Don't ask me why, but I decided I wanted to pick up a sporty car project. Actually, I think it was a result of not being able to find anything to spend my stereo slush fund on.
Back in 1987 I had a brand new (first generation) Toyota MR2 that I really enjoyed and decided I'd like another one. Unfortunately the first gen cars are somewhat pricey and finding a rust free example is a real challenge in New England.
I found this second generation 1991 in the local Craigslist, got a great deal and trailered it home yesterday.
First project was to clean out the garage and get it inside before the snow starts falling (today).
Car has only 116K miles, is rust free (!) and the interior is quite nice.
Here's what I need to do:
The car was lowered the ghetto way - by chopping the springs. I'll be getting new springs and shocks. Probably Eibach springs and KYB adjustable shocks.
Car came with Honda Prelude (?) wheels - I'll pick up some 15" wheels and tires from Tirerack.
Needs a replacement headlamp frame assembly for the left side - motor works, just that the P/O stuck a right side unit in there just to drive it around with a repair plate.
Car was in a front end accident at some point.
The P/O fixed it with a cheap ass aftermarket fiberglass nose. I'm searching yards for a replacement nose in the proper color. It also needs the cross brace behind the bumper and the mounting points were crushed back about 3/4". I'll probably need to build a spacer to bring the mounting surface forward.
Paint - I think I can buff it out enough to make it look OK but a paint job is probably in it's future.
I'll just use it as a fun car - run the occasional autocross and take it up to the track once in a while.
And the hood, that'll need painting - but it was autographed - is that Dan Gurney's signature? His shop is called AAR (All American Racers) and ran Toyotas (before they made them in the USA - go figure). Or maybe it's someone else's signature, hard to tell.
Back in 1987 I had a brand new (first generation) Toyota MR2 that I really enjoyed and decided I'd like another one. Unfortunately the first gen cars are somewhat pricey and finding a rust free example is a real challenge in New England.
I found this second generation 1991 in the local Craigslist, got a great deal and trailered it home yesterday.
First project was to clean out the garage and get it inside before the snow starts falling (today).
Car has only 116K miles, is rust free (!) and the interior is quite nice.
Here's what I need to do:
The car was lowered the ghetto way - by chopping the springs. I'll be getting new springs and shocks. Probably Eibach springs and KYB adjustable shocks.
Car came with Honda Prelude (?) wheels - I'll pick up some 15" wheels and tires from Tirerack.
Needs a replacement headlamp frame assembly for the left side - motor works, just that the P/O stuck a right side unit in there just to drive it around with a repair plate.
Car was in a front end accident at some point.
The P/O fixed it with a cheap ass aftermarket fiberglass nose. I'm searching yards for a replacement nose in the proper color. It also needs the cross brace behind the bumper and the mounting points were crushed back about 3/4". I'll probably need to build a spacer to bring the mounting surface forward.
Paint - I think I can buff it out enough to make it look OK but a paint job is probably in it's future.
I'll just use it as a fun car - run the occasional autocross and take it up to the track once in a while.
And the hood, that'll need painting - but it was autographed - is that Dan Gurney's signature? His shop is called AAR (All American Racers) and ran Toyotas (before they made them in the USA - go figure). Or maybe it's someone else's signature, hard to tell.
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