Conan

Replaced the rear shock absorbers today. I ordered good quality Tokiko (OEM) shocks online for £30 a while back but only got the chance to fit them. I sent the car to a trusted suspension shop. Guess how much they charged me. ... Five. Fucking. Pounds. Granted they're extremely easy to replace. Still I wouldn't do it myself for the sake of £5.

joo hajosiko tojotasi

I had to go run some errand so only uploaded the detailed* installation video. Might be confusing as to what I've actually done. The original grille was bent at the top in such a way it cannot be bent back into shape. Even on the picture it is obvious. Last night a mesh hardtop coupé grille appeared on FB Marketplace for cheap so I took this opportunity to fix that. I've been looking for one for a while now. SCHPORT. Before. After. Truth be told after I installed the mesh grille I wasn't completely taken by it despite actively seeking one before. Not that I hate it, just that I wouldn't mind either type on the car. Then again, I'm keeping the original blocky grille so I can swop it out anytime if I ever feel like it.

msccorona.mp4

Same reason many other big liftback cars are unsuccessful I believe. If people were to buy a big car back then they'd want a booted version. Even with nearly no luxurious pretention. In the UK these would've been replaced by the Carina II with liftback body available. As it happen, it's not just the Corolla that they kept both FWD and RWD platform in the same period. In Asia and Oceania we got the Carina II as Corona FF, while the RWD Corona becomes the T140 which wasn't available as a liftback. The FWD caters to people who wants modern, while the RWD caters to people who wants the same as before thank you. T140 was pretty much the same as the T130 while the T150 FWD was all new. It's telling how well Toyota was doing back in the 80's when they could just make 2 completely different cars on 2 of their most popular line of cars. Most other would just switch over. Would the saloon be hen's teeth rare as well? They do rust like pretty much all Japanese cars back then. The only reason mine survived is because of the kinder climate. Had it been in use similarly in the norther place it'd probably already dissolved by now. No wonder the only place with numerous amount of these is Australia. Reading about these I found 3T engine response really well to Webers and tubular exhaust manifold. I'd probably do that eventually. Not the main priority right now though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_City#Fifth_generation_(GM2/3;_2008)

So I washed the car today and saw one corner of window tint is peeling. I then start to peel it further and found it's much easier than I'd thought. Be gone tint. Suddenly the car feels much more friendly and the inside much more airy. I put some period JDM stickers on it too. Because I'm a weeb like that.

Fookin hell that took way longer than expected. Finally got the car back with superb air-conditioning system. New compressor, new heat exchanger, new tubing, pressure switch install, and a whole bunch of relays and new wiring so it's safe to use. It was expensive but important stuff. £350 to sort it out. The timing is pretty correct as the air-con on the Lolvo decided to not conditioned about 2 weeks ago. Feels like dying from dehydration just driving it 15 miles to the shop today. So I just left it there and drove the 'rona back. After I got the car back I changed the gear knob for period correct Celica knob. Did the lace steering cover too because the wheel is fucked and nothing else will do. Also did the window winder which was easy. Now I have to sort the V5. Also I'd probably remove the window tint. I still don't have any regrets buying it. A lovely car to drive.

Vauxhall FD Series is the best looking saloon car of the period. Bar none. It looks so correct in every way. I love them when I discovered it in pictures. When I finally get to see one in metal (an exceedingly rare chance considering over here they sold about 5), even though it was in shocking condition, it's still clear how correct the designers got it. I don't care how it is dynamically, not that I'll ever get a chance to experience one, I love this car in every way.

Yea... about that. I did not put it on sale. The plan was still the same (hairnet drive later this year) despite the 'rona which I've already chronicled here. However, a friend of mine offered decent amount of money for the Mazda. Way more than I'd want for it when I'm done. It's sold. Gone. The only car I've ever sold for more than I've paid for it. On the one hand I've glad to fuck it is gone. The bastard thing fighting me every step of the way. On the other hand I'm sad to see it gone. Weird, this is the first time I've ever feel that way selling a car, maybe because it's so sudden. I like driving it. It's now sorted enough that I'd not hesitate taking it on 500 miles road trip. Although, considering that, I doubt it'd have lived much longer had I not took it on. No one else would shower that much care and attention on it. Well, if it's true that internal combustion engine is dying, I'd like to experience more before I don't have the chance to.

These all had 4-speed manual until 2021 when they went to 6-speed. 😛

Back then each model of Toyota had so many body variation it's a wonder they can turn any profit! I really get the appeal of these liftback though, they're quite practical and absolutely stylish. Sadly I don't have the space or the need to keep these Enkei Compe. I'm sure someone with something similarly retro will find a use for it.

Today I put the somewhat OEM wheels on with near new 165SR13 tyres. It looks very correct and this makes me very hapi. I reckon it's more handsome this way so the Enkei Minilite that were on it will be going very soon.

First Pez after 4 days. There was 3/4 tank of E10 when I bought it. Still half a tank left today. Another tank full of E0 surely would make it run like race car. I've decided that I don't like Auto-choke. I'd rather have cable. Can't stop looking at it. The styling I'd describe as kitsch as hell for the late 70's. But now it stands out a mile in the sea of boring moderns.

I wish it's that good! The pictures really are flattering. There's quite a few rot spot especially on the doors but that's to be expected. Nothing that can't be remedied with sparking stick though! Interestingly, the high end Japanese spec are also fitted with thicc rubber bumpers and these Corona always have sealed beams until 1980 facelift. USDM was in vogue back then.