I picked up a Toyota MR2 mkII project car - I think I'll name it Dan Gurney

Making progress-

Got my H4 headlights installed.

Wired in a relay for the fog lights.

Have most of the alarm installed. On arming/disarming the siren makes a loud 'chirp'.
I'm building a circuit that will put a resistor inline with the siren for the initial 1.5 seconds so as to make the chirp much quieter.

Picked up a hydraulic cylinder from McMaster-Carr to replace the prop rod on the engine lid.

Now just waiting for those damn wheels and tires to get her on the road (and over to the body shop for painting).



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The latest - built a delay relay to mute the alarm chirps.

Wheels and tires shipping tomorrow and I'll be picking up the plates tomorrow as well.

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On the road

Got the shoes in today and took it for a spin. Put in 10 gallons of fuel mixed with Techron to clean out the deposits a bit.

So far only some minor issues - the biggest of which is that one of the links in the right rear suspension is loose which is letting that corner shift around a bit.
I wasn't sure about the wheel design but now that I've got them on I think it was the right choice.

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I think I need a R/R ball joint - should be a simple fix.

And I have to decide what color to paint it. The body is currently crimson red and the front bumper is super red. I'm leaning towards the latter.
 
My 2 cents on the repaint, go with whichever color the frame is. Unless you spring for a really premium paint job (i.e. one where the car is basically stripped) you will notice the color difference in panel gaps, door jambs, etc.

Looking great so far!
 
My 2 cents on the repaint, go with whichever color the frame is. Unless you spring for a really premium paint job (i.e. one where the car is basically stripped) you will notice the color difference in panel gaps, door jambs, etc.
Damn grasshopper - you are so wise!
 
Pretty near all done, back from the paint shop today; resprayed in the original crimson red color - just a few minor things left like upgrade the speakers (I've got some Alpine separates) and do an alignment. But then again (like an audio system) there's always the tweaks.

It's my baby Ferrari!


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A bunch of rusted bolts snapped but I've managed to get those out at home with a variety of methods involving PB Blaster, a propane torch, drilling, vise grips, a vise and hemoglobin.

LOL at "hemoglobin". From one knuckle-buster to another, that little Mister Two cleaned up beautifully. Hell, with the wheels & resale red paint, you ought to see what you could get flipping it. The after paint shot w/ lights on looks like it's begging to be in CL. I don't know how to sell a car and I know I'd lose money on any I tried to sell. I'm the kind of guy who replaces all of the ball joints if I find one that's bad... :arrow:
 
My wife was under the impression that I was going to flip it - nope, too nice for that - it's my midlife indulgence; cheaper then a G-33000 - though without a turbo a bit less visceral.
 
Very nice resto! The second gen MR2's have great lines and yours is lookin' outstanding! One of my customers are MR2/Celica specialists and they bring some pretty gnarly little turbo 2's (350+ hp) down to the shop from time to time. High power to low weight is a glorious thing!
 
Man, you work fast. I wish there'd been someone like you at the shop when I had my 2nd Jaguar rebuilt. (I waited six months, while being told "two weeks", followed by "a day or two more".)

With that paint, looks as good as new.
 
Man, you work fast. I wish there'd been someone like you at the shop when I had my 2nd Jaguar rebuilt. (I waited six months, while being told "two weeks", followed by "a day or two more".)

LOL - "Two weeks." Standard body & machine shop speak for - "It'll take us two weeks to finish the job in six months when we're finally motivated to get started on it..."

...been there, done that. Oh, yeah. :boring:
 
Ran it as the pace car at New Hampshire Motor Speedway today for the New England Region SCCA.
Been their primary pace car driver for the past 11 years.

Kind of greasy this weekend - tomorrow I'll run the Audi.


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Still a great looking car Jim. I just took my toy car to it's second autocross yesterday. Put it sideways and stalled it on my last run. Woops!

Supprisingly, I have no problem keeping it from going sideways under power, under breaking is when I have a tendency to get a bit wiggly (need to strop trying to turn while breaking....).
 
Lovely ride and terrific read, Jim.

One of my acquaintances has 2 Testarossas and an MR first generation. Some years ago, we took one of the Ferraris and the MR2 upcountry - he driving the Ferrari and I drove the MR-2 and what a lovely ride.

tripod
 
Surprisingly, I have no problem keeping it from going sideways under power, under breaking is when I have a tendency to get a bit wiggly (need to strop trying to turn while breaking....).
You can brake (hopefully not break) and turn simultaneously - you just have to manage the loads; don't try to brake while the tires are under full lateral load, but you can start a turn under braking if you ease off the brakes as you increase the turning.

It's called "trail braking", used in auto and motorcycle racing -
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Trail_braking

BTW - we're planning a PDX - aka performance driving experience at Lime Rock on Friday June 21. Plans are to run on the go kart track in the infield for various exercises and then during lunch you'll get 20-25 minutes on the big track.
Anticipated cost is $150 - interested?
I volunteered to be an instructor.:D
 
You can brake (hopefully not break) and turn simultaneously - you just have to manage the loads; don't try to brake while the tires are under full lateral load, but you can start a turn under braking if you ease off the brakes as you increase the turning.

It's called "trail braking", used in auto and motorcycle racing -
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Trail_braking

BTW - we're planning a PDX - aka performance driving experience at Lime Rock on Friday June 21. Plans are to run on the go kart track in the infield for various exercises and then during lunch you'll get 20-25 minutes on the big track.
Anticipated cost is $150 - interested?
I volunteered to be an instructor.:D

Yeah, braking (woops!) under full lateral load is what did me in. Trying to make that gate I wasn't looking far enough ahead for!

I would love to make the PDX, but I assume a roll bar is needed for convertibles? I haven't installed one yet (the bar that came on it is just for looks, no way would I trust it!).
 
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