2001 Honda S2000 Purple Dream: Air Suspension Show Car Built Over Years

Owner: Fred D. Strube

 Vehicle: 2001 Honda S2000

 Instagram: @s2king_2001

Author / Photography: Donnie Rochin

 IG: @r0cean11_stanceauto

 FB: r0cean11 Photography

 www.r0cean11.com

"Don't let anybody tell you you can't build the car of your dreams, because you'll never know how high you can fly if you let them clip your creative wings." – Fred Strube

Not Chasing Trends, Just Building Personal

Some builds are created to chase trends.
Others are built to chase attention.

Fred Strube's 2001 Honda S2000 build was made for something way more personal.

Known as "Purple Dream," this striking purple-and-black AP1 is the product of years of passion, patience, and creativity. It's not a car that got thrown together overnight or built to copy what everyone else was doing. Instead it reflects the personality of the people behind it—Fred and his wife Jessica—who together transformed a once-stock 2001 Honda S2000 build (https://www.honda.com) into a show-stopping street car that's become instantly recognizable throughout the Northern California scene.

And the best part? It all started with a simple desire to go faster.

From Small-Town Roots to Car Culture

Fred grew up in Stockton, California but now calls Corning home. At 49 years old he's spent the last 26 years working as a Finger Joint Operator at Sierra Pacific in Red Bluff, balancing hard work with an undeniable love for cars.

That passion started young. His father owned a 1965 GMC Fleetside pickup and as a kid Fred was already learning the basics—sanding panels, laying primer, working with his hands in the garage beside his dad.

But like many enthusiasts from the early 2000s era, one moment truly pushed him into the import scene: the release of The Fast and the Furious.

"That movie really piqued my interest."

At the time Fred was driving a 2000 Volkswagen Passat but he wanted something faster. Something more exciting. Something that felt connected to the tuning culture he was falling in love with.

That search eventually led him to a local dealership in Red Bluff. And parked there was a Honda S2000.

The Car That Changed Everything

Ironically the 2001 Honda S2000 build wasn't Fred's original target.

He'd been looking at other options—including a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder—before noticing the AP1 sitting on the lot. But after seeing it in person and taking it for a drive, everything changed.

"I drove her home that day and the rest is history."

For Fred the S2000 represented everything he wanted:
A rare JDM platform.
A high-revving VTEC engine.
A true driver's car.
And something you simply didn't see every day.

Over time that clean roadster evolved into Purple Dream.

Building the Dream One Piece at a Time

Unlike many modern builds that happen all at once, Fred's 2001 Honda S2000 build evolved gradually over the years. And that's exactly how he thinks building should happen.

"Don't think you have to spend a lot of money at once. I started with one thing at a time."

The very first modifications weren't even performance related—they were audio upgrades. Like many enthusiasts from the 90s and early 2000s Fred started with a strong stereo setup before eventually shifting toward power modifications.

From there the 2001 Honda S2000 build slowly transformed.

Cold air intake.
Exhaust.
Suspension.
Interior work.
Custom lighting.
Carbon fiber accents.

Piece by piece Purple Dream became exactly what Fred envisioned.

Engine & Drivetrain: Keeping the F20C Clean

Under the hood sits Honda's legendary F20C 2.0L VTEC engine—a platform already known for screaming high RPM performance and a bulletproof reputation.

The setup remains relatively simple and clean, focusing on reliability and response rather than overcomplication. For this 2001 Honda S2000 build Fred wanted the engine to complement the show-focused appearance while maintaining that original AP1 driving experience.

Key upgrades include:

• Takeda intake
• Invidia exhaust
• Powder-coated purple valve cover
• Detailed engine bay accents
• Custom powder-coated components

The F20C still revs to 9000 RPM like Honda intended. The intake and exhaust wake it up without going overboard. The purple valve cover ties into the theme without being tacky. It's thoughtful rather than excessive.

