TT141 | undecided stage of modification

When 1st had the car, the brake on its worst performance ever. I was force to find parts from junk yard, basically it was the due to the rotting brake pump unit. At less than RM35, I got it replaced however the pump unit must be upgraded to better match that 1.8cc engine.

From exterior, there are rush from front bumper till back. From the same junk shop, I manage to source complete front bonnet and a pair of left & right front fenders. I took the car to fabricator to clear out the rust and meant back the body. TT141 was nickname "RUSTIE" at this point as there were loads of devoted rush from the previous 2 owners, you will expect these from a 26 years old car.

I have yet decided on my vision of RUSTIE. I already found a Toyota 2.0 1G-GTE Engine from Toyota Soarer half-cut at RM2,000 only. Modifying this engine must have a whole replacement parts under the car which is roughly end up to budget of RM7,000 without adding in the paint, rims & interior fixes.

During these undeciding stage, I joined Retro Syndicate & meet up Alfredo who have just restored his version of TT140. Basically TT140 has a 1.6cc engine compare to TT141. Here are some links pictures he posted in R.S. Forum.

TT141 | 1.8 GL Toyota Corona'83

Before Toyota Camry emerge early 90's, Toyota Corona was the larger Toyota sedan to complete with Honda Accord & Nissan Bluebird in M'sia market as well as many parts of Asia.

If you were to compare these 3 cars today, you can still find them in daily driven condition for more the less RM5,000. I have check these cars during the period of 2008 to early 2009, the best of these cars will only be the Honda Accord'82-86. The quality built, engine performance & the amount of rust is less as compare to the other japanese manufacturers. Not to forget also Mazda 626.

犯賤 as always, I was particular looking for a rear wheel driven car, its either the Nissan or Toyota.

My very first encounter of this car was back when I was 8, my neighbour's grandpa had one and drove us around. I remember clearly it was a brown metallic automatic sedan. After another 12 odd years later, a friend Calvin's dad had a White 1.8GL Manual. It was in daily driven condition, over the years his siblings never quite maintained often. I wanted to buy from them but instead they insist of keeping it.

Then I went online, did my own research and try to sort one whenever I was free from work. This time around one of his son, Calvin got a Toyota Corona with a Nissan 2.o SR20 Turbo. We took it for a ride one night and the power was awesome! For me, I wanted to stick trully to Toyota parts even for the engine. Locally here many opt for a Toyota 2.0 1G-GTE Engine from the 80's Supra / Soarer / Cressida / Mark II. Didn't manage to buy that car... financially tight then. The car was sold to some local street drifter.

After 5 years of clearing the loan of my mini Hyundai Atoz, I only manage to sell it at a very low price (1/3 from its new purchase). Curse M'sian used car market, have to blame the local assembled quality too! With the help from Calvin again, we manage to find a Toyota Corona 1.8GL Auto with power steering and power windows working since 1983!

Compare to today's standard of Malaysian assembled cars, you don't get this quality working parts. Thou I paid quite a sum to purchase my very 1st 1983 car, I was happy with most for the OEM parts working on that car. This was the car when I first purchase it. Registered Metallic "Chocolate"(refering local Road Transport Dept decision on color naming department) Toyota Corona 1.8GL Auto.

Manage to pass the Puspakom inspection without any "bribe" and got every paper works done.

Car have been purchased now however, with the remaining cash... there are only 2 options:

1. Restored & remodernized the current condition

2. Stripped till naked body and put in a NEW-EVERYTHING!