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Location:
Blue Mountains, NSW
Registered:
May 2003
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 Moral dilemma with rare corolla...
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Thu, 26 June 2003 05:52
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Hey all! As my user name suggests, I have a TE35 corolla.
A rare, JDM only coupe. 
Externally identical to a KE35/KE55 coupe, except for the tail lights, which are the same as a TE37 Levin. It used to have a bonnet like a Levin's too, but now has a KE 35 bonnet with early diamond shaped mesh grill. Mechanically, it came with a 1407cc T-U engine (now has 2T-GEU), an A40 auto (now T50) and an S292 diff (Borg Warner in now as temporary solution).
The problem is it has had a hard life: ie rust in floor, gutters, sills, rear wheel arches, boot and elsewhere, has been written off twice before I bought it (rear passenger quarter meets Army Landrover, and involved in pile-up on M4  ).
It has been straightened out okay though. I have a panel beater lined up to fix the rust, but I keep on thinking that for the money being spent (approx $1500 for now, then paint, then rego and other mods along the way), I may be able to get a nice granny-pack rolla and transfer all the good bits over and let the TE35 RIP (rust in pieces)
So what is the general concensus? Do I restore a piece of Japanese motoring history (albiet with TE71 Levin running gear), or do I transfer all the good bits onto a granny car?
Though, I love having mechanics ask me if I have an engineers certificate, and I point to the firewall and say "see the "T" there? That means I can have this engine in here." And then they run off to take triplicate copies of my rego papers to cover their own arses. Hehe. 
Let me know what you all think...
Jon.
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Location:
c'town, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Location:
Blue Mountains, NSW
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Moral dilemma with rare corolla...
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Thu, 26 June 2003 06:30
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No, just a early KE35 grille. The car's been off the road for a while - runs like a dream though on the odd illegal run to go get petrol.
I have a JDM KE70 coupe "SR" badge on the front, and a TE71 "Sprinter" badge for the rear. And a mad little EFI badge off a Cressida.
Corona Avanti rims too (NOT the cone wheels, the nice ones which are also on Taragos)
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Location:
near chris and murray vic
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Moral dilemma with rare corolla...
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Fri, 27 June 2003 07:26
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have you considered doing the repairs yourself?? i dont know how bad the damage is, but if youre willing to spent the time, it will cost you a LOT less.
or you can sell it to me for a reasonable price
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Location:
Blue Mountains, NSW
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Moral dilemma with rare corolla...
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Fri, 27 June 2003 13:40
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Looking at stripping it to a shell with a drivers seat and a steering wheel, and all the running gear in still - so I can do a windy drive to the panel beaters. Hehe.
The problem is I want as little bog as possible, and welding and finishing costs a bit.
Its just sometimes the rust looks like its taking over the car, other times I'm thinking "its managable".
And Shteeve, I dont think I could bring myself to sell it. Just let it corrode to bits - Ashes to ashes, rust to rust.
Though I know some of the bits - in particular the hydro clutch set up, engine crossmember and mounts, and the tail lights and Japanese dash- would be much sought after.
Hmmm. I have to have a good look at it on my next day off (which is another prob - not enough time to do the work myself).
Cheers guys.
Jon.
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