2017 Toyota GT86 First Rocket Bunny Widebody Facelift Build World

Zack Hendershot

2017 Toyota GT86 Rocket Bunny Widebody 

Instagram: @iTwitchDaily

YouTube: @iTwitchDaily

"For the first time, I told myself it was okay to go all out and let this car leave a mark on my legacy." – Zack Hendershot

The Cinematographer Who Builds

My name is Zack, born and raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia. I'm a cinematographer and photographer here in Parkersburg, and I'm also in the process of starting my own clothing brand while also handling part of a concrete business my dad runs.

I have three awesome kids, and when I'm not busy working or being a dad, I enjoy rigging up my cameras or building PCs and gaming or riding my Harley. A lot of people also get confused with my Instagram handle, and no, I don't actually stream—but I physically twitch. At 18 years old, I was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, but without me telling you, most would never actually know that.

Fast and Furious and Hot Wheels: The Origin

When I think about what got me into cars, for the most part, my dad was what started my love for cars—whether it was intentional or not. From the abundance of Hot Wheels and other toys as a kid to taking me to the first Fast and Furious movie. As cliche as it may sound, the OG Fast and Furious actually kickstarted my passion for cars and the whole 2000s car culture itself.

My dad had a lot of cool muscle cars growing up. He and my mom actually used to go out and race on the weekends, and I believe he alone is responsible for my addiction to anything powered by gasoline.

Why the GT86? The First Rocket Bunny Dream

Why did I choose this car? Where do I even start? The FRS/BRZ/86 platform to most is such a basic sports car. Other than its stylish looks and great handling capabilities, it's really overlooked, and its engine performance doesn't help that either. However, when these cars were first released in 2012, I knew that one day I just had to have one. They quickly became my dream car.

Once Greddy released the first V1 Rocket Bunny kit, that's what really sold me. Seeing all these modern cars with bolt-on fenders quickly became a trend and took over the global car scene, and I just had to be a part of it.

In September 2016, my friend posted pictures of them unloading my car at a local dealership. That morning I rushed in, filled out the paperwork, and owned one of the first 86s in the eastern US and what would soon be the first Rocket Bunny Toyota '17 86 in the world.

Instagram Heroes and Going All Out

I think a lot of my influence to build my car the way I did came from Instagram. Some of my Insta heroes like @StayCrushing inspired me to get started on the platform as I fell in love with his build as one of the first-ever Rocket Bunny FR-Ss.

"Along with it being my dream car, for the first time, I told myself it was okay to go all out and let this car leave a mark on my legacy. Since then, no expenses have been spared to build the 86 of my dreams."

Celebrity Status: The Attention It Gets

"Owning this car almost makes you feel like a celebrity, to be honest," Zack says. "The attention the car gets is just unreal. You can't possibly run to the gas station or local restaurant without striking up small talk on the streets or in the parking lot. It's something I've grown used to and love."

This car has earned Zack many connections in the car world. "I've gained many friends from the car alone, and for that, I'm super thankful."

Still Unique Six Years Later

"In 2022, it's really hard to call my car unique as I feel there are almost more widebody chassis than stock chassis these days on my platform," Zack admits. "However, looking at my car, I still feel like it looks so different from any previous build before it or after it. It really has a unique quality to it that sets it apart from the rest."

"And I believe being the first widebody facelift in the world is a pretty unique quality in itself, even almost six years later."

Complete Build Specifications

Engine and Performance

• Vortech V3 supercharger
• Tomei equal length header
• Injen catless front pipe
• Invidia N1 Ti-tip exhaust
• Custom tuned on OFT
• ADD W1 oil catch can
• Factory Vortech intake delete with TurboGuard

Exterior

• Full Rocket Bunny V1 kit
• True Focus Fab rear bash bar
• Seibon carbon fiber hood
• Legsport-style rear duckbill
• Paint-matched headlights
• OLM OEM+ taillights

Interior

• Braum Elite X Diamond Edition seats
• Custom matching floor mats
• Custom white stitching armrest
• OneUp interior lighting kit

Wheels and Tires

• GMR VSS-16 wheels

• Front: 18x10 -15

• Rear: 18x12 -22

• Federal RS-RR tires

• Front: 215/40

• Rear: 255/35

• Vertex X Project Kics 2-piece lug nuts

Suspension

• Air Lift 3P management
• TruHart air struts
• PartShopMax rear lower control arms
• PartShopMax trailing arms
• PartShopMax toe arms

Who Did the Work?

"This car was my first all-out build, and it's taken me nearly six years. I'd like to see it done, but I know I'll always be changing things from here on out, whether it's small or a whole other revision."

Before this car, Zack had very little experience. "I could do the simple stuff like install coilovers or a front-mount intercooler. But that's about as far as my experience went. With this car, I've taught myself everything so far, and besides painting, I've done every ounce of work all myself. And I really take pride in that."

Future Plans

"Other than some simple cleanup and organizing, I don't have a whole lot of future plans for the car at this moment," Zack says. "Next year I plan to switch over to ECUtek and upgrade to larger injectors and fuel pumps and run a flex-fuel kit to convert to E85. Other than seeing more power to the wheels and a couple of supporting mods, any future plans just aren't on the table as of right now."

Advice for New Builders

"Probably the best advice I can give to someone looking to get into this chassis is to do it for no one other than yourself. The customization with these cars is limitless, as well as what you may decide to do with them—from show, drifting, racing. Enjoy the car, have fun, and make memories you'll never forget such as I have."

Group and Club

"As of right now, I'm a free agent. I've submitted a couple of applications to some bigger, undemanding car clubs. But I've been pretty picky about who I represent on my front windshield, so until someone comes along that I like and accepts me, I'm perfectly fine doing my own thing."

"With this said, the car scene has brought a lot into my life. I love seeing others passionate about similar things and enjoying cars just as much as I do. There's just something therapeutic about meeting up with friends and talking for hours in an empty parking lot with only your cars around. I've made some awesome friends from cars alone and some not-so-awesome, but that's going to happen regardless of your hobby these days."

Dream Car

"My dream car? Well, I'm currently driving it right now—that is, if we're talking about my first dream car. With getting older, I've found myself having multiple. As far as a realistic dream car goes, I'd love a Liberty Walk GT-R one of these days."

Final Thoughts

From Parkersburg, West Virginia, to being the first Rocket Bunny widebody facelift Toyota 86 in the world, Zack Hendershot's journey represents what happens when Instagram inspiration meets real-world dedication. Diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at 18, juggling cinematography, a clothing brand, a concrete business, three kids, and a Harley—Zack still found time to teach himself everything and build this Vortech V3 supercharged, Air Lift 3P bagged 86 entirely by himself (except paint).

"For the first time, I told myself it was okay to go all out and let this car leave a mark on my legacy." Six years later, that legacy is cemented—and with E85 flex fuel and ECUtek on the horizon, it's still evolving.

Call to Action

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