Between 2003 and 2007 I’d been working away a lot on mining projects in Australia’s North West but it was finally time to come home after I’d got a work offer I couldn’t refuse.
I was driving a modified Isuzu KB-40 (Chevy Luv) 4WD before and during that time but eventually had to sell it due to it sitting dormant for almost a couple of years which hurt the car somewhat. Poor thing. Rarer than GTi’s these days!
Anyways, after getting home I suddenly realised I needed a car again to get to my new workplace at a large refinery which wasn’t exactly a nice place to park anything ‘good’. So I was looking at a $500 second hand Toyota Camry before my wife intervened- basically told me off and said to consider something a bit better!
I went through a few car yards before I stumbled on a red 1997 Suzuki Swift GTi that looked O.K. I knew absolutely NOTHING about the cars but had at least heard of them.
Took it for a test drive on a miserable rainy day so lots of wheel spin on stock tyres but it was clean and comfortable with everything working. Says I “ahh.. what the hey?” and bought it because the price was right and took it home.
The rain lasted for a solid 4 days straight which is incredible for Western Australia. When the roads had finally dried out I took my new car for a spirited little drive along some back roads and came home in a state of minor shock! I’d been used to strong 6 cylinder cars and some V8’s in my past but this thing was up there with the best! Seriously, a true WTF (?) moment!
Then started the internet research. Then RedlineGTi. Then Teamswift. Then I discovered Rospen, SSGTi.com, BD motorsports and the rest… Finally I discovered the concept of something called a Suzuki Cultus GTi… which is a very good story that I’ll save for another day.
I loved Lil’ Suzi and she received a lot of attention. When it was time for us to part I actually sold her to a really, really dear friend of mine as I couldn’t quite let go completely.
She remains in good hands even to this day after my friend had to also let her go a while back! I do have spies you know…
So here she is, Lil’ Suzi my first GTi love.
Cheers,
Drew
スズキ・カルタス GT-i
