Ever since the Subaru XV Crosstrek debuted back in 2012, it has always given off the vibe of a modern-day Outback Sport; to be just as rugged as a regular Outback, but have the size of an Impreza hatchback. You can use them for various action sports, camping, you name it! However, like the case with other fresh Subaru models, it didn’t take long for people to want to start modding them. Whether it was lifting them up with some big meaty off-road tires, lift springs and body spacers or taking the other route of lowering for either stance/show, or even for performance reasons. Nowadays, you can’t go very far (especially up here in the Pacific Northwest) without seeing or hearing about modified Crosstreks. And if you keep in the loop on the modified Subaru scene, it is just about impossible to not hear or ask the question: “Who put a chassis-mount wing onto an orange Crosstrek?”

Justin Chapman bought his Tangerine Orange Pearl 2013 Crosstrek 4 years ago with approximately 32,000 miles on it. With racking the odometer up to just over 100,000 miles now; the car has seen some drastic changes in its time. At first, Justin explained to me that he enjoyed being able to go off-road with the car, but ultimately it was not what he wanted to do with it. Starting out on WRX struts and lowering springs along with white Rota SVN-Rs, the car stayed fairly subtle for a bit. It was a clean, put-together car but not over-the-top bold… yet. A couple months passed and the orange Crosstrek started to really stand out from the crowd of normal Subarus. Like the way of many enthusiasts, lowering springs were switched out for coilovers, one set of wheels were switched out for another set and more subtle changes appeared over time. At the same time this was all happening, Justin was in the middle of another large project. By implementing his original hexagon flow pattern down the side of the car to give it some fun and interesting visuals, this layout helped set the tone for Justin’s newly established brand that would assist bringing custom vinyl layouts (some even DIY) to local enthusiasts – Atypical Designs. After this is where the Crosstrek would take hold of the idea and concept of being atypical. 

Justin has never been a stranger to going outside the box with modifying cars. If you’ve seen his past car, a San Remo Red 2004 WRX, he and with the help of some friends developed a custom rear diffuser, along with doing what was presumed to be the first center-exit exhaust done on a GD Chassis Impreza. Years ago, and a close friend had created a car group called “Atypical”, and the phrase and name has stayed close to him ever since. It was a simple word that represents the idea of embracing originality, no matter what form that came it. “No matter what people think or say, at the end of the day, you can’t be afraid to be different.” He told me. This mindset is what has made Justin’s Crosstrek so unique and original from many other builds. It wasn’t the idea of pleasing anyone, it was doing what he wanted to do regardless of any other outside influence. With that in mind, projects on the orange Subaru took off. 

From both a second perspective and Justin’s, the Crosstrek gives off the vibe of “Time Attack Racecar” meets “stance and show.” Somewhere in the middle of those two completely different categories is where this car resides. He knew what he wanted the car to look like, but one of the biggest challenges he had came from the lack of aftermarket support for the newer Impreza chassis cars, so Justin had to get creative with many of the pieces and modifications. Starting with putting together a new center-exit exhaust to give the car a bit more volume out of the stock FA20, more and more custom pieces appeared. Sporting a newer 2016 front bumper, an aero kit was fabricated that consists of front splitters, side skirts and a large rear diffuser. This takes care of the lower portion of the car, but it is impossible to overlook the massive chassis-mount wing made by Battle Aero planted out back. Through cross-referencing and matching up part numbers, it was figured out that an 08-14 Impreza chassis-mount wing would bolt right up to the car. Most would think “Well, there is no way you can open the hatch now.” WRONG! Although it may seem like there isn’t any way to open the rear hatch fully, the wing will actually tilt back away from the car, giving the rear hatch access to fully open.

The trunk area is where the air tank and compressors for his Airlift V3 air suspension system resides that the Crosstrek now currently rides on. Along with the air system allowing the car to drop all the way to the ground, bright white Enkei RPF1s on 275/35R18 Continental tires tuck nice and neatly up in the wheel wells. Over time, the intricate vinyl layouts have been changed over to a special-designed lower side banner incorporating the Atypical Designs logo has been added. For upgraded lighting, dual-beam projectors were fitted into the stock headlights in addition to an upgraded C-Light system to give the car a more aggressive light setup, while the stock rear tail lights have been switched out with more modern Helix tail lights. Inside the Crosstrek, the basic stock seats have been pulled for a pair of black leather BRAUM racing adjustable bucket seats that have a nice orange stitching to match the car’s bright orange exterior. Adding to that, updated 2016 interior bits have been included in the revamp. Other interior modifications consist of upgraded speakers along with an upgraded Pioneer touchscreen head unit and subwoofer in the trunk area, white painted accent trim to match the white Enkeis and a digital controller for the bags mounted to the left of the steering wheel.  

These are just some of the details that make the orange Crosstrek unique. One of Justin’s favorite things about the car he said had to be the wing, due to the fact it catches so many eyes. “Some people love it, some people hate it. It’s fun seeing the reactions people have, there isn’t very much of a middle ground.” As far as I am concerned, I believe the chassis-mount wing helps amplify the persona this Crosstrek has taken on of having the styling cues of a Time Attack Racecar. I remember a fair share of times visiting him at home and seeing in his garage a multitude of photos of different car concepts that showed their design roots in big, large and aggressive aerodynamic schemes. Having all the inspiration around him while building the car up to what it has become now has had a definitive influence in the car’s changes and will continue to in the future. 

What is next for this loud n’ proud Subaru? Justin and I had discussed a few of the things that he plans to change on the Crosstrek and to put it simply – you will just have to wait and see. However, I guarantee the wait will be worth it! The amount of effort and detail that has gone into this build thus far is amazing. Putting together something that beyond all measure, it is something he can look at and appreciate every single day knowing it was put together by him, for him. Despite his choices not being some people’s cup of tea, that does not matter in the end. I certainly believe Justin and his Crosstrek are a strong, yet humble reminder that there is nothing wrong with being a little bit atypical.

 

By Anthony Yastrum – @stiish_tony

 

Justin’s full build list:

Exterior
2016 Crosstrek Front bumper swap
Custom aero endplates
Custom side skirt extensions
Custom rear diffuser
2012 Impreza front lip
Battle Aero chassis mount wing
Bi-Xenon Projector Retrofit w/LED C lights
Roof rail delete
Gloss black roof wrap
Subaru OEM sport mesh grill
Subaru OEM rain guards
ATYPICAL Designs Side Banners
Helix Taillights
Perrin stubby antenna
15% window tint
De-badged
Hella Supertone horns
GrimmSpeed bro-tie bracket

Engine
Center exit shotgun blast pipes
GrimmSpeed Alternator cover
GrimmSpeed battery Tie-down
GrimmSpeed lightweight crank pulley

Suspension/Wheels
Airlift Performance 3P
Adjustable LCAs (PC’d metallic purple)
Enkei RPF1 18×9.5 +38
Continental Control Contacts (275/35/18)
Muteki black locking lug nuts (12×1.25)

Interior/Sound
Braum Racing ELITE front seats
Planted Technology Seat Brackets
Full 2016 Crosstrek interior swap
Alpine ilx-007 head unit
Infinity speakers
Alpine amp
JBL 10″ sub/box
White painted center console/dash trim pieces
Hardwood laminate trunk flooring

Lighting
5000k HID low beam
5000k LED fog lights
Interior LED replacement bulbs
Multicolor wireless underglow kit

Brakes
R1 Concepts Slotted and drilled rotors with Ceramic Pads