Toyota Sera

[Volksy]

Some may remember the free shite that Kinkersaab was giving away.

 

Between Hillman Imp and myself, we managed to scrape enough together to get it shiplyed down to Leeds. It arrive on Friday night, on a Multicar transporter.

 

Inital impressions were good, it sits right, started on the button, and despite a very damp interior (has a broken window), the inside is quite a nice - if very brown - place to be.

 

It's missing a fair few bits an pieces, but most parts seem available with a bit of digging around. So a day yesterday was spent de-mossing it, (it was last on the road in Feb 2010 judging by the Tax Disc), Assessing the state of everything, managed to get most of the electrics working again, gave it a good t-cut and buff up. So now need to get it watertight, and we can start on the interior. Anyways here's some photos!

 

The clean up begins.

 

Exterior about done

 

 

 

 

It's had the arse end painted at some point, in a different colour, so maybe intentional, or not, who knows!

 

It's quite a peppy little car, so next stage it's in for an MOT, and see what happens there.....

 

Many thanks to Kinkersaab for being so patient whilst we got the transport organised!

[mk2_craig]

Smart! There's a few over here and they seem to change hands for incredibly large amounts of cash. I don't relish the prospect of having to find body parts for one, but well done for rescuing it, surely gotta be worth investing a bit of time and money in it.

[retrogeezer]

There is a fella that takes one that colour to few shows around the North West, he wants about £3k for it!! I've got a pic somewhere.

[nigel bickle]

OMicron -the Lancia specialist in Norfolk were dealing in them. Andrew Clifton (proprietor) son was buying and breaking them a while ago.

 

Address from memory was The Long Barn, Mulbarton, somewhere rural in Norfolk...

 

They may well have the parts- they wont be cheap...

[Volksy]

Thanks Nigel,

 

Have been in touch with him already - he runs the Sera Forum. Has some of the parts, and not that expensive thankfully. Have also managed to find another chap in Manchester a little cheaper. Seems to be quite a fan base for them!

 

On the subject of pricing, looking on the bay etc, people seem to ask, but not get, lots for them...

[nigel bickle]

Not over suprised at that. It kinda falls between the two markets.

 

I'll be interested to here your views -I was put off by the engine (too small) and the glasshouse effect of the roof.

Loved the doors though.

 

Good luck

[dollywobbler]

Nicely saved.

 

As has been said, it's an odd car to market. The doors are pretty much the only gimmick, but it's one you appreciate all of the time. Very odd driving around in a goldfish bowl! Fixing the aircon is a priority though...

 

To drive though, they're pretty dull really. Sure they can be spiced up a bit though.

[kinkersaab]

Glad you're pleased with it. With regard to value, im not sure how much it's worth, i guess a few hundred £ to the right person. I however was gifted it, and would have loved to do what you are going to, but also realise i would never ever have got round to it. I currently have 15 cars lying around, most of them needing something or other doing, one more would just be silly.

If it lives on to serve a useful purpose that is worth far more to me than is sitting gathering dust in my sheds. It does make a lovely rasp though doesn't it?

[barrett]

Nice to see this saved, I always liked the look of these. As for them being boring to drive, it surprises me they aren't a lot more popular - dull, reliable but interesting to look at is surely what made things like the Figaro so popular.

I look forward to seeing this progress, please do something about those wheels though...

[HillmanImp]

Fixing the aircon is a priority though...

 

Aircon seems to work. Just. It seems cold. Taking it to Kwik fit for a £20 regas or refund.

 

please do something about those wheels though...

 

They are awful. Volksy spent hours cleaning then up yesterday. They look loads better but don't hide the fact the car has tiny discs up front and rusty drums at the back.

 

 

People always buy wheels not really thinking whats behind them.....

 

I was ill yesterday so did not do as much as I should but we hit it hard today. Not sure if it should be on here as its mechanically sound and needs no welding but pretty sure we would be a big winner on Detailing World. I was very apprehensive but the car is a fucking winner. Its rot free and well looked after. Plus i can park in Aberdeen royal infirmary.

 

 

Its not been SORN'd though for a year and a half. However we painted the window frames,

 

 

took off the tar splatter 1 piece at a time, polished out the scratch on the rear arch:

 

 

Mended the windscreen wipers (they had seized due to lack of use - obviously coming from Scotland where it never rains), sprayed the spoiler, put the interior back together, cleaned the seats (but they need another clean - probably professionally), put a fuse in to get the indicators, reverse lights, and fog lights working lights working (it was in the passenger footwell??????), and figured out how the electric windows work. Goods days work.

 

It does make a lovely rasp though doesn't it?

