Abandoned Brabus Rescue - Saved from Death Row (it's a 1 owner car too)
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- Опубліковано 12 жов 2024
- Abandoned Brabus Rescue - Saved from Death Row (it's a 1 owner car too). In this project car episode Jonny Smith finally begins the resurrection of a 2005 Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus that he'd seen in Trent salvage yard during filming a video on modern scrap yard operations. Is the car worth saving? Rob at S2 Smarts ( s2smarts.co.uk/ ) makes the expert decision...
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Jonny Smith
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
#abandonedbrabus #cheapestbrabus #salvageyard #thelatebrakeshow #4k
Well saved Johnny!
How does a car become "un-scrapped" or was it never marked as scrapped by Trent's?
I've been well impressed with the quality of the Febi parts I've used on a couple of my veeheehicles.
Marked as Cat N, meaning non structural damage. That means it needs V5 applying for in my name and then a new MoT. That's it.
Febi parts are great. Did you make note of our AUTODOC discount code?
@@TheLateBrakeShow oh cool, that's pretty straightforward. I'd assumed that it'd be recorded as scrapped as soon as it went up on those racks.
And, oh yes, yes I have. Cheers!
I use Febi parts when I can
@@HAZYFALKIRKAll febi on my vw beetle front end 👍🏼
I took my Roadster Coupe to these guys several times when I had it, all SSGs and great to see them again.
More, more! Wanted this to just carry on, you big tease! Looking forward to seeing this back on the road, and already checking the classifieds for more SSB's.
‘We’re’ way too eager to write off perfectly good cars, it’s utter madness. Well done J 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Whenever this fella talks it's like I see fields of green; red roses too. Great car.
Sean Dyche has diversified!
Who is Sean Dyche?
@@TheLateBrakeShow sorry. Mixing interests here. Football reference!
Never had a chance to drive one of these but always thought they looked great.
Glad that you saved it and excited to see what it’s like when you get it on the road.
Jonny do you think you could encourage Autodoc to use a competent delivery company for us UK peeps please? I'm not ordering anything from them until they stop using Evri, since frankly there is little point when everything gets smashed or lost. They were decent to buy from back when they used GLS.
Autodoc but we can pop to local eurocar part dealer anyway.
Thanks for the shoutout to the website. Hopefully I'll be informed the next time you are down as I have some parts you'll need.
Totally agree about keeping perfectly good older cars on the road. I have two first generation smart forfours. A 2005 1.1 Passion forfour which has done 111,000 miles and I bought in 2006 with 10,000 miles on the clock. It has been utterly reliable, requiring only routine maintenance. I also have a 2005 first generation Brabus forfour which I bought in 2009 with 21,000 miles on the clock and has now ‘only’ done just over 70,000 miles. It’s a rare and understated/underrated hot hatch. Again, it’s been utterly reliable needing only routine maintenance. Neither are worth very much, so I’ll be keeping them for as long as possible. 😏
I worked for Smart when these were new, and can confirm the Brabus Roadster is a blast to drive - I even had a go in a Crossblade once
Lovely episode and so happy that you rescued it.
Always wanted to drive a roadster, I remember doing London to Brian 2003 and there was a Roadster with V6.
The mileage on that roadster is impressive, my 2003 ForTwo only got to 98k 2012 and that was after one engine rebuild & was serviced properly by my mate Jon (another SSG)
Am I the only person who wonders if Rob sees "Trees of Green and Clouds of White"? 🤔
What a wonderful world of Smarts he lives in 👍
I had forgotton about this little car,Looking like great progress and so nice the former owner has got in touch.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this whilst eating my dinner tonight, Jonny. Looking forward to how this project car progresses 👍
I Complement you on saving this Brabus, I worked at "Smartville Hambach" back in 1994 to 1998 on the MCC Project Tridion design along with being the 1st to bring the Smart Car to the UK (LHD) way ahead of its time, I tried to get it to be designed as an Electric Version, even mocked up a Tridion rolling shell with electric motor, but was told it had to be fuel powered !!!. Oh if only they listened and went with my development then !
