Hi All
This is a project I've been putting off for a very long time, but I'm at the point where if I want it to happen I need to start getting more information. I also figured people here might appreciate seeing a fairly rare example of the first Corolla.
As some background, this is a 1968 Toyota Corolla KE16V (Van), Frame # KE16-157054. It was my Mum's second car and she got it in 1976. Prior to that it was a delivery van. My Grandfather was an Auto Insurance Assessor and his brother was a mechanic so it's likely they purchased it written off and rebuilt it using a donor car. It's odometer reading is a work of fiction.
It's panels were replaced with windows and it was converted for sleeping and camping with lights, blinds, carpet and wood paneling. Apparently it was quite comfortable.
There were other changes as well. It has high back seats and a 4 speed manual gearbox origin unknown.
Around 1996 my grandfather found (what I believe to be) a 3K engine to replace the original K series. After lifting out the K there was some kerfuffle with the bolts so both engines were left out while replacements were found. 2 weeks later my sister ran in to it with our Mazda 1300 station wagon damaging the passenger front panel. It was, of course, all my fault.
The engine replacement went on hold, the car was pushed in to a barn (technically a milking shed) and the engines went in to a different barn (technically a hayshed) and they haven't moved until last weekend when I pulled it out to have a good look at how unkind the last 3 decades have been.
It's frankly hard to tell where the dirt ends and the rust begins. A lot of it appears to be surface only (notable exception, the passenger front panel) and the panels appear quite straight. I couldn't find any bog or fibreglass. Underneath the carpet the floor looked quite good (protected by carpet soaking up copious amounts of oil and spilt fuel I suspect). Gearbox and clutch moved freely and the rear wheels engaged the gearbox as we were pushing it so it's likely the differential is in one piece. Weirdly, the seats are still comfortable. The bonnet is pretty much just gone, the whole front of it has been eaten by rust.
Over the years I've had a lot of ideas what I want to do with this this. I'm more a tech guy than a car guy, so I originally gravitated to EV conversion or even a small hybrid. Of course, they are difficult and expensive. My current plan is to do a workshop rebuild of the K and 3K engines and if I have success there get the car moving under it's own power before getting heavy in to rust removal. I'd love any suggestions of resources or places to source replacement parts.
