Where there is old modified Subaru’s, there is a need for parts. Part outs can be somewhat controversial. On one hand the parts serve a use in further cars, and often more than one. On the other, and as the purists will argue, there’s no excuse for the destruction of rare cars unless they’re truly unsalvageable.
Well here at Mobsters, we thrive on the art of the part out. In fact, most of the group hangs at my place are for a part out. Given the way 2020 panned out, with my broken EJs and Rona, it was a welcome change to get the boys over (minus Connor who sadly couldn’t make it) to strip my recently acquired Legacy.
I copped some flak for this one. 74,000km original Legacy GT wagon, there was probably nothing like it in Australia, at least Gen 1 wise. But it came with a big caveat, it sat in a warehouse for many years with no compliance, and sadly despite making an attempt to change that, I was unable to have the car listed as anything other than “FOR PARTS USE ONLY”. But that’s okay. I was desperate for an interior of real quality for my RS Wagon build, and will be utilising much of the rest for another project coming soon.
So one Saturday morning in December, we set about stripping the car and uncovering what we could of its story. Before a single bolt had been undone, we got to enjoy the rich history of an import. 30 odd brochures in the boot. All in Japanese. Our boy Dave set about deciphering the ancient text of the motherland and it was not what we expected. Wait for it. The brochures, for a series of mobile fashion conventions. We were probably left with more questions than answers learning that. But from what we could gather, the car must’ve been owned by a travelling salesman in Japan. The wear inside the car was also consistent with this as opposed to the car being a family commuter. The passenger front and the rear seats were all immaculate, almost like they’d never been sat in. With minor wear on the driver’s seat and to the plastics in the boot. Having had our morning’s entertainment, we set about stripping it.
As I said earlier, we at Mobsters have been here before, so no bolts were rounded and no parts were broken. After lunch, with Jeff as head supervisor, the engine and transmission came out. To our surprise the auto was factory stamped with an STI logo. Sounds like up-badging I know, but in 1992 when STI was in its infancy,they didn’t plaster the logo on everything for the street cred. I was given a few suggestions as to what it may mean, but more investigation is required on that front. By days end, there was not much left of the poor Legacy, but it will get put to good use. But even better was the opportunity to get back to what Mobsters is about, a few mates having a laugh and spannering away.
Jordan, look out, the Simpreza is next…