D2 Air Suspension and Candy Purple Wheels

Purple Dream rides on a full D2 Racing air suspension setup allowing the car to sit aggressively low while still remaining comfortable and functional on the street. The aired-out stance paired with the wide Work wheels gives this 2001 Honda S2000 build dramatic presence whether it's parked at a show or rolling down the highway.

Wheels & Brakes:

• Work Meister S2R wheels
• 18x8 front
• 18x9 rear
• Powder-coated candy purple finish
• Cross-drilled and slotted rotors

The candy purple wheels are one of the biggest visual focal points of the 2001 Honda S2000 build. They tie perfectly into the overall color scheme and give the car a bold identity without overwhelming the rest of the build. The wider rear setup fills the fenders properly and the Work Meisters are a proven choice for show cars that actually get driven.

Interior: Purple Carbon Fiber and Takata Harnesses

Inside the 2001 Honda S2000 build continues the purple-and-black theme with a carefully coordinated mix of racing-inspired components and custom details.

Interior highlights include:

• NRG Prisma purple suede bucket seats
• Takata 4-point harnesses
• Custom Ballade roll hoops
• Purple carbon fiber switch panel
• Purple Bride shift boot
• Carbon fiber shift knob
• Alcantara DND steering wheel
• NRG quick-release hub
• Apexi VTEC controller
• NRG race pedals
• Custom ambient lighting throughout

The trunk setup was customized by Diosa Motorsports and features resin lighting, custom speaker integration, and personalized S2000 branding.

The interior manages to feel both aggressive and personal—exactly what a show-focused 2001 Honda S2000 build should be. The purple accents are consistent without being overwhelming. The harnesses and roll bar add legitimate safety equipment that also looks the part. And the ambient lighting creates atmosphere without looking like a cheap gimmick.

Audio System: Rockford Fosgate Throughout

Fred's roots in car audio are still very present in this 2001 Honda S2000 build.

The car features a fully upgraded sound system:

• Pioneer head unit
• Rockford Fosgate Punch 500 amp
• Rockford Fosgate Power 851 amp
• Rockford Fosgate P1650 mids and highs
• Rockford Fosgate P3 10" subwoofer
• Custom acrylic trunk enclosure

Even with the top down Purple Dream makes itself heard. The custom trunk enclosure looks clean and the Rockford setup hits hard without rattling the car apart. Fred knew what he was doing here—this is old-school audio knowledge applied to a modern show car.

Exterior: Carbon Fiber and Clean Execution

Visually the 2001 Honda S2000 build strikes a balance between aggressive styling and clean execution.

Exterior modifications include:

• Seibon carbon fiber hood with purple vents
• Diamond Light Works headlights
• VIS Racing side and rear components
• KBD SW polyurethane front lip
• CR wing
• OEM hardtop
• Custom Honda Odyssey fog lights
• Depo taillights

Fred intentionally avoided cutting up the body or going overboard with widebody styling.

"We tried keeping the body as whole as possible."

And honestly that restraint is part of what makes this 2001 Honda S2000 build work so well. The Seibon hood adds visual interest without being too aggressive. The purple vents tie into the theme. The CR wing provides just enough presence without looking like a park bench. The body lines stay clean and the S2000 shape isn't compromised.

Built Together: Fred and Jessica

One of the strongest parts of this story is that Purple Dream wasn't built alone.

Fred's wife Jessica has been involved throughout the entire process—from maintenance work to show prep to helping install difficult components for the 2001 Honda S2000 build.

"She's right there with me working on her and getting her ready for shows."

Fred even jokes that Jessica was the one who convinced him to finally start entering car shows after years of doubting whether the car was "show worthy."

Now? The 2001 Honda S2000 build regularly turns heads and draws crowds wherever it goes.

That partnership makes the build mean more than just parts and paint. It's a shared project that brought them closer together through the car scene. Not many people get to build a show car with their spouse and actually enjoy the process. Fred and Jessica figured it out.

