Project Black & Yellow

1

Undercover agent breaks cover

When it comes to modified street cars, less being more is often key to getting the best results. Michael Yarde has chosen just such a route to create a subtly distinctive presence on the streets of the North East.

“It’s something that non-petrolheads just won’t understand, so there’s no point trying to explain it to them..”

“A lot of people ask why I “waste” so much money on my cars. For me, it’s not a waste. I don’t want a car that someone else can have. I want mine to be unique. It’s something that non-petrolheads just won’t understand, so there’s no point trying to explain it to them…”

Fiesta graffiti

Like so many, Michael was bitten at an early age and couldn’t wait to make his mark on his first car which was, due to the punitive insurance faced by every young driver today, a low key Fiat Punto. But Michael wasn’t satisfied, so fast forward to February 2012 when he was on the lookout for a Frozen White MK6 ST Fiesta. When that escaped his clutches, black became the new white.

Enter the car you see now. Or rather the basis of the car you see now.

Fiesta garaged

June 2012 saw the start of the subtle transformation.

“I can’t remember the point at which I really decided upon the black and yellow theme for my ST, it just kinda happened.”

“I can’t remember the point at which I really decided upon the black and yellow theme for my ST, it just kinda happened. But over the months it kept growing and changing, a little splash of yellow here, and a little hint there. It’s something I’ve never seen done to the same level again, and I quite often get a lot of compliments at shows and meets of how good the yellow accents look.”

It wasn’t just the exterior appearance that gained his attention. Ford had purposely detuned the MK6 ST engine so that it was a little less lairy, and so cheaper to insure. With a few choice modifications, he was able to extract a few more ponies from the engine.

He started by ripping out the labyrinth of piping that classifies as an induction system and replaced it with a K&N 57i. Due to the far shorter pipework and larger more efficient cone, the difference was immediate. The engine gained a throaty induction roar about 3500rpm, and a throttle response that was noticeably more punchy.

Fiesta underbonnet

By now Michael was well and truly hooked. So he began the next stage of the transformation with a Milltek Non-Resonated Cat Back. It did exactly what he wanted, providing no noticeable performance increase, but delivering a cracking soundtrack.

July 2013 saw a significant change in his financial situation, as he managed to secure an 12 month internship between his 2nd and 3rd years at University. Naturally, instead of saving in preparation for returning to University for one last year, the ST saw a number of significant upgrades. Specifically, finishing the exhaust with the addition of a Milltek 4-1 Race manifold and Milltek 200 cell Sports Cat, and then the addition of Eibach Springs to finally eliminate the ST’s OEM 4×4 look.

Things got to the point where he felt Project Black & Yellow was finished. After 2 years of near constant tinkering, there was little left that he was willing (or able to afford) to do.

Fiesta dashplate

The end result is what you see now. An undercover agent breaking cover and now up for sale as Michael already hankers after his next project: an Ultimate Green MK2 Focus RS. Seems the man has a thing about the Blue Oval. And power, too. Apparently he’s planning an engine boost to around 400-420bhp. No doubt it’ll all be done in the best possible taste.

After that a Skyline GTR might be next… but if you’re interested (and it’s not already sold) drop us a line here at NGKTorque and we’ll pass it on.

Tags: , , , Published on 7th May 2014

  • Michael Yarde

    Absolutely extatic with how this feature looks! Thanks to all at NGK Torque for asking me to be a part of this, even more so right from the first issue!