Zoom Zoom Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Subaru WRX STi Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain vehicle, AKA Subaru BRAT. Subaru’s first cute-ute from the ‘70’s. Kits used: AMT Subaru BRAT Revell Suburu WRX Fujimi Subaru WRX STi My desire in the beginning was to use the new Revell engine/drivetrain in the BRAT kit. However none of the modern Subaru or aftermarket wheels would fit the model with it’s dinky wheel openings. I needed to flare the fenders to accommodate the new wheels so they wouldn’t stick out and look so huge on the model. I then looked at my crappy Fujimi STi and realized it did have a purpose in life, that would be to donate it’s fenders and wheels and emblems to the cause. I carefully lined the bodies up, measured, and hacked away. In no time I had grafted the STi fenders to the BRAT body. I had some issues w/bodywork when the body flexed, worked out over time and helped w/the addition of epoxy putty under the fenders to prevent flex…it’s almost as stiff as a diecast now. Most underhood items are from the Revell WRX, suspension/chassis/driveshaft and rear differential is from AMT, interior is AMT bucket/dash combined w/Fujimi steering column/wheel and Revell seats and console. I struck out finding Tamiya Mica Blue the other day @ the LHS, so I bought metallic blue and it looks close enough to WRC blue. I did use a very thin mid-coat of transparent blue because some of the metallic chips were too close to the surface. Wheels were repainted in Alclad pale burnt metal, I wanted them gold but toned down slightly. I drilled out the chrome headlights and used some craft store lenses that are similar to MV’s. Time to build: about 1 month. I still need to clean up and tweak a few items like the intake and wheels before taking it to the NNL East next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darin Bastedo Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I've been a big fan of your builds for years and that is my hands down favorite! I didn't know the revell wrx had an engine either, so i'm doubly suprised...awesome work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarModDave Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Very cool project, Bob. It all works so well together - old and new. Looks like something Subaru should consider rolling off the assembly line today! I had a friend "back inna day" that had a Brat that he used to beat the "bejeebus" out of.......yet it was just like the Energizer bunny. I wonder what ever happened to that car...? Anyway, nice job, as usual. I love the creativity in salvaging the Fujimi body parts and mating them with the original Brat. Good luck at NNL East. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonoPed Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 That is just too cool!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david@Minidreams inc. Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 IIIIIIIIIIIILLLLOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannyclub Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTT !! Awesome work, and very cool. Man I wish I could make it the NNL but I have to move darn it! Manny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted March 19, 2006 Author Share Posted March 19, 2006 Thanks for the comments! This was a fun build. I'm lucky that the Impreza and BRAT body creases lined up so well so that the fender blisters and wheel openings were in just the right place after they were grafted. Sometimes you just get lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Can Am Garage Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Holy shoot! I love it! The hood scoop is too high but then again, it's too high on the WRX too so who cares. Neat concept Bob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S10man Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 You pulled off a really nice transformation Bob. Very well done and very realistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted March 20, 2006 Author Share Posted March 20, 2006 Thanks again for the comments. John, I may try to get the hood scoop lowered a bit-especially the leading edge, it's a bit tricky how it fits into the BRAT hood. I could have used the smaller WRX scoop from the Revell WRX but I was lazy and used the larger Fujimi part that didn't need a lot of trimming as the Revell version would have. I'll spend an evening this week correcting a few issues w/it prior to the trip to the NNL. Found my link (sent by fellow builder to inspire me when I bought the BRAT kit) to a later-model 1:1 BRAT overseas (RHD) that had a similar transformation, though they didn't get into modifying the bodywork. Sure wish AMT had modeled the later version but that's how it goes :roll: http://photobucket.com/albums/v347/lewlew/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Very believable conversion. I like that a lot! Great color combo too. The hood scoop on the mock up does look less imposing. Makes me want to make a "new" BRAT... - Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted March 21, 2006 Author Share Posted March 21, 2006 Did a few necessary tweaks to the BRAT; a friend noticed the headlights looked too big and after checking my pics again realized I needed to paint the bezels black. I dropped the scoop slightly, revised the turbo inlet under the hood so it makes sense, and realigned the driver's side rear wheel. The little tweaks certainly help it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Can Am Garage Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Much better Bob. The hood scoop now says "Look at me" versus "LOOK AT ME!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jairus Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Bob, You build some very nice stuff and ... I like the modifications made to the Subaru. Actually, the shot down into the cargo bay looks almost 1/1! Very nice model. Thank you for joining MCM Forum. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrappyJ Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 As always, great build, Bob! You always seem to capture these type of graphting projects so well (like the el-camaro...that was sweet too) 8) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildrice Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 That is a very unique take on a Brat. Subaru should make that. Great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weasel Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 saw that at NNL East. looks even better in person!!! nice job Z............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted March 28, 2006 Author Share Posted March 28, 2006 Thanks guys! The NNL East...wow, what a blast! I've still got the NNL East hangover buzz going It's amazing how fast that day goes by. Great to see Gregg and others there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Don't see many Brats built. Neato Bob! I have one of them in the stash but can't decide what to do with it. Thinking of a few diffrent colors or giving it to a fellow TNMCC member who wants it. So far building it dark red is the leading choice. Good thing is I got lots of other things in the stash that means I won't have to worry about it for years if I don't want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Rogers Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 man i was looking around the site and man what a find i love it dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyBad Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 man i was looking around the site and man what a find i love it dude WOW!! talk about draggin up an Old Thread.. Thanks.. There went another Idea of building something Different. Waay Better than anything I could have done That is an Awesome Brat. I Love it.. I'd buy one of those in a Heart beat... 4 Thumbs up.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Rogers Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 WOW!! talk about draggin up an Old Thread.. Thanks.. There went another Idea of building something Different. Waay Better than anything I could have done That is an Awesome Brat. I Love it.. I'd buy one of those in a Heart beat... 4 Thumbs up.... i had to say some thing about this one man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyBad Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 i had to say some thing about this one man Hey, Who couldn't say anything?? Nothing wrong in Givin Credit where Credit is due.. This is No half bake build of a Brat. Thanks for Bumpin it back up top.. Probably the Best built Brat anybody will ever see too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Rogers Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Hey, Who couldn't say anything?? Nothing wrong in Givin Credit where Credit is due.. This is No half bake build of a Brat. Thanks for Bumpin it back up top.. Probably the Best built Brat anybody will ever see too. no kidding man i love it i just wish i can do one like it man i love the style of it i mean just think if u could have a 1:1 man that would be killer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VW Dave Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Probably the Best built Brat anybody will ever see too. And it looks even better in person. If I hadn't seen it online before the event that year, I might have passed it by on the table.....it looks so 'right' built that way, I'm sure many folks didn't even notice it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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