Well this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to these cars having owned two of its sister car the Toyota GT86. This purchase was a little unexpected and happened very quickly but I cant wait to get stuck into it as its definitely a project.
So I've had a search saved in ebay for years now looking at salvaged BRZ's, however it always seems to be GT86 that come up cheap as the BRZ holds its value better due to there being fewer of them. Nothing significant has come of it until early last week when a 2013 Subaru BRZ with 41k on the clock popped up. It ticked all the boxes with heated half leathers, back 3/4's spotless, engine running, theres just the small matter of half the front end missing. It came up cheap so a quick conversation later to Turbo Monkeys in Burton who were selling it and I headed up there last Wednesday to see it. It was as described so I left a deposit and arranged a tow truck to collect it. It arrived today and I couldn't be happier. And before anyone asks the other cars I have aren't going anywhere this is a +1 project.
Spec wise its stock, pearl white, manual, heated half leathers, CD player etc. It is a Cat S, I've seen why and will get it all checked out before it goes back on the road.
So what are my plans, firstly acquire all the parts to rebuild it, I have a rad pack ready to go on which means its easier to move around. I've never attempted such a project before, I normally start with at least a complete car, so this will be challenge and I am expecting bumps along the way. Once I have all the parts I will fit as much as I can before it heads over to a specialist to ensure its all straight and lines up before everything is bolted down.
Not sure where I am going with the car right now as theres so many options, but one thing I do know is it needs a facelift as those tail lights are really dated. So already have a list of parts to fit the 2017 facelift BRZ front end and I have 2017 style rear lights to be fitted later today. I do know It will be getting a full respray as I've not seen many bodyshops match the pearl paint to a standard I would be happy with, a colour change to something none Toyota/Subaru for sure. It also will be remaining stock body, no wide body kits here.
I also have a HT Auto lip kit ready to go and a Top Sage rear diffuser lip to keep me ticking over while working on the boring stuff up front. I'm tempted to take the approach of building what Subaru would have done if they had built a proper BRZ STI.
Time for some photos:
Untitled by James Baker, on Flickr
The boot was full of parts clearly picked up off the road following the accident:
Untitled by James Baker, on Flickr
The front end, not so tidy:
Untitled by James Baker, on Flickr
And a better look of the front end damage:
Untitled by James Baker, on Flickr