Words: Aaron Mai Photos: Jack Morgan
Hey Drew, nice to meet you. We love it when something different like this comes along. Where did it all start with you, with your love of cars?
Drew: Hey guys, I think my dad has a big role to play in it to be honest. He was into his cars when he was younger. He got me and my brother into racing grass go-karts and we have now been doing it for the past 15 years — this fuelled our passion for motorsport and mechanics. From when I turned 16 and got my licence, I’d always wanted a performance car of my own.
Tell us, why a Subaru of all things to do what you have done?
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know why I built this car. My dream car is a R32 GT-R, but when prices went through the roof for them I wanted a car I could drive and enjoy. I enjoyed this car for the most of four years AWD but then wanted to switch it up and do something I’ve never really seen anyone do with this Subaru chassis, and that was to make it RWD. It was very difficult to even figure out how to do it without removing the front axles and retaining the factory drivetrain, but with lots of research the guys at SAS and I got the job done. To be honest, it is way too much fun RWD and better in my eyes. I would never change it back to AWD — a very controversial opinion in the Subaru world, but who cares? It’s my car.
In all honesty, I get more excited seeing an Escort on the road today than a 180SX, and Tyson’s example is a time capsule of what so many of us remember when we owned our first cars. It’s simple, but so perfectly executed and just oozes character. Tyson regrettably sold the first Escort that he had when he was 18 years old, so when this one popped up it instantly piqued his interest. The 1978 1300GT has everything you want in an Escort — great stance, a raspy exhaust note, and an interior in multiple shades of brown! However, while it looks perfectly period, this one has a few modern tweaks hidden away to bring our rose-tinted glasses into 2023.
Do you have any future plans for the Subaru?
Future plans for my car are undecided at the moment. One big thing I would love to do is cage the car, retaining the whole interior, but we will have to see in the years to come where it takes me.
Now that it’s done, would you do anything differently?
I wouldn’t change anything about this car. Yes, I change wheels all the time but the happiness and the things this car has got me through throughout the years is a price money can’t buy. I think I can speak for the whole car community and say that cars are therapeutic no matter what you do. Every time I get in the car and put my foot down, it’s something that always makes me happy and will always put a smile on my face.
Now that it’s done, would you do anything differently?
I wouldn’t change anything about this car. Yes, I change wheels all the time but the happiness and the things this car has got me through throughout the years is a price money can’t buy. I think I can speak for the whole car community and say that cars are therapeutic no matter what you do. Every time I get in the car and put my foot down, it’s something that always makes me happy and will always put a smile on my face.
What is your favourite thing about the car scene in the South Island and something you think is done differently down there compared to the North Island?
I’d say it is all the amazing people I have met through the car community and I don’t think anything is different in my opinion. I think all car scenes are great, as long as you’re having fun that’s all that matters!
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This article originally appeared in New Zealand Performance Car issue 300