Well done for saving the car Jonny. I really miss my Brabus Roadster - such a fun car to drive.
Such a cool car Jonny; well done for saving it. I have been buying Febi parts from Autodoc since my local independent closed down.
So glad you have saved this modern classic. I have the slightly newer 2023 Smart #1 Brabus, it also has a slightly more 428 hp 😮. Joking aside thank you Jonny. ❤
How are you finding the Smart #1 out of interest?
@@TheLateBrakeShow had it a year now 7,800 miles. To say that I love it is an understatement. I’m a 74 year old boy racer this is my forever car I will never sell it.
Loved that, more please! (And the Boxster...and the 2CV!)
Looks like a fun project
I look forward to following its progress.
Peter Jones is the man for the roof
awesome, this auto slipped my mind - glad to see it back!!!
I was about to sell my 452 coupe, but after seeing this episode I remembered why I actually bought it. I'm going to go for a drive. Thank you!
Funny how your Boxster had the same issue with sensitive electronics sitting in a puddle under a seat! Such a cool looking car, they never made it over to the US so far as I know. Glad you're reviving it!
Thank you Adam. Yes, really similar issue to the Boxster, but not quite as vulnerable boxes of tricks.
Brilliant to see this saved. I rand a Brabus Roadster for 3 years from 2004. Possibly one of the most fun cars I have ever had. I'd happily have another if I had the room in the garage, as they leaked in from brand new. One of the fixes was new seals in the roof, which felt like shark skin, So if your's do Jonny, I'd opt for getting a hard top roof setup.
Great save Johnny love these cars❤😊 can’t wait for pt2 😊
So nice to see! An American salvage yard would have stuck the forkloader tines through the door, lost a wheel, left the windows down, spray painted inventory numbers on panels, cut electrical wires flush with harness and piled parts on the glass. I’m meeting more and more people just trying to get this generation of cars back on the road before they’re discarded and parted.
I’ve never seen one in this green. It looks amazing! Saw the title, clicked immediately! Well done Johnny
Many thanks!
Good luck Jonny with your Smart Brabus journey ❤ I’m glad you’re getting new flexi line the way he hung that calliper seems unprofessional. Always use cable ties to hold callipers on to suspension parts when changing discs and pads. So that’s two cars you have now with water ingress problems. Hopefully it’s an easy fix. Your dodge is my favourite out of the collection. Great stuff 👍
Hoses were always going to be replaced, hence less need to be careful with the old units.
@@TheLateBrakeShow I suspected so. I certainly wasn’t saying that either you or the garage don’t know what they are doing I just wanted to share the information that it’s bad practice. Is there any way you could permanently seal the boxes on the brabus and the boxter to prevent water ingress as I’ve never been able to keep water out of soft tops unless it had a metal folding roof.
Love the barn finds really enjoy the channel oh and how is the little tortoise 🐢.
Saw and old fifth gear the other day too.
I think we are similar age (1979) so I guess we grew up with similar experiences.
Good luck Jonny 👍👍
Absolutely great video Johnny. Such an unusual car even for you sir. Definitely needs to be kept and I think wrapped too. Great to see it begin to come back to life again. Those guys working on it seem proper SSGs!
Couldn't agree more! Thank you. If I wrap it again I think Alfa QV green?
Another great video,start of what looks like a really interesting project! It’s good when the cars are slightly offbeat 😀
Brilliant little car, so glad you have saved it.
Loved the way you did the Autodoc parts when inside that engine bay, ye mad thing :) Happy to see the Brabus getting back on the road, must admit this car fell under my Radar but for the time I was busy raising a family and was driving the obligatory family car(s).
Great project Jonny. Crying out for Dry ice
It is!
This brings back memories. I had a coupe in black with some mods. It eventually had 133bhp which isn’t much, but it was a laugh in a small and relatively light car. A silicone TIK pipe was a great upgrade and a BIG performance remap, if Ian is still doing his thing.
Good work Jonny, another great video. I saw one of these Brabus once, outside Tanpitts Cider Farm, Taunton - it was quite impressive for such small car!
