Bos' Ke55 Coupe

[Bos55]

After six months of hunting for a project car I have finally got one. My plan is to restore this car to a presentable condition which I like the look and feel of. This will be my second car so it will be built in order to enjoy the experience of driving it.

 

I have limited experience working on cars but have managed to pick up some skills and knowledge through my studies. I am an undergrad Mechanical engineering student in the fourth year of my degree.

 

I have read plenty of threads on this page and I think its fantastic that everyone is willing to help each other out and pass on experience. I would really appreciate all the guidance and one day when I've made all the mistakes before I will be able to pass on my knowledge to those starting out.

 

Now for a little on the car;

-1979 KE55 corolla coupe

-stock 4k engine with 3 speed auto

-Turquoise in color

-Has patches of rust which I'll need to fix

 

 

My first few minor projects will be draining cleaning and checking all systems on the car. It runs fairly well for a car that has sat unused for a little while.

 

I will then be looking at a manual conversion. Ideally a 5 speed but may need to settle for 4 speed if that's all I can get my hands on. I will obviously need all other required parts such as manual pedal box and clutch cable and so on.

 

The color is not my favorite but it will do for the moment. I will hopefully be able to drive the car around a little in order to guage what I need to work on. Once I have done so the car will be off the road for repairs and paint.

 

Power upgrades are planned for down the track. Possibly 2tg with dual twin side draughts if I can round up all the parts.

 

I hope I can get to know a heap of you amongst the rollaclub community. Any and all recommendations and advice will be appreciated and considered.

 

Cheers

 

Bos

[Mechanical Sympathy]

NIce coupe, looks like a good base. I'd love a 2TG also but hard to find. Apparently there are hundreds being used as door-stops in NZ but importing them is problematic.

 

I don't think anyone likes their Corolla's colour to begin with - but they grow on you. In the past I've had bright-yellow, bright-brown, and now buff and silver KE cars and never liked the colour initially.

 

Good luck with your project!

[Bos55]

Thanks Mechanical Sympathy. Yeh I've just looked it as I walk outside and I think it might be growing. I'm not too sure if it the original colour. It seems to be unless it had a thorough full respray. Paint choice is a fair way off so I may just start to like it.

 

I like the one in your pic. Will be checking it out for inspiration.

 

I've seen a couple of 2tgs but they are asking the same as what I got the car for. Maybe a trip to nz over Christmas might see me floating one back. Will have to keep an eye out.

[azza91]

looks good in the pic, i don't mind that colour but not sure if it suits a classic like the 55 is. good luck with the resto/build

[josh247]

love the colour!

[Mechanical Sympathy]

The old yella one in my profile pic was taken in 1989 - my first KE35 when I was 16.

 

I need to get around to setting up a rides thread for the two 55's I currently own.

 

However I've seen a few turquoise 55's around and I reckon done properly they look great.

 

Having said that, I'd like my XX coupe to be in that Fiat racing grey colour. It's currently almost silver.

[parrot]

They were definitely available in that colour. Shall look forward to seeing how you get on.

[Bos55]

Thanks all. Hopefully i can do the car justice with the restoration.

 

The colour has definitely grown on me. Looking at it right now i think the colour might stay for a while once i fix up a few of the bits.

 

Oh Brendan i thought that was your young fella standing in front of the car. Good to see the passion for these cars has stuck with you.

 

Looking forward to getting out and fiddling with the car.

[Bos55]

So I've recently managed to get a bit of time under the car, have loved every second of it.

 

The main thing that has changed is the Auto is out and the car now runs a k50 5 speed with cable clutch. I drove it on Wednesday night around the block and the 5 speed has completely changed the car. So much more enjoyable.

 

I also fiddled with a few things in and around the car. I changed the dash facia to one I found at the wreckers, this also happened too bring with it the original AM/FM radio which I am stoked about despite it not working, I haven’t even tried to get it working though. I also have taken out the shifter surround as changing to the 5 speed I had to modify the shifter position, I like the way it looks now. The massive sub is out of the boot, the amp is gone, the aftermarket head unit was accidentally driven over and the 6x9 speakers which floated on the parcel shelf have gone too. Most noticeable though, the window Tint has all been ripped off.

