Quotax Modified Car Insurance

20/04/2026

First car ➡️ forever build.

This 1969 VW Beetle has been with me since 2003, inspired by childhood memories (and a certain Herbie 🏁). What started as a simple project turned into a full-on performance build over the years.

💥 265bhp turbo Type IV
⚙️ Porsche 915 5-speed gearbox
🛞 Porsche Speedline wheels
🛠 Fully custom suspension, brakes & interior

Built to be a true sleeper — stock-looking, but with performance to match a Porsche. The engine & gearbox combo is the real highlight… usable power that never fails to put a grin on my face.

From breaking down at Spa and welding a clutch pedal as a quick fix (still holding strong 😅) to 14 years of evolving the build — this car’s got stories.

Fast. German. Marmalade.



Engine

2056cc Type IV turbo (265bhp @ 16psi)
Stock 71mm balanced crank
H-beam rods
Forged 96mm JE pistons
Eurorace hardened barrels
We**am 119 turbo cam
German Supervene lifters (51g)
Dry sump system
CSP 42mm Python exhaust
Reworked square port heads (42mm x 38mm valves)
Porsche 911 cooling setup
Individual throttle bodies (ITBs)
Link ECU / engine management
Garrett turbo + Turbosmart BOV & wastegate
Kennedy 915 flywheel + Porsche clutch

Transmission

Porsche 915 5-speed gearbox

Suspension

Front wishbone setup with Spex coilovers
Rear IRS conversion
Porsche 944 Turbo trailing arms, spring plates & torsion bars
5-bar Kafer Cup brace

Brakes

Front: Porsche 944 Turbo hubs + 996 discs & calipers
Rear: Porsche 996 discs & calipers

Wheels

Porsche 993 Targa Speedlines (17x7.5 / 17x9)

Interior

GT Beetle padded dash
Custom door cards & carpets
Porsche 996 seats
Bug@5-speed shifter
Line lock
Brake bias valve
Innovate gauges

Exterior

Genuine replacement metal panels
CSP wide rear wings

07/04/2026

I’ve owned my 2003 Mini Cooper S (R53) for about three years now, and it’s slowly evolved into the build it is today 🔧

My journey started with a 2005 Mini One — not the fastest, but I fell in love with the style, handling, and personality. So when the time came, stepping into an R53 Cooper S just felt right.

The Build 🔥
Over time, I’ve added a mix of performance, handling, and styling upgrades:

⚙️ Performance: Stage 1 remap, 17% reduced supercharger pulley, GRS intercooler, full stainless Scorpion exhaust + sports cat, induction kit
🛞 Handling: Coilovers & alloy wheels
✨ Styling: LED starlight headliner, tints all around, rear tinted lights, and a full “kill-all-chrome” look

The best part? That iconic supercharger whine paired with the exhaust note — it completely transforms the driving experience.

What’s Next? 👀
Comfort bucket seats, upgraded coilovers, bodywork refresh, maybe even a wrap…
Long-term dream: a 1320 Mini with cams and a proper tune (budget allowing 😅)

The Journey ❤️
This build has always been about creating a fun, usable fast-road car. I’ve done a lot of the work myself with my brother, and for the bigger jobs I trust The Mini Sanctuary to get it spot on.

Not gonna lie — R53s can be a nightmare sometimes 🤦‍♂️
But the memories, the meets, and the people make it all worth it.

Performance & Life with the Car 💨
She’s my daily (for now!) putting down around 190–200hp at the wheels. Track days are definitely on the horizon.

Caught me at:
📍 Minifest Brands Hatch 2025
📍 BHP Kent (May 2026)
📍 Minifest 2026 (August)

Why I Love It
It’s raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic.
If you’ve driven an R53… you already know.

This car isn’t about standing out — it’s about what it’s given me: a passion, unforgettable memories, and time spent with my brother and an amazing community.

