Past Projects
1986 AW11 MR-2



Spring 1999

Late breaking news! I just bought an AW11 1986 Toyota MR-2! The MR2 project car, which will become another close-to-stock fun street/autocross car, unless I sell it to raise funds for the Starlet.

It needs an engine rebuild or a new motor, and it is not the best example cosmetically, but the price was right. I bought the car over spring break...at about 10:30 the night before I left at 4:30 the next morning! So, I don't know much about the car, except that it is a former autocross car, it is only running on 2-1/2 cylinders or so, and that the former owner didn't seem to know exactly what he had. It should make a good project car because I have always wanted a MkI MR2.

A bit less than ideal, I know, but I took these at night just after purcahsing the car, and I had to leave at 4:30 the next morning, so I had to make do with poor conditions for photography! It runs on two or three cylinders, makes no power, won't idle, burns oil, creates huge clouds of smoke, and has an engine covered in oil...but it runs! :-) I have since started to prepare to pull the engine apart for inspection and probable rebuild. I know that that doesn't sound like much, but I have put plenty of time in already. This thing is just such a bear to work on that I am currently thinking that I will get it running well and then sell it. Minimum effort for maximum profit, and then save the money for the Starlet or the Lotus Seven. I just can't see keeping a car that is so much like my hachiroku, but less practical to work on.

Summer 2001

Later breaking news! AW11 is long gone! I have since sold this car. I took it all apart in preparation for an engine rebuild, and then sold it for what I paid for it, and I got to keep the totally worn out 4AG, so all wasn't a loss. It would be so much fun to have a clean, original AW11 MR-2, but as a project, they are just too hard to get access to the engine and drivetrain, and too hard to work on for my taste.

Fall 2001

Not exactly a project I took on, but I came dangerously close to buying a Toyota Sport 800 restoration project at auction! These little guys are tiny two-seat 60's micro-car convertibles. They are 800cc's of air-cooled rear-wheel-drive fun and are very rare. Kind of a like a low-tech, but more fun to drive, Honda S600. I would still love to have one someday. These cars are the ultimate collectable RWD Toyota in my mind, and I have always wanted a JDM microcar! :-) I like the 70's TE27 Corolla, and the 60's 2000GT, but I love the Sport 800...maybe someday. I think the only project to rival it would be an 80's Group B rally TA63 Celica...the "Whistling Pig." But I might actually be able to afford another Sport 800 someday...if another ever comes up for sale.

February 2002-KP61 Starlet



Everything has it's time and place, and sadly, the Starlet's was no longer with me. It was a fun little car, but I just couldn't seem to be able to pull myself together and do much to it. It is now at a good home with another Toyota enthusiast, and it has another Starlet for companionship, and a redtop 4A-G on ice, just waiting in the garage for an upcoming heart transplant!

Read more about my Beloved KP61 Toyota Starlet

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