DeBuGti Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 Hey all, I've just joined this site, looks really nice! I have to say this little restoration is nothing compared to some of the amazing work you've all put in to your rollas!! Also I can't say i'm worthy compared to the awesome RWD beauts too! So the story to me picking this sad look car up is I used to have a black AE92 with the 2nd gen 4AGE tvis, unfortunately I didn't have the time, space, money or guts to get that one sorted. So without realising how ridiculously rare these were getting in the UK I sold it on to find out it was scrapped. Sooooo after getting married in July last year I asked the new wife if I could go out and buy this 'clean' looking corolla for £800 ofcourse she said yes... As long as it needs no resto work and it won't be in bits in a few months time..... MWAAHAHAHAHAHAHA Well here was the car when I bought it... I managed to bargain the guy down to £600.... 80,000miles on the clock and 1 owner from new, now 2. Without being able to see that much, The roof was blistered and ruined, rust all around the sunroof, rust around the pillars, rust on every wheel arch and wing, different coloured wings and arches.... dented drivers door, cracked windscreen, buckled allow... 2 of em!!! rust, rust, rust and rust!!! Work comenced! When I took the air filter box off there was no filter.... great New one in Neighbours started loving me. We actually got the window out with a bike gear cable and some to me to you action... proper way ofcourse ;) Last time she was looking like a car! She had a decent bit of rot Notice the crappy work around the lights and above the bumper in this next pic... You'll see what I uncovered later! I managed to find a clean boot and bonnet from a guy half way across the country, i think it was definitely worth it! Sanded by hand as I have no electric in the garages, little things like this are so worth the extra effort and time! Some new parts I have worked stupid long hours after normal work on this car :) Protected the pillars with some Zinc 182 Little spots of rust here and there.. My biggest worry throughout all of this was the sunroof and the roof... And look what else I found... the car had been in a few impacts... New wings arrived And we got the car ready for the next important steps Quite a sad, exciting and worrying day! Quote
DeBuGti Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Posted March 10, 2013 I then started annoying the bodyshop by visiting them :D Quote
DeBuGti Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Posted March 10, 2013 Even did some handywork myself, took the badges etc home and had a go at restoring them up and making them look nice and pretty for when they go back on the car! I masked all the chrome up etc and then had a go! Meanwhile i'd been teased with some bodyshop photos of the car pre laquered My new blades on my wiper arms New trim for around the window Quote
DeBuGti Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Posted March 10, 2013 And then I got these pics :) My sunroof! I applied the classic red stripe to the bumpers and put the indicator lights back in The next day I started piecing the puzzle back together Yes.... the technics sticker IS coming off :P More cleaning and spraying!!! Rubbers all back on the sunroof Windscreen arrived and was installed Latest progress now, i've put the sunroofs guts back in and given her a polish Sunroof is now in and everythings pretty much there. MOT coming soon and then i'll update with some more pics, I need a new battery as the old one died and a few more bits. Hope you like! Quote
Ben-89 Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 Superb, so nice to see a restored AE93 Gt. The two door variety have a pleasing look to them, in Australia we received the five door hatchback (like yours with two extra doors) and the lift back in five door configuration known as Corolla Seca. That was quite bad rust in the rear wheel arches, particularly when the interior panelling was removed! However the bubbling above the windscreen is extremely common. Even in Australia where it's drier you'll always find it there and under the tailgate glass. My one had a few small bubbles, thankfully no holes so the repairing of it was a little easier. Keep up the good work :) Quote
B.L.Z.BUB Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 Thats dedication working on it in that tiny garage! Looking great. Quote
DeBuGti Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Posted March 10, 2013 Thanks guys! Aye, the garage isn't what you'd call easy to work in :D especially when I've had no electric etc... We're buying our own place this year and I think the main modifacation to the list will be the extension of the garage ;) I was worried the rear arches were going to need to come out, but they managed to save them! I have 2 new rear arches in my lockup! Since I started the amount of spare parts i've acumilated have been mental! Only 160 of these left on the road in the UK! Quote
B.L.Z.BUB Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 I built my last car in a tiny garage so I feel your pain. Quote
7shades Posted March 11, 2013 Report Posted March 11, 2013 If I may be so bold, what are costs like for bodywork/paint in the UK? We get royally shafted over here, but when I browse carandclassic.co.uk I see a lot of listings for cars that have been freshly repainted, but are selling for less than what we'd pay for a complete respray. Just curious. Cheers Quote
7shades Posted March 12, 2013 Report Posted March 12, 2013 That's bargain basement 'mates rates' for an OEM quality job here, so that's a bit interesting. Ta. Quote
Guest seosamhm1 Posted July 17, 2013 Report Posted July 17, 2013 Where did you get all the new rubber bits and where did you get the new trim for the side doors and back? I'm needing some new ones as mines worn of. Quote
Guest seosamhm1 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Posted July 18, 2013 Even did some handywork myself, took the badges etc home and had a go at restoring them up and making them look nice and pretty for when they go back on the car! I masked all the chrome up etc and then had a go! Meanwhile i'd been teased with some bodyshop photos of the car pre laquered My new blades on my wiper arms New trim for around the window WHERE DID YOU GET THESE FROM, NEED NEW ONES ASWELL?? Quote
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