Niklas Frisk - Audi 100 Coupe S/GT 1972

This custom feature is officially showcased in the printed edition of Stance Auto Magazine.

Meet the Owner: Niklas Frisk’s Passion for Petrol Culture

From the scenic shores of Alnö, a small island in Sweden, Niklas Frisk @nifrisk  lives a life completely immersed in petrolhead culture. Professionally serving as the Scandinavian Marketing Manager for Indian Motorcycle, Niklas's daily routine revolves around high-octane engineering. While his daily commuter is a reliable Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI 4Matic (a practical shift from his previous Chevrolet Tahoe), his true creative outlet lies in building world-class custom cars.

"I have always been in the motor scene since I was a kid," Niklas shares. "I love engines, cars, bikes, and snowmobiles—anything that runs on petrol. Building elite custom project cars came a little later, but studying as a car mechanic in school laid the perfect foundation. Repairing and modifying cars has been a lifelong calling, passed down from my dad."

The Vision: Creating the Ultimate 1972 Audi 100 Coupe S GT

What makes this specific 1972 Audi 100 Coupe S stand out in a global sea of custom builds? The inspiration stems from automotive history. Back in the early 1970s, Audi never offered a factory-tuned or upgraded version of this sleek coupe—there was no equivalent to what Shelby was doing for the Ford Mustang.

Niklas set out to answer a fascinating question: What if a customer walked into an Audi dealership in 1972, demanded a high-performance 'GT Package' upgrade, and had the cash to back it up? With roughly 150 custom modifications tailored to fit this historical "what-if" narrative, this vehicle represents the absolute pinnacle of classic European restomod culture.

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The Metamorphosis: Metal Widebody and Chassis Upgrades

This iconic vehicle is a genuine, domestic Swedish-market car sold originally in 1972. Niklas purchased the classic coupe three decades ago when clean surviving examples were already exceptionally scarce. While the factory stock version pushed a modest 115 horsepower, this fully restored and highly tuned iteration now delivers a responsive, healthy 145 horsepower.

The build represents a flawless collaboration between Niklas's personal mechanical expertise and specialised industry masters. The striking, seamless widebody conversion was sculpted entirely in raw sheet metal by renowned metal master Dan Johansson in Degerfors, Sweden. To achieve the perfect widened stance, custom front and rear metal fenders were meticulously adapted utilising original profiles from a Volkswagen Golf Mk1, while the lower rear valance was broadened to emphasise the car’s aggressive track width.

Comprehensive Specification List

Bodywork & Exterior

• Custom Sheet Metal Widebody: Fabricated by Dan Johansson using modified Volkswagen Golf Mk1 fender arches.
• Premium Paintwork: Finished in Aston Martin Casino Royale metallic paint by Racer Putte.
• Brightwork Restoration: Complete strip-down with every exterior chrome element re-chromed to a mirror finish.
• Custom Fuel Filler: Relocated smoothly into the C-pillar using a flush-mount Victory Motorcycle gas tank inlet.
• Powder Coating: Every single reusable factory component is stripped and completely powder-coated for longevity.
• Suspension, Brakes & Wheels
• Air Suspension Setup: Specially engineered custom Airrex air struts managed via a precision digital controller.
• Axle & Hub Conversions: Volkswagen Golf Mk3 rear axle swap with adapted Golf Mk3 front hubs to accommodate modernised geometry.
• Big Brake Kit: High-performance Golf Mk3 big brake upgrade featuring 4-piston callipers clamped onto 330mm floating discs front and rear.
• Wheel & Tyre Fitment: Staggered 18-inch Dotz SP5 Dark alloy wheels wrapped in premium Michelin Pilot performance tyres.

Custom Interior & Premium Audio

• Bespoke Leather Upholstery: Original seats fully stripped, reshaped, and rebuilt for enhanced racing lateral support. Finished in a combination of hand-brushed and polished luxury leathers featuring contrasting white accent stitching by Hanngrens Sadelmakeri.
• Modernised Instrumentation: Custom-engineered retro gauges from Speedhut USA mounted in the factory dashboard positions, integrating a GPS speedometer alongside classic styling and custom Audi GT logos.
• Hand-Brushed Trim: All original factory faux-wood replica interior materials were removed and upgraded with hand-brushed genuine aluminium plating.
• Electric Power Steering: Custom-engineered homemade electric power steering assembly featuring driver-adjustable resistance control.

Hidden Car Audio System: Premium components from Excursion, including a custom-fabricated subwoofer enclosure hidden beneath the rear bench and bespoke fibreglass kick panels hosting the front soundstage by AVD Sundsvall.

Engine & Performance Tuning

• Engine Block Displacement: Factory inline engine bored out to a full 2.0-litre displacement.
• Cylinder Head & Valvetrain: Meticulously gas-flowed and ported cylinder head paired with a custom-profile high-lift camshaft.
• Induction System: Stainless steel intake manifold running dual Weber 45 DCOE carburettors.
• Ignition System: Modernised 123 Ignition programmable distributor system.

Custom Fabricated Exhaust: Aiden extractor outlet manifold feeding into a custom-built, fully TIG-welded Swedish Ferrita stainless steel exhaust system running from the extractor to the polished tip.

Some of the professionals involved with the work undertaken:  

• Metal Master, Dan Johansson , Degerfors
• Interior, Leather work, Hanngrens Sadel makeri , Sundsvall ,Sweden
• AVD Sundsvall-Car Audio
• Polish with  Angelwax products

This Audi was my first car and I absolutely love it. I have been on a couple of shows and it's really fun to meet people and hear what they think of the car. I have got some prizes, those are really fun to win.

Global Recognition and Award-Winning Pedigree

As Niklas’s very first car, this Audi 100 Coupe S represents a 30-year labour of love. The restomod has toured elite automotive exhibitions across Scandinavia, consistently securing top-tier jury honours:

• Custom Motor Show (Elmia, Sweden): 1st Place Jury’s Choice & Best Interior Design
• Extreme Car Show (Finland): Official Top 10 Car of the Exhibition
• Oslo Motor Show (Norway): Jury’s Choice Winner & Finalist for Scandinavian Build of the Year
• Motorrevvyn: Awarded Finest Sports Car
• European Tuning Championship: Ranked 11th out of 60 elite European entries (selected from an initial pool of over 3,000 show cars)

The Next Build: Project 'Overkill'

While this 1972 masterpiece remains an absolute icon, Niklas is already deep into his next radical automotive endeavour. Titled Project Overkill, the upcoming build transforms a classic 1975 Audi 100 Coupe S into a rear-wheel-drive monster powered by a supercharged V8 LS6 engine. The car is currently undergoing major metal fabrication inside the body shop.

Stance Auto Magazine extends a massive thank you to Niklas Frisk for sharing this incredible piece of European car culture with our global audience. Make sure to follow his ongoing builds and garage updates on Instagram: @nifrisk.