A very complete package of a sports car, but probably not taken seriously as a sports car because of dimensions and engine capacity.
@@TheLateBrakeShow that was the first small car that made me think that that’s the way we need to go - modern cars seem so fat and heavy!
You can see this car miles away with these wheels and you know it is special.
I 'found' a Smart Roadster Coupe some years ago where the previous owner took it apart and didn't know how to assemble it. I bought, stored it with the plan to resurrect it again sometime :-)
Have you assembled it yet?
@@TheLateBrakeShow Waiting patiently in line :-)
I have never seen one of thee before and have to say from my point of view it is the only short car I would give houseroom to, it is simply gorgeous.
Brilliant to see Johnny. I got a 55 plate Brabus in 2007 and still have it now. Can’t bring myself to sell it. Totally standard and locked away under a dust cover at 41000 miles or thereabouts
Hated seeing them cutting up the bumper though. That’s a red flag for me.
If you can't bring yourself to sell it then it must be a special car. What are they like to live with?
@@TheLateBrakeShownot sure where my reply went as it seems to have vanished !
I’ve not driven mine on the roads for a long time now. It comes out of hibernation once in a while and gets a once over. I’ve got a few other cars, mostly convertibles Mx5 mk3 Boxster 987, E36 M3 evo …. And a couple of big coupe things. You know how it is.
If you look for me on iG northernroadtripper you’ll see “the Brab” on a rare escape from the garage.
Enjoyed this one Jonny, S2 Smart is only 2 minutes from my doorstep too!
Cracking video Mr Smith, how close was that to being the end of that little car.
Well saved sir , can't wait to see the end result.
Really looking forward to seeing this progress Jonny.
These things are cool and rare to see these days too. They are quite Kei car inspired, so imagine they were popular in Japan at the time? That would be cool AF with a GR Yaris engine in it, thought over 260 bhp in one would be pretty terrifying! Maybe the salvage yard will get a rear ended GR yaris in soon
I work at Trents ..Absolutely love it 😊
Good man. Hope you are glad this one got saved
Greets from a Brabus Xclusive Coupe owner (since 2005)👋
I had a lovely Jack Black Xclusive coupe about 4 years ago. It had some decent upgrades such as a ported throttle body, forge dump valve and a remap to about 120hp. Interior had custom carbon and a Raid v6 steering wheel which transformed the way it drove. It was a great car and looked like a miniature exotic but maintenance was a pain in the arse and the ride was very harsh so in the end it got sold. I hung on to my Eunos Roadster which I ran alongside it as it's far easier to live with and a better drive. I'm glad I owned one but not sure I'd have another.
Got my Smart parts from Autodoc, good stuff. I have a 453. I have fond memories of my roadster, one of the first left hookers back in 03.
Great to hear. Remember your AUTODOC discount
Well worth saving it's a cool looking car indeed. Roll on Ep2
Leaving the adult decisions to the man who races smart cars 👌🏼
I take my 450 2006 fourtwo to Rob, and he does a great job. Will be going in a few weeks' time.
So many folks have recommended Rob.
@@TheLateBrakeShow he is good. Has 24 years of knowledge. Knows them inside out. Always recommend them.
Always wanted one of these, looking to get one once I move out of London
I always love to see any car rescued and put back on the road
Came close to buying a similar car at CCA last year. Wish I had. Pig hut Nick
Do it Nick.
Great video Johnny loved it
This is a great save, sadly in NZ these are/where a rare site, a friend had a roadster and I fell in love with it. this is like watching one of my dream builds
I love these cars, look so much fun to hoon around in.
That's a damn good looking car!
Bin the leaky roof, buy a hardtop. Retain the beautiful green colour. Nice
Absolutely loved my roadster. Wish I'd never got rid
on the facebook pages there is one guy tried to get 200 bhp from one of these engines , he failed but he did get 240 bhp !!! oh and welcome to the roadster club
Once you have fixed the roof. Rent a smoke machine and put it in the car. You will find the leak by seeing smoke come out of the car
You can have a rave simultaneously.
