Reviving Max Power: Gaz O'Hara's Modern-Day Peugeot 206sw VTS

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Gaz Ohara

Peugeot 206 sw 2004

Instagram: @206_sw_vts

Gaz O'Hara's Max Power Dream

What’s up, my name's Gaz O'Hara, and this is my modern-day Max Power 206sw VTS. Growing up, I was always fascinated by cars, especially during my teenage years when Max Power was so popular. I became obsessed, but at 16, I was kicked out from home, and life changed very quickly. Over the years, it’s been my dream to build and own my own Max Power car and be featured in one of the mags—a bucket list item, some would say. It makes me incredibly proud to stand back and see the vision in my head come to life in front of me.

Early Inspirations

A Passion Born from Childhood Memories

This passion comes from going for drives with my dad as a kid. He may not have been into cars the way I am these days, but spending time with him—whether it was servicing, washing, or going for a drive and being his co-pilot with the map—will always be my earliest memory of cars. My dad passed away when I was ten, but the obsession truly began when I started high school, making new friends, and discovering magazines like Max Power, Fast Car, and Redline, and most certainly the game Need for Speed Underground.

The Peugeot 206sw VTS Journey

From Fishing Trips to Full-Blown Obsession

I bought the car around four years ago. I wanted something I could go fishing in to help with my mental health and anxiety. I've always had a soft spot for the 206 from when I was younger, with friends having them. So, when the SW popped up not too far from me for £300, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. I got a 206 with extra space, perfect for all my fishing gear. As time passed, as we all do with cars, I added an exhaust for some grunt to the 1.4 8v, eBay coil-overs, and a set of wheels.

A Therapeutic Transformation

It started small—painting bits of trims and adding higher model parts to make her look cool. Over two years, the obsession grew, and fishing became a pastime. I found that working on my car helped my mental health and anxiety. It became the one thing I could focus on no matter what was going on around me. It became my release, my escape, my happy place.

Challenges and Triumphs

Overcoming Mechanical Setbacks

One morning, I found all my coolant in my passenger footwell. A quick check under the oil cap confirmed that the head gasket was on its way out—a common problem in the 1.4 8v Peugeot engines. My brain started working because I’d grown such a love for this little French baguette, and I decided it was time for a change.

The VTS Engine Swap

Having always loved the Max Power Saxos back in the day, and having one lucky friend who owned a Saxo VTS when I was younger, I knew it needed a VTS swap to make this 206sw one of a kind. I found the car with the engine I needed and decided to just have a go, with no clue or experience. How hard could it be, right? I gathered all the info I could on an engine swap and got to work. This was probably the hardest thing I’ve done to date and really tested every bit of knowledge I had gained over the years working on my car. Blood, sweat, and definitely lots of tears were shed at this stage.

Crafting a Unique Look

Custom Bodywork and Interior

I grew a love for bodywork at the same time, making custom de-badged grilles, smoothing my bonnet, and painting parts ready to go on when the build was complete. It was good to jump between the two when the engine swap got too much. I think it took me a total of nine months on my own to finish the engine swap after giving up for weeks at a time. I’m so glad I stuck with it because, honestly, what a feeling to hear her fire up for the first time.

Bringing Back Max Power Style

Around this time, Max Power was starting to rise again in the car scene with the reunion show. With a working car and being back at shows and meets with friends, I saw the same cars over and over with no individuality, no personality, all looking and sounding the same. I knew I had to throw it back and finally build the Max Power car I always wanted as a teenager.

The Build List

Engine

• 1.6 16v C2 VTS Swapped: PH3 Newman cams, stage 2 clutch, K&N Apollo closed intake system, custom mapping by Leon at TU5Ning Evolution.

• Custom Exhaust: TA Technix 4-1 manifold, poly bushed engine mounts, breather system, and catch tank.

Interior

• Track Spec: Fully stripped, 206 GTi180 seats, SW Motorsports half cage, 206 GTi180 clocks, TRS harnesses, race heater.

Exterior

• Custom Body Kit: Unknown kit made to fit, smoothed bonnet, P&A Tuning bonnet vent, carbon-wrapped roof.

• Custom-Made Smoothed Grille: Morette headlights, original 206 SP front arches, tinted lights and fogs, tinted windows, top half sprayed black.

Suspension and Brakes

• Stance Plus Coil-Overs: Powerflex 22mm ARB bushes, road nuts polyurethane adjustable drop links, 206 GTi180 rear axle swap.

• Upgraded Brakes: Fronts C4 VTS 302mm brakes, 206 GTi180 rear brakes converted from drum, 206 GTi180 front master cylinder and brake booster, Mintex discs and pads.

Overcoming Obstacles

The Path to Perfection

I faced electrical issues the night before the Max Power Reunion '23 and gearbox problems, which kept me out of the game for 2023. Then, I received an email from Mark, who runs the Max Power Reunion, inviting me to a Max Power photoshoot in Milton Keynes. It was like my childhood dreams were coming true, and what an amazing experience it was.

Future Plans

Continuing the Journey

For me, I'll be starting college in September on an adult mechanics course, turning this passion into a career.

For the Car

• Fully Forged Turbo VTS Engine: 300bhp+.

• Custom Duck Tail Rear Spoiler: In the works.

• Full Gaz Coil-Over Setup.

• Smoothed Boot.

• New Skirts.

• Custom Rear Bumper: In the works.

• 16" Speedlines.

• A Few Secrets...

Shout Outs

A big thank you to:

• @b1lly005

• @spooxmotorsport

• @ebay

• www.swmotorsports.uk for my amazing custom-designed half cage

• @modifiedknightcruisers

• @maxpowerreunion

• @baguettebashers

• @transparesmotorstor

• @newmancams

And every single person who has helped with advice over the years.

Conclusion

Dream Car

Peugeot 206 GTi180 WRC tribute car.

Safe to say, with a bit of hard work and a vision in my head, I’ve created something I believe to be one of a kind. This car has evolved as I’ve grown as a person and is a perfect representation of who I am. It’s been a journey I wouldn't change for anything. The practicality of this car may no longer exist since I stripped her out and added an SW Motorsports half cage. However, slipping into the driver's seat, putting on that harness, and going for a drive is like no other. The smile it puts on my face makes all the practicality problems seem insignificant. Driving this old French tin can with high lift cams is so much fun. I can't wait to get her a little more track-ready and truly test my build.

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