Real Restoration Success Stories from Copart Members: What’s Possible?

With Copart members like Emily Shields and Mat Armstrong showcasing impressive restorations, we're seeing more members sharing their own exciting before-and-after projects online. Discover what's possible for your next project.

From big creators to everyday members, the best part is seeing where these builds started - and what they became. Here are six Copart member projects worth a look.

2016 Volvo V60 Polestar

Copart Member: Emily Shields (with her partner, Lewis)
Damage: Front

This one’s relatable because it shows the real pace of a rebuild - including the annoying part: waiting on parts. With a brand new front bumper (including the trimmings!), an intake manifold, an intercooler and a radiator, by the end of the build, this motor was looking absolutely gorgeous.

What Emily repaired:

• Front bumper, grille and panels
• Radiator/cooling components (radiator, intercooler)
• Wheel alignment checks

Watch Emily’s rebuild video here on YouTube.

Browse similar Volvo projects on Copart

2015 Volkswagen Golf R

Copart Member: Will
Damage: Front

This Golf R didn’t just get put back on the road. Will used it as the starting point for a full-on upgrade build. It got the full works - from a full body kit, to Bilstein coilovers and a new exhaust setup, this build is something really special.

What Will did:

• New wheels and front splitter
• Full body kit and new exhaust setup
• Engine tune
• Carbon fibre bonnet and carbon rear wing
• Yellow calipers, sunstrip and a custom grille
• Bilstein coilovers
• Used specialist companies to complete parts of the repair/build

Browse similar VW projects on Copart

2018 Ford Mustang GT

Copart Member: Yakup – Berat Motors
Damage: Front | Side

This Mustang may have started out as a challenge, but Yakup turned it into a fantastic street build. With a new set of 20-inch shoes, a beautiful new carbon fibre bonnet, and a Mishimoto oil-cooler and radiator, this beast of a car has been turned into a head-turning monster.

What Yakup did:

• Mishimoto sports radiator
• Carbon fibre “Terminator” bonnet
• 20” alloys
• Lowering springs
• Mishimoto oil cooler
• Strut brace

• Browse any Ford projects on Copart

2007 Land Rover Defender 110 XS

Copart Member: KerbSafe
Damage: Rear

KerbSafe took this Defender back to its bare bones and gave it the full “do it properly” treatment - not a quick tidy-up, but a thorough, no-compromise rebuild done the right way from the ground up.

What KerbSafe did:

• Full strip-down (bars off, panels off, the lot)
• External bars shot blasted and re-powder coated in-house
• New engine and chassis components
• New body panels including wing, front bumper, bonnet, wheel arch, grilles and light surrounds
• Resprayed panels that needed a bit of TLC
• Tasteful upgrades while keeping the original Defender look (including new halogen lights)

• Browse similar Land Rover projects on Copart

2023 Porsche 911 GT3

Copart Member: Ethan Overton
Damage: Front | Rear

Ethan’s rebuild has been shared as part of his famous “Mini to Lambo” journey - a proper watch-if-you’re-into-it project. With major fixes like a new front tub and a new exhaust system, to multiple other bits like the headlights, the DRLs, and even the horn, Ethan got this awesome motor back to its former glory.

What Ethan did:

• New front tub
• New roll cage and interior upgrades
• New tyres
• New exhaust

Watch Ethan’s rebuild series:
• Instagram: Fitting a GT3 interior
• instagram: Fitting a GT3 Exhaust

• Browse similar Porsche projects on Copart

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

Copart Member: Mat Armstrong
Damage: Front

This one shows just how far a rebuild can go when the starting point looks almost too far gone to save. Mat’s SVJ Roadster, nicknamed 'Suzanne', arrived with serious front-end crash damage, wiring issues, missing or poorly fitted parts, and a long list of faults that only started showing themselves once work began. By the end, Suzanne had gone from a non-running wreck to a properly rebuilt supercar back on the road.

What Mat repaired:

• Front-end crash damage and bodywork
• Wiring issues and missing sensors
• Gear selection/start-up issues to get the car running
• Rear steering fault caused by damaged wiring and component issues
• Suspension-related faults including a leaking MagRide shock
• Rear heat damage after exhaust failure, including hoses, plastics, shielding and trim pieces
• Final reassembly, alignment, tyres, cameras and sensor systems

Watch Mat’s rebuild series:
• YouTube: Rebuilding a Wrecked Lamborghini SVJ
• YouTube: I Rebuilt a Wrecked Lamborghini SVJ

Want to Get Featured Next?

It’s always great to see the skill, effort and vision our members put into their projects. If you’ve got a project you’re proud of, we’d love to see it next.

To get involved, simply post your before and after shots on social media and tag Copart UK so we don’t miss it. You can find us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.

When you post, let us know the make and model - and include the Lot number if you still have it.

Prefer to keep it direct? Just send us a DM to our social accounts with your photos and a quick note about the work you’ve done.

We hope you enjoyed reading about these builds. They’re proof that a little vision, effort, and creativity can turn any project into something extraordinary.