We check out the floor-scraping static dropped Indy Yellow S2000 of Lydia El-Hoss. What a beauty!
The prices of some used cars are simply rocketing at the moment. People are clamouring over each other to withdraw their last pennies to invest their money in classic cars instead of putting it into a bank where you get almost zero interest for all your hard work. And, while the S2000 isn’t yet technically classed as a classic, it’s sure to be a future one.
Investing in cars makes complete sense to us – if it doesn’t to you then why in the hell are you even reading this mag? However, even if the car doesn’t make you money, at least you can nip out for a drive to put the smile back on your face!
After a long old search, Lydia El-Hoss bought her 52-plate Honda S2000 GT, completely standard, back in 2011. But, as you can see, it sits standard no longer. “I became obsessed with having an S2000 – even before I could drive I wanted one! When I sold my horses to move away, I decided it made sense to just get an S2000… as I could take it with me. I bought the car completely standard about six years ago now. It’s been an on and off project with being at University, but after I’d finished, the work really began and I got it to where it is now – with a few phases in between,” she told us.
So, what do we love about this modified Honda S2000? Well, among other things, have you seen that stance?! This thing is slammed. And, no, it’s not sitting on air ride – no bags here, no, no, no. This is all static lows, on HSD coilovers. “I couldn’t even tell you how much it’s lowered by, because it’s forever being tweaked. But yeah, it’s safe to say it’s low!” she laughs.
The car currently sits on a set of Schmidt Tracer Tech 2s (fronts – 18×8.5, et14 and rears: 18×10, et7), all housed by Landsil tyres (195/35×18 fronts and 215/35×18 rears). Lydia says the reason for this choice of tyre is because they stretch easily. Not too much, though, officer. We promise.
It’s not just wheels and lows, though. The 24-year-old went on to fit Duraflex rear over-fenders, as well as getting the wings widened and flushed, the front bumper, rear bumper and boot smoothed by Jaz Oakley at Endless Road bodyshop in Cardiff. To finish off the outside, she sourced and fitted some rather tasteful-looking US-spec headlights.
Then it was onto some mild engine mods. First off she fitted a new K&N induction kit – by herself, no doubt – we do love a lass who’ll get her hands dirty! A Tanabe Concept G exhaust was then fitted for extra noise, along with a Tegiwa decat. Finishing off the engine was a repaint of the rocker cover in Tiffany Blue (done by Endless Road).
“Engine modifications are one thing on my list. Now that it’s pretty much where I want it (bar wheels), I will be doing some major engine work in the near future. Having just bought a house is making that difficult, though,” she says. As standard, the wee 2-litre petrol unit produces around 242bhp. However, Lydia isn’t sure of what it’s running now, having not gotten it onto a dyno yet.
The colour, as you’re probably aware if you know your Hondas, is standard. But it’s had a full respray to get rid of any paint chips we all know and hate. But, as she’s hardcore and drives it daily it can be forgiven for having the odd one. Now, we’re a fan of lairy mods, but we don’t half love those mods that are simply sympathetic to the car, and a respray in the original colour is definitely that. And what a beaut colour Indy Yellow is, anyway!
With all the work that’s gone into the exterior, you’ll be glad to hear that the interior hasn’t been forgotten. There are a number of tasteful carbon accents fitted, including a new carbon clock surround, a new carbon stereo cover and carbon gear surround. The centre console has been finished off with a Zilla gear knob. In terms of seating, Lydia went for some Zilla glitter-back reclining seats, complete with custom plates made by Big Perm Customs, based in Swansea, as the seats were too narrow for the original rails.
Interior edits have been finished off by a Grip Royal steering wheel repainted in the same custom Tiffany Blue paint, to match the rocker cover done by Endless Road. A new NRG boss was also fitted, along with a snap off. For added base, Lydia went for a Kenwood subwoofer, which is tucked away under the seat.
Lydia has owned a few cars in her short time, including an EG Civic, as well as a rather cool modified for off-road use Mitsubishi L200. She currently has a BMW 840 that is being worked on by Big Perm Customs at the moment, so we look forward to seeing what she does with that. She also has an A5 which she runs as her sensible daily.
Despite current focus being put on the BMW project, the S2K will always have a place in her heart and we can let you into the fact that it won’t be staying as it is. Lydia told us that she has big engine plans, but wouldn’t tell us anything more than that at this time.
She’ll be at a few more car shows this season in the S2K, including Trax and Ultimate Stance. So make sure you go check this thing out if you haven’t seen it in the metal already!
We’re already looking forward to seeing what she does with that engine!
TECH SPEC: HONDA S2000
STYLING
Rear over fenders; widened and flushed front wings; flushed front bumper, rear bumper and bootlid; OEM Mugen edition front lip and spoiler; US headlights.
TUNING
K&N induction; Tanabe Concept G exhaust and Tegiwa decat.
CHASSIS
HSD coilovers; Schmidt Tracer Tech 2 wheels; reinforced sills.
INTERIOR
Carbon clock surround; stereo cover; gear surround; Zilla reclining seats; Grip Royal steering wheel; NRG boss and snap off; Zilla gearknob. ICE Under-seat Kenwood sub.
THANKS
Big thanks to Jaz at Endless Road; Greg and Shane at Big Perm Customs; Ian at Crystal Clear Auto Detailing and Team Zilla.
Words Danielle Bagnall Photos Dan Pullen
