Harrop Engineering has been a leading innovator in Australian performance motoring and manufacturing for over six decades. Most known for their wide array of automotive go-fast bits, the brand now lends their manufacturing skills to a range of applications including the transport, heavy industrial and earth moving sectors.
Performance motoring enthusiasts however, probably correctly associate the brand with their extensive range of supercharger kits, brake upgrades and diff’ lockers that are high on just about any rev’ heads wish list.
The Harrop Engineering name is cloaked in an air of quality and prestige, and Toyo Tires has been lucky to partner with the team on a number of their prototype and developmental vehicle builds.
We’ve shortlisted some of our favourites, including a few from back in the archive that might surprise you!
More information on all of Harrop’s wild builds can be found in the ‘Project Vehicle’ section of their website.
Toyota 86
Harrop correctly tipped that the Toyota/Subaru 86/BRZ collaboration would become one of the aftermarket’s most popular tuning platforms, and wasted no time getting their hands on one to tweak!
Initially benefitting from a host of handling and aesthetic upgrades, the car would ultimately end up with a stroked and supercharged engine! The distinctive red Forgeline wheels wore our Proxes R888 tyres.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Development of Harrop’s supercharged FJ Cruiser came long after it had left Toyota showrooms in Australia, but the popularity of the platform in other markets prompted the Harrop team to develop a TVS1900 supercharger upgrade kit for the vehicle.
Designed to push the catalogue of aftermarket parts to their performance limits, the team wanted a tyre that could keep up, as well as complement the intimidatingly tough demeanor of the FJ. Our Open Country R/T looks right at home!
Supercharged RAM
As large-platform American trucks continue to proliferate Aussie roads, it was never going to take long for the Harrop team to procure one for development!
As well as upgrades for historically-available ute platforms like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, the arrival of the 5.7L Hemi V8-powered Dodge RAM prompted the Harrop team to prototype a TVS2650 supercharger upgrade for the vehicle.
The result? “Nail the throttle and the Ram truck shoots off the mark …the grunt is there right from the get-go,” praised 4x4 Australia Magazine in a review of the 400+kW work truck!
Y62 Patrol
Given Harrop’s documented history of supercharger upgrades for V8 engines and their increasing profile within the 4x4 and off-road aftermarket, it should come as no surprise that Nissan’s V8-powered Patrol was on their radar.
It’s not just the 480hp supercharged V8 powerplant that got our attention, though! Once again, the Harrop team proved they had a flair for vehicle styling, blacking out the exterior and stuffing 35in Open Country R/T tyres and Method Race Wheels under the guards.
Superado
Superado was an impressive deviation from the team’s tuned road cars, and launched them in to low-volume vehicle manufacturing. They’d graduated from parts manufacturing and bolt-on performance upgrade kits to offering completely engineered driveline swaps for late model dual cab utes!
As a nod to their long lineage with the Holden brand, the team worked to replace the Colorado’s 4-cylinder diesel driveline with Harrop-supercharged, LS-series V8.
To achieve engineering compliance, the vehicle was rounded out with extensive suspension upgrades, diff’ lockers for traction and a Harrop braking kit. The Superado wore Open Country R/T tyres on bright red Method Race Wheels.
Ferrari 458
One of the crew’s wildest development vehicles was their tuned Ferrari 458. Subtly tweaked with an Akrapovic exhaust system and staggered Forgeline wheels, we were able to supply 245/35ZR19 front and 315/30ZR20 rear Proxes R888 tyres for the car to compete in MOTOR Magazine’s Hot Tuner Challenge.