 

As the car sits at the moment I am happy with how it looks but I have big plans. Firstly I need to get the rust out of it and once my new welder rocks up I can get new patches in.

 

My biggest issue with rust is at this stage the rear wheel arch. The panel just outside the lip has been eaten away, Given that coupes do not roll around everywhere it is proving difficult to find a panel to cut a section from.

 

I have been looking at my front wheel arch and thinking I could probably use the lip of the wheel arch from a front quarter too patch the rear quarter. The contours are so close I’m sure with a bit of creativity I could get it to work.

 

Then there is the issue of power. Given the jump from 3 speed to 5 is enough to keep me excited for the moment I am not in a massive rush but I want a 2tg to power this car one day. As with everything loosely tying back to the cars heritage, having the 2tg released in the same model in Japan is enough for me to stick it in as the heart of my coupe. If anyone has one I would really like too hear from you. Any condition as I would want to rebuild it anyway. I hate it when people write big plans that there is no way they will go through with but I would ultimately like for my 2tg to have a little bit of induction assistance. Nothing too stupid but enough to enjoy the driving while still possibly keeping up with my mates in their cars. This car will never be driven as a daily so why not have a Turbo to keep me company on the weekends.

 

So now for my plea for help. If you have any of the following I would like very much to get in contact.

 

A 2tg of any condition

A ke35 or 55 coupe which you are willing for me to chop sections out of

Front right (or I suppose left might work) quarter panels for ke30-55

 

Sorry no pics on this update but will get some up once I start the next job, rust repairs :(

 

Hope you guys enjoy the read and if you have any advice I’d appreciate hearing it.

[maccat01]

Good luck with the building and learning mate. You have come to the right place for ke know how and advice :-) looking forward to it finished :-D

[Oh-KE]

Looks like a solid base. You will have heaps of fun with it! But we need more pics! :D

[Bos55]

Has been a couple of weeks so a little bit of an update. I've only really been fidling with things. Got the original radio working. Reception is terrible but its a cool piece of originality.

 

My main project at the moment is a front lip. I have not heard of anyone using one but I am trying to modify a volvo 740 front lip to fit the very different shaped 55.

 

This is the lip i have

 

 

And here are some pics of it taped to the front of the car.

 

 

 

 

It is obviously going to be too wide so i will need to cut and shut it, as it turns out the centre of the three holes in the middle is the exact width i need to remove. Could be a little fiddly and require me to crack out some fibreglass and cross my fingers but i think it should come up ok. I know the pictures are average but i assure you once it is done i will be getting the good camera out to update properly. Also Fog lights will be going on as on the volvo above. Just got to round up a set

 

Still on the hunt for a 2tg if anyone has one sitting in the shed :yes:

Edited March 12, 2014 by Bos55

[Feral4K]

I may be able to help with 2tg and sidedraughts etc ive got a whole setup minus t50 thats already got dibs on it pm if youre interested..

[Bos55]

Another little update.

 

Gave the car a little tune and modified the throttle position to raise the idle RPM. There is a bit of a flat spot down very low so now the idle sits just above that so its a bit tough to take off smooth but no issues driving. Feels really nice.

 

My main update has been the addition of a Tacho. I was completely against the idea of having a Tacho as i want to keep the dash looking as original as possible. I did however come up with a set up which ticks all the boxes.

 

I have mounted the Tacho into the front of the ash tray. this means i am able to remove the Tacho, unplug the back of it and put in an original ash tray.

 

 

It needs a little neatening up and ill have to sort out some paint but it works well. I reckon it looks alright where it is sitting.

 

More updates too come. Possibly Some Engine news coming shortly. :thumbsup:

 

Almost forgot. I also got my Speedo working again. Wasn't a massive issue but legitimizes the car a little.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Bos55

[corollaart]

Nice colour !! there are still 2tg around but most have been flogged for 20 -30 years by now .

 

The people that own them want top dollar for them ,they are heavy as ,but go like a cut cat.

 

Even the 4a engine is fast becoming old!

 

Still got a soft spot for the old k engine ,don't disguard the 7k.

 

Nice coupe ,as most no I'm a coupe sl#T ,but they are just so much better looking than boring 4 doors . :finger:

 

rob