Chris’ Toyota MR2 - Built Over Time
Some builds start with a plan. Others begin with a vibe and a shopping list. For Chris, it was the latter - and it all kicked off the moment he passed his driving test. The modifying bug bit early, but it wasn’t until he got his hands on his first Japanese car - a very clapped-out MR2 - that the real journey began.
That led to a string of JDM purchases, a couple of MR2s came and went, but eventually he found the one - a clean turbo model - and what started as a casual project slowly became a nine-year-long evolution.
“I bought the car basically stock. I didn’t have a plan, really. I just bought cool parts and put things together to see where my imagination took me.”
That approach has resulted in one of the most personal, hand-curated MR2s out there. It’s not chasing trends - it’s just exactly what Chris wanted it to be.
The build:
The heart of Chris’ MR2 has been thoroughly worked over, with strength, response, and boost in mind. The engine now runs forged internals and a hybrid turbo setup, with meth injection for a little extra punch when things get hot.
- Forged CP Pistons & Manley Rods - Strength and reliability for higher boost.
- Hybrid Turbo - Chris has gone through a few variations to find the sweet spot.
- Methanol Injection - Keeps intake temps down and adds safety under load.
- Enclosed ARC Intake & HKS BOV - Quality supporting mods with classic JDM flair.
- GReddy Trust Intercooler - Tried-and-tested cooling.
- Magnecor HT Leads - Just one of many carefully chosen details.
For the exterior, rather than stick to one kit, Chris went full mix-and-match, selecting his favourite pieces from different manufacturers and blending them together into something custom. This includes:
- GReddy Front Bumper, Bomex Sideskirts, TOM’S Rear - A combination rarely seen together, especially with the TOM’S bumper cut to fit a custom diffuser.
- Autopista Rear Wing - A bold finishing touch that ties the whole silhouette together.
- 3E5 Toyota Red Paintwork with Gold Flake - Looks OEM at first glance, but comes alive in the sunlight with a subtle shimmer.
Now for handling and wheels, and as you can imagine, there's been no expense spared here either. True to the MR2’s mid-engine handling DNA, the chassis has been upgraded to match the power and sharpen the car’s feel on the road.
- Meister R Fully Adjustable Coilovers - A solid choice for fast-road balance and adjustability.
- SuperPro Anti-Roll Bars (Front & Rear) - Tightens things up and reduces body roll without ruining drivability.
- SSR Integral GT2 Wheels in Powered Silver with Silver Flake - Lightweight, aggressive, and period-correct. The real showstopper?
- Custom Self-Levelling Centre Caps - Each wheel features a magnetically removable image, with 8 designs Chris swaps out for shows.
“It’s a little thing, but the custom centre caps are one of my favourite parts of the whole build.”
Though the car looks finished, Chris isn’t one to sit still. He’s already turning his attention to a new build - an RX-7 being brought up to show standard - but the MR2 remains a clean, complete part of the fleet. Perhaps we'll see the RX-7 on TLNTD before long too.
“No sponsors, just friends making irresponsible financial decisions since 2012.”
Shoutouts to the following people who have helped Chris - Jason Hardy, Nathan Bartle, Guy Campbell, Max Harper, Ed Corner, James Hörnig. And of course, a massive shoutout to Chris' wife Felicity who has supported and gotten stuck in over the years.
Where to Catch It?
Chris is a regular at The Motorist near Leeds most weekends, and you’ll catch the MR2 (or maybe that RX-7 soon) at shows across the country whenever the weather cooperates.
“If the sun’s out, one of the cars is probably out somewhere too.”
This MR2 is a great reminder that builds don’t need a deadline. Some of the best cars come together over time - shaped by the people around them, and finished not for fame, but for the love of it.
A huge thanks from us, to Chris, for giving us insight into this epic build. We're looking forward to seeing the rest of the builds and you can keep up with the journey by following them on Instagram @zip_tie_certified
If you think your build has what it takes to feature on our build breakdown, get in touch now by emailing support@tlntd.co.uk or reaching out to us on socials! Make sure you following @tlntdmedia on Instagram and TikTok to get your daily fix of quality automotive content!
