1979 Toyota Corolla

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:22 am

My first Nostalgic Japanese project Car! And here she is (exactly how I drove her home yesterday):

A view of my other "Toy" in the background, 2010 Dodge Ram R/T

The body is pretty straight, a few dings here and there, and some surface rust around the windows. Also the rear taillight panel has some rust, especially where it meets the trunk. Will definitely need to look for a new panel, or work on it and get the trunk seal on there.

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:25 am

Some interior shots:

As an avid audio lover, I will be definitely addressing this "hackjob" and doing a much better install:

Aftermarket air conditioner was added, and it works!

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:26 am

Found some "junk in the trunk" - thought it was pretty cool to have the lug wrench bag and jack:

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:30 am

And the business end, 1.2 3KC mated to a 4-spd manual

She ran like a champ the whole way home. Couldn't help but have the biggest grin on my face when driving this car. It reminds me of my 1964 Ford F-100, just the basic, no frills cruiser, but just the feeling it gives you. It's not something easily described, it has to be experienced.

Two things that will need to be addressed are an exhaust leak up front (it has a complete new exhaust, but they must not have tightened the bolts enough at the manifold) and we have a little stutter when coming to a stop. She likes to cut off and die, but cranks right back up. I imagine it's a vacuum issue, and plan on starting there, then working up to a possible carburetor rebuild.

stefman454 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:58 am

Love it! What are your plans?

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:01 am

To bring her back to her former glory, and use as a daily driver. The Ram isn't getting the best fuel milage, so I leaned towards this car because of how well it has been maintained. Sure it needs cosmetic work, but I have been itching to learn body and interior. So it's a win win!

stefman454 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:03 am

Keeping it mostly stock then? There is something special about a nice, original vintage car

BuzzBomber · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:11 pm

ah the good ol' 1.2L :lol:

car looks good. should be an awesome project :tu:

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:08 pm

Thank you for the kind words. I would like to keep her mostly stock, but part of me wants to add some modern conviniences since she will be a daily driver. May do a few "upgrades".

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:35 pm

Nice find and she will serve you well, as do most old Yota's.

And I would say add the needed modern stuff. Nothing wrong with a nice MP3 stereo, or modifying the stock one to have an AUX in.

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 2:40 pm

I have a few ideas as far as stereo goes, but nothing set in stone yet. Since she will be a daily driver, I want something that I can enjoy.

The Ram has quite a beefy alternator, so going with a Zapco Reference 1000.4 powering all Morel drivers was a no brainer. But with the Corolla... that tiny charging system is going to be a challenge to work with.

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:55 pm

Can always mod then swap in a saturn alternator. bumps it to either 100 or 110.

chithead · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:27 pm

A Saturn alternator? Hmmm... that's good info right there.

Thank you!

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:58 am

Np. You have to tweak some shit (rotate the housing and a dremel). I have one on my 80 Corolla.

http://www.3tcgarage.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=3086

chithead · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:10 am

Oh that is an excellent write-up! Thank you again. Definitely opens up a few more possibilities for the audio upgrade.

lwrdr2121 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:54 pm

Nice new toy. Just like the 1.2 I had long ago. Enjoy it.

chithead · **Posted:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:07 pm

In my experience... there are two types of cars. Those that want to be brought back to their former glory... and those that will fight you kicking and screaming the whole way... I think this Corolla is one of the good ones :tu:

Started dismantling the interior this morning, was the easiest I have ever worked on:

Headliner, B-pillar moldings, and rear seat out:

Found some bad rust underneath, and a bit of water sitting. Will definitely have to address this before re-assembly:

Rear package shelf was intact, well at least the pattern. I plan on re-using this, the fuel tank cover, and door panels to cut new pieces and change the interior color:

bigmikesocal · **Posted:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 6:36 pm

Wow! it still has the factory air conditioning unit. I have always wanted to fix up one of these ever since I saw one (a KE35R or TE37 coupe) with a Toyota Starlet wide body kit grafted on.

chithead · **Posted:** Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:45 pm

Adjusted the idle screw today, that seems to have helped our "wanting to die at stop signs" problem... now to track down that exhaust leak.

Started dismantling the dash today, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Definitely needs a new dash pad, and I need to repair the gauge/radio/heater control trim. Plus going to start on changing the interior color. Thinking about a black or charcoal grey...

Does Toyota have a smaller tachometer that could fill that empty gauge spot to the right of the speedometer?

Anyone know where I could get a new heater control face?

chithead · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:41 am

Picked up 10 yards of black vinyl today to redo the interior. Also looking at a complete LED conversion of all bulbs, pretty much picked out the new audio install items, and about to get started on further rust prevention/sealing of the bad spots.

Also found that it is leaking from the rear window on both bottom corners, and the windshield at the bottom of the passenger side. There is a kit on eBay that has both seals, both door weatherstripping, and the trunk seal - but it's coming from overseas. Would this be ok to order? Anyone have any tips on glass removal and re-installation?

1979 Toyota Corolla

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