Future Plans: Never Really Finished

Even after years of building Fred isn't done yet.

Future plans for the 2001 Honda S2000 build include:

• Seibon carbon fiber fenders
• Lowered Empire purple seats
• Custom 3-piece wheels
• Possible supercharger setup down the road

Like any true passion project Purple Dream continues evolving. The supercharger idea is interesting—boosting an F20C would wake the car up significantly while maintaining that Honda reliability everyone loves about the platform.

Community & Redemptionz Car Club

Fred proudly represents Redemptionz Car Club a group he credits with supporting both the 2001 Honda S2000 build and the people behind it.

For him the car scene has become much more than just cars. It's brought:

Friendships.
Travel opportunities.
Photo shoots.
Community.
Shared experiences with his wife.
And most importantly—a sense of belonging.

The car club aspect matters more than people think. Having a crew that supports your vision, helps with installs, shows up at events, and genuinely cares about your build makes the whole experience better. Fred found that with Redemptionz and it shows in how the car turned out.

Complete Build Specifications

2001 Honda S2000 Build - Engine & Drivetrain

• F20C 2.0L VTEC engine (stock internals)
• Takeda intake
• Invidia exhaust
• Powder-coated purple valve cover
• Custom engine bay detailing

Suspension & Wheels

• D2 Racing air suspension (full setup)
• Work Meister S2R wheels (18x8 front, 18x9 rear)
• Candy purple powder coat finish
• Cross-drilled and slotted rotors

Interior

• NRG Prisma purple suede bucket seats
• Takata 4-point harnesses
• Custom Ballade roll hoops
• Purple carbon fiber switch panel
• Purple Bride shift boot
• Carbon fiber shift knob
• Alcantara DND steering wheel
• NRG quick-release hub
• Apexi VTEC controller
• NRG race pedals
• Custom ambient lighting
• Diosa Motorsports custom trunk setup

Audio System

• Pioneer head unit
• Rockford Fosgate Punch 500 amp
• Rockford Fosgate Power 851 amp
• Rockford Fosgate P1650 mids and highs
• Rockford Fosgate P3 10" subwoofer
• Custom acrylic trunk enclosure

Exterior

• Seibon carbon fiber hood with purple vents
• Diamond Light Works headlights
• VIS Racing side and rear components
• KBD SW polyurethane front lip
• CR wing
• OEM hardtop
• Custom Honda Odyssey fog lights
• Depo taillights

Dream Car: Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

While Purple Dream already fulfills a major automotive passion, Fred's ultimate dream car remains one of the most iconic JDM legends ever created: the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34.

Makes sense for someone who fell in love with imports through Fast and Furious. The R34 represents that era perfectly and would be the natural progression from an S2000. Both are legendary JDM platforms that appreciate in value and never go out of style.

Final Words: Don't Clip Your Creative Wings

Fred keeps his philosophy simple and it applies to any 2001 Honda S2000 build or any build period:

"Don't let anybody tell you you can't build the car of your dreams because you'll never know how high you can fly if you let them clip your creative wings."

And Purple Dream proves exactly that.

This 2001 Honda S2000 build didn't happen overnight. It wasn't funded by sponsorships or built by a professional shop. Fred and Jessica did it themselves one piece at a time over years of work. They chose a color scheme that spoke to them even though purple isn't the "safe" choice. They built the car they wanted rather than the car social media said they should build.

The result is a show car that actually gets driven. A build that reflects real personality. A project that brought a couple closer together through shared passion.

That's what makes this 2001 Honda S2000 build special. It's not the most powerful S2000 out there. It's not running a K-series swap or a built turbo setup pushing 500 horsepower. But it's Fred and Jessica's vision executed properly and that matters more than any dyno number.

Purple Dream is proof you don't need to follow trends or chase clout. You just need patience, vision, and the willingness to wrench. ?

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