 

I don't like the sound, buts its maybe because I have a proper sounding car in the GT6. Its blowing a bit which i will sort but as standard it sounds a bit like a Halfrauds boyracer backbox, I dont know its down to taste like the Black Eyes Peas. But others might like it. Thankfully the alter8or is quelling the sound with its squealing but the 2 cans of lubricant should eventually quell that. But other peeps might like it.

 

but also realise i would never ever have got round to it.

 

I can see how you felt about it. The boot plastic was ripped out its soaking on the inside, as dirty as a nun. We have spent 16 hours each on it so far so its not a piece of cake but I am getting a bit anal with it now. Its needed work but mainly cosmetic otherwise it was worthless. After a proper clean I am properly amazed as to how BANG TIDY this car is.

 

Sorry, here is the obligatory door open shot (when it arrived before it was cleaned)

 

As to how it drives? It shoots straight, pulls alright and starts on the button. Brilliant.

 

Has a bigger version of the engine out of this apparently and this is a fucking great car. Really revvy and fun to drive.

 

(the Toyota)

 

Its is a really nippl(l)y car.

 

This car is nice and worth putting a few quid in to keep it on the road. No last gasp welding (its never been welded by the looks of it) It could have been awful but its in amazing condition and thanks to Kinkersaab for sorting it out.

[Shep Shepherd]

Bit of a result there! Let's hope that the re-commission is as easy as it looks like it will be.

 

To me, the paintwork colour difference looks like a custom job, possibly done when the car was still in Japan. Does look quite good, though

[garethj]

Great to see one of these being helped along, I love seeing cars minty fresh.

 

After spotting the Toyota Paseo yesterday, I think we need a thread about obscure Japanese coupés

[kinkersaab]

cool. i hope he is pleased to hear what i did with it.....

[scooters]

There seems to be good oc/forum support for these and when tarted they go for reasonable dosh. 3 cheers for jap coupés

[michiel]

Excellent work, I like it! If I was allowed to buy one...

[pompei]

There's a scrapper on Ebay at the moment (and on the recent ebay thread) with minor rear end damage - could be good 4 a cannibal?

[kinkersaab]

hmmm. he didnt mention that to me, and nor was the clutch slipping, at least not in the short spin i took it on.

[kinkersaab]

really? I did state i would try my best to make sure that didnt happen, and i managed.

[kinkersaab]

^ my point being not that he was disshonnest, but that i didn't not divulge anything to the chap who took it iyswim.

[Pete-M]

If You See What I Mean.

 

It's an old USENET thing...

[Pete-M]

There used to be a chap in or around Glasgow who had loads of these things, was into old synthesizers, Betamax videos and stuff as well.

 

Had an XM for a while, then quite possibly a Citroen C6. Richard Kilpatrick I think his name was. Top fella.

[Volksy]

The clutch is slipping still, became apparent when we tried go get it up Hillman Imps Everest of a driveway. It needs a Cv boot anyway, so might as well haul the box out at the same time, doesn't look a massive job. At the end of the day, the car was free, and to be honest we expected it to be a whole lot worse than it is...

 

Due to the large amount of vehicles and a somewhat grumpy neighbour, it's now been moved to my sisters place. I drove it over there, and was quite amazed by how quick it was, even managed to lose Hillman in the ex-Saab 900 on route.

 

It's now watertight, managed to get a window in the right tint for it, which I fitted last week, so can finally scrub out and refit the interior. Hopefully will be going in for an MOT this week, as it needs to be on the road ASAP.

[binhoker668]

Proper impressed Volksy!

Is this whole venture not quite the change for you (not involving a 20ft long automatic barge - as it doesn't)?

What's the sketch with the Master - still dahn sahf?

[Volksy]

Sadly not, the Master is still in the boat yard, only needs a couple of bit finishing for the test. The previous owner once removed, has kindly dropped some NOS parts he had kicking about. Hopefully will get that one sorted ASAP also.

 

The job in Oxford got put on hold until next year, hence the pressure was off to get the Master on the road.

 

The Volvo is currently parked up also, due to insurance issues which should get sorted next week - hopefully. But that will probably be leaving the fleet, to be replaced with something LHD.

 

As for the Sera, was an interesting car, that both myself and Hillman didn't want to see fragged, sourcing parts hasn't been as difficult as we thought, so hopefully get it on the road and either sell it on to fund other projects, Master for me, Hillmans GT6 & DAF. Or run it for a while as surprisingly, it's a proper hoot to drive. Like you say, I am used to driving and auto Volvo though.

[Rocket88]

Manual ones are quite rare, most were autos. I had one, sold it at auction over here for about £1200, which is about right for a tidy one. Manuals are probably worth a bit more. Autos are distinctly underwhelming to drive, they do weigh a surprising amount [glass is bloody heavy]