Three words?
Raw. Playful. Characterful. 💥

23/03/2026

I have owned the car for nearly 4 years now. I chose this model because when I was 8 years old my uncle had one and he took me for a ride in it. It was my first love and 15 years later I bought my own one. My car is a 2011 Mazda RX8 R3. It took me 2 months of owning the car before I started the modifications. List of major mods would be: Full wrap in dark metallic purple, engine remap, custom manifold back exhaust system with a valved silencer, custom headlights, Spirit R taillights from Japan and Alcantara headliner and pillars with starlight roof. The mod I'm most proud of is the exhaust. It sounds perfect. Future plans when finances allow would be an engine swap from the rx7 fd and a full rocket bunny kit. Back when forza horizon 4 new-ish, way before I bought the car, I was playing around with modifying the rx8 on the game and I came up with what I have now. Dark metallic purple wrap, colour changing rose gold to bronze wheels and acid green brake callipers. Most of the work was done by professional shops as I want it perfect. Things like changing to a k&n panel air filter, painting my callipers, fitting wheel spacers, apple carplay radio and small things I did myself. My biggest challenge is money, I was running 4 cars at the same time and it's not easy. I've not had any standout moments building the car so far. I use the car once a week or once every 2 weeks and I've never tracked the car but I do want to one day. It was on dyno when I got it remapped but it’s making around 195-200hp to the wheels not fast but revs to 10,000 rpm and is fun. I took it to trax, japfest and usc back in 2022/2023. What I love most about the car is that it isn’t fast but handles so well. It’s a true drivers car. What makes my car unique are the mods done and time put into it. If I had to describe it in 3 words I’d use exciting, beautiful and timeless.

16/03/2026

Jason has owned his 2021 Honda Civic Type-R FK8 for nearly 4.5 years, turning it into a seriously unique build inspired by J’s Racing Japan. 🚗

Built with a huge catalogue of genuine J’s Racing parts and installed by Dream Automotive, the goal was simple — create something different from the usual FK8 builds. 😍

Now one of the only J’s Racing-focused FK8s in Europe, this car regularly turns heads at shows and photoshoots. 📸

22/02/2026

11/12/2025

Please Note - We are closing our offices on the 12th December at 12:00 for our Christmas Party 💃🍾🍻

27/08/2025

🚘 Client Spotlight: ’s MK8 Golf R Build

Before the Golf R, he owned the UK’s fastest Cupra Ateca – 530BHP from a 2.0L EA888 Gen 4. Brutally quick, but a nightmare to build. After constant battles with parts, software, and a failed rear diff, it was time for a fresh start.

Enter the MK8 Golf R – the perfect upgrade. Same EA888 heart, but with Magna’s torque-vectoring diff and a platform that takes the Cupra’s hardware with ease.

🔥Spec Highlights:

Garrett GT2563 Turbo

Custom Stage 3 ECU + TCU software

Eventuri intake + Forge intercooler

Cobra race exhaust + Trackslag sports cat

AP Radi-cal II 6-pot brakes Protrack One lightweight wheels

CT Carbon aero upgrades (bonnet & engine bay parts on the way 👀)

From avoiding mods for warranty’s sake ➝ to building some of the UK’s wildest VAG cars, is proof that once you catch the tuning bug, there’s no going back.

📈 Next stop? Wrapping up the Golf and chasing the dream: a Porsche GT3 RS.

What would you choose for your next build?

https://quotax.net/uks-fastest-cupra-ateca-to-a-next-level-mk8-golf-r/

30/06/2025

We loved hearing about amazing transformation of a Toyota Supra https://quotax.net/fastamys-stunning-supra-transformation/

13/02/2025

Changes at Safely Insured

***The Safely Insured Modified Car Scheme has now been taken over by Quotax Insurance Services. Jae, David, Luke and Jayne have all moved across to Quotax where they will continue to give you the normal service. Nothing changes with your current insurance policy and you will hear from Quotax in the normal way when your renewal is due. They are contactable on the same number as before: 03303 331 251 or by email on [email protected] ***

15/11/2024

� Flashback Friday! � Relive the golden age of hot hatches with our latest Customer Car Flashback. Check out these iconic rides and let us know which one is your favorite!

https://safelyinsured.co.uk/blog/2024/11/customer-car-hot-hatches