Subaru Impreza S202 STI Version

[Jay!]

I'm working on this:

If my notes are correct, the S202 special model was the first Subaru to openly break the "Gentleman's Agreement" and post a power rating of 320 PS.

Of course, I'll be working from the Tamiya Subaru WRX STi kit (24231), since it's the only "bugeye" kit.

First, I filled the hideous bumper holes:

A) Recipie for fixing the bumper: stupid oversized holes + body-colored sprue.
B) The sprue was stretched over an open flame. Takes a few tries to stretch it without just pulling it apart.
C) Just like when you get a nose bleed...
D) Trim, file, sand, done!

The S202s came with no audio, to save weight. Let's get rid of this head unit!

A) The real thing, wrong-side drive and all...
B) The kit part. I noticed the HVAC controls are missing the bottom slider. Oh, well. My 1/24 driver will have to just use the forthcoming roof vent if he wants outside air!
C) A paper mock-up, so I could figure out how to deal with filling my newly created DIN slots.
D) No, I'm probably not going to worry about etching the tiny lines and "SUBARU" logo into the slot cover.

You can see the S202 uses the STI sport grille. This is only part of the body that's significantly different from the kit. Because of the shape, I cut the grille part from the front end/headlight assembly, and attached it directly to the body. You can also see the STI grille uses a finer mesh than the kit part, so it had to go, too...


Then came the shaping work. I tried a couple times to make the shape out of styrene, like a good little modeler. But, because of the complex curves, the alteration of the panel lines, and me being a bit lazy, I gave up and slapped on the putty.

A) Another look at the real car. Complex curves are not my friend.
B) I was very careful to mark out how far the grille should come out on to the bumper...
C) And then I slapped on the putty anyway! HA!! Take that, careful planning!!
D) Taking shape, but plenty more work to do. My half-round file has done the brunt of this work, and I'm very pleased at how the outsides are matching up with the shape of the headlights. The middle section is basically flat and tapers down to the bumper, but there's a distinct edge where it stops, and this has been the tricky bit. If I started over now, I'd have a better idea of how and where to add the first bit of putty, but too late! At the moment, more putty is curing around the edges, destined to get shaped by more filing.

I've also started painting the super-duper 1-piece chassis, but no pics of that until later!

Stay tuned!! Comments? Questions?

IB"OMGJaysbuildingamodel!!!"

[acemotorsport]

nice i like it

[auw12]

nice progress!love the step by step pics and descriptions!

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by fubaz

OMGJaysbuildingamodel!!!

Great to see you back working the putty and styrene Jay. Keep up the good work!

[bigfrit]

Nice project and great progress!

Also, quite like how you put the pictures with the description,it's like you are planning it more then you think!

Oli

[D_LaMz]

Originally Posted by bigfrit

Nice project and great progress!

Also, quite like how you put the pictures with the description,it's like you are planning it more then you think!

Oli

looks great and liking the little comments with the pics

[willimo]

Glad to see you building again.

Wait, who are you?

[nugundam93]

can't wait to see the finished product!

[NissanSkylineGTR98]

Looks awesome so far, can't wait to see the finished car!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

WTFUBAZ?! Looks great so far

Nice offbeat subject. More. Please.

[blubaja]

And so it was...the moderator formerly known as Jay@AF has stepped down..and givin his member# and modship to...his alter ego..such forth..Jay@AF will now be known as...Fubaz? Come on..you couldn't think of anything Subarooey? Lookin really cool Jay...We gotta cast these or something...Your S202..the wagon that I'll prolly never finish..and the RS..which is still in motion. Glad to se you are back in FULL FORCE Jay!!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by blubaja

And so it was...the moderator formerly known as Jay@AF has stepped down..and givin his member# and modship to...his alter ego..such forth..Jay@AF will now be known as...Fubaz? Come on..you couldn't think of anything Subarooey? Lookin really cool Jay...We gotta cast these or something...Your S202..the wagon that I'll prolly never finish..and the RS..which is still in motion. Glad to se you are back in FULL FORCE Jay!!

SUBAFUBAZ

[freakray]

So what color is it going to be Jay? Will you be matching the factory S202 color?

[Jay!]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Originally Posted by bigfrit

it's like you are planning it more then you think!

Planning the what-to-do is easy. The how-to-do-its are the hard part. I have 250+ S202 reference pics on hand, full of neat little details.

Originally Posted by freakray

So what color is it going to be Jay? Will you be matching the factory S202 color?

The S202 was available from STI in 4 colors:

Astral Yellow (same as USDM Sonic Yellow)

Pure White

Midnight Black Mica

WR Blue Mica


And, yes. It'll be one of those*.


*Or as close as the nearest Tamiya spray color comes...

[freakray]

I've only seen S202's in the blue or white, go with the Yellow I think, the bugeyes look awesome in sonic yellow. I think Chrome Yellow is a good match to sonic yellow - it's the color my bugeye will be.