@@paddymuppy great idea 👍
What a great idea. Never heard of this before
@@TheLateBrakeShow it’s an Ed China hack TBH
I have always liked the Coupe Especially the Brabus
Great looking car glad ur saving it
Make sure you check and unblock the drains in the front scuttle! Drenches the interior footwells and therefore the ECU.
Had a great time with my inherited 451 before going EV. So nice to seeing a roadster being put back where it should be, on the B roads of Britain.
I almost, almost bought one new I even had a few test drives and a weekend with one, but I just couldn't love it enough. But looking back they were nice
As always, great stuff ✌
That is a COOL car man!!!!!!!
Looking forward to the next episode
Won't be long now
Doesn't every Smart Roadster suffer from "water ingress through the roof"? My wife's Coupe certainly does!
Everything thats missing in todays sporty cars
Low weight simple and nimble
You dont need big power with low kerb weight
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face
Good for you Jonny for saving it
This is wicked.
Not my cup of tea but as always I enjoyed the video keep up the good work!
Love it Jonny!
I like your videos. I would like to see a detailing video about this car. Greetings from Slovakia
Loved that
Wow, had no idea anything post 2000 had solid front discs
Have you seen their kerb weight?
Love the wrap colour
Brilliant! So pleased to see it getting saved.
Maybe a daft question.. all the effort to strip down the corners for stoppers. Why not just brush off all the crud on the exposed stuff while it's all, erm. Exposed. Caked mud and crud is surely just quickly brushed off?
Because of time. We will probably end with a rust neutralising potion.
@@TheLateBrakeShowsomewhere there is a shamen in a tent somewhere remote. He has your potion.
Pick me up a couple of his hair restore please.
Nice to see a 3rd gen camaro over in the uk.
Got a 993 3 cylinder in my Hijet and I only have about 43Hp from new!
blue camaro in the bg there of the smart shop - without the spoiler looked like.
Part of me wonders how reliable a 160hp engineer is. That would be fun.
Had a Roadster and Brabus Roadster in a previous life. Great fun little cars, really chuckable but it was always the gearbox that we couldn’t forgive. It was just shite!
Had the Roadster health checked and Mapped by S2Smarts, aswell Rob fixing the roof alignment. Mercedes couldn’t work out how to do it and wanted £1500 for a replacement including man hours. Luckily Rob knew how and it was a simple undo a bolt holding a worm drive for the cable behind the rear shelf and just freely adjust.
The saved Brabus = Grabus 😅
You should mention that it is not enough to order some things via number plate info.
Autodoc does not tell you this, in an obvious way at least.
For some things you need the factory number for the part. Otherwise you risk getting the wrong part.
I love these little cars.. I'll never sell mine
oh cmon back bumper is not that hard to take off..
Heres a question, is it the original engine in the smart?
I remember people saying the engines only lasted about 80k but having no sump plug didn't help
Change it to an electric drive train Jonny? Plenty of cheap 451 Electric Drives could be a donor. They are much quicker than the 453s
Have considered it, but would want more range than it could provide.
Definitely space in there for the other engine Brabus originally wanted to put in these things……. Dooooooo iiitt!
Are copper hard lines legal in the UK?
Yes. Absolutely they are.
A Tri Lug.. reminds me of the old Renaults.
Love it. How much will you be wanting for it?
When Jonny sells it? Not sure. He will let you know!
Autodoc !! Every thing I’ve bought from them has failed in less than a year , disc rotors , engine mounts 😫
Not if you buy the right brand. I always stick to OEM such as Bosch, Hella, Mahle, Brembo, Continental or ATE. Never had any problems. Might pay a little more, but considerably cheaper than anywhere else I have dealt with. Just need to plan ahead and preorder & make sure you order the correct part because returns are more difficult than if purchased locally.
I was under the impression that a car that has entered a scrapyard can not be returned to the road under any circumstances.
Cool car GWOS we didnt get them in the US
Nooo, don’t push up the price of Brabus Coupes when I’m looking to buy one!
Whoops. Sorry. Hopefully we drive up appreciation of these modern classics.