Wrapper's Delight

This 2015 Subaru WRX STI proves it’s often the simplest modifications that make the biggest impact...

- Dan Goodyer

When vinyl wraps started appearing on cars, it was to advertise stuff.It was created back in the 1920s, but was too flimsy at the time to cover a car effectively. It wasn’t until the early ’90s that the concept of covering a car in vinyl material became a reality. A German firm was tasked with creating a vinyl wrap in the special beige colour required to turn regular cars into taxis. The idea being that the cost of making and fitting a printed vinyl sheet would be cheaper than painting each car. The vinyl wrap was born.

Initially it was every marketing company’s dream. Soon after, London taxis were covered in rolling adverts, selling everything from theatre tickets to aftershave. Eventually ‘wraps’ made their way into the aftermarket tuning scene, especially when big companies like 3M started producing vinyl in every colour imaginable. Not only is this a great way to save a bit of money over the cost of a full respray, a wrap is completely reversible. In fact, many supercar owners wrap their cars primarily because, when done correctly, it actually protects the original paint underneath.

Another advantage of wrapping is you can have literally any design or racing livery you want. All you have to do is draw it out on a computer first and then print it out. So you don’t need to settle for just one colour. Which leads to unique rolling works of art, just like Mark Godfrey’s Subaru WRX STI. Initially it was gloss black, but now it’s covered in a fresh take on a racing livery, complete with door number and sponsor logos.

‘When I bought the car three years ago, I didn’t think I would modify it this much,’ admits Mark. It’s a familiar story. We’ve all felt the strength of that addiction; upgrade just a couple of bits on your car and, before you know it, you’re building a show-winner or trackday monster. Usually with every pound and penny in your bank account.