As I mentioned in The Mistress' thread, this is the Publica I just picked up. A friend of mine brought it back from Okinawa about 2 years ago. During shipment it was damaged, which eventually led to him losing his motivation.
I can't bring my self to see a car sitting with no attention, so we made a deal and I took ownership.

It's a 1968 Toyota Publica. It's apparently 1 of 3 known to be in the U.S.
Opposing 2 cylinder 790cc engine. 35-40 hp.
4 speed tranmission.
13" wantanabe wheels and an aftermarket steering wheel.









Here's the damage done during shipment.

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'74 コロナマークⅡ
The 'Mistress' http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

We got back with it on sunday and I imediately started to pull the damage. Since it's monsoon season, I don't want the trunk filling with water and causing more damage while it's outside.



This was after about 2 hours of pulling with a slide hammer.


It's still got about 1/4" left to be pulled on the one side, but the trunk closes and latches now. It was pushed in about 3" at the deepest point.
I will need to find a tail light since this one is cracked and holding together by the trim. My wife wants to make some using casting resin though, so I may just glue it together, smooth it out and let her have fun.

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'74 コロナマークⅡ
The 'Mistress' http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I love these, so cool to see one in the US! Good work so far; are you going to repaint the car its original color? The stock blue/gray with Wats is oddly attractive.

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-Cam
1988 Mazda RX7
1980 Toyota Celica
a bunch of cool other cars I'm not allowed to list

This is just so awesome! Can't wait to see how it unfolds.

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I'm definitely wanting to keep the color. It actually wouldn't be too bad if it weren't for the rust and body damage.
The only thing's I'll be changing is the suspension and interior. I got some seats with it that I'd like to try out, if I don't like them, I'll get the originals reupholstered. I'm also thinking about a plaid headliner like the pic of that lada 2101, but in a gray/blue color. The wheels will stay and the steering wheel. I may even paint the steering wheel to match, not sure just yet.

and for today's update.

Straightened out the bumper brackets... and drove it around the block again. This thing is way fun to drive.

The brackets are suppose to sit straight, below the sides of the bumper. You can see in the first pic how high up they are bent.

I'm going to have to replace the bolts that hold the brackets to the bumper. Snapped two of them and stripped one of the nuts on one.





Also got these cobra buckets with the car.

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'74 コロナマークⅡ
The 'Mistress' http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

This looks sweet.

In the first picture, the glass/roof almost looks like a mini?

Sorry I haven't been updating.
I've been doing a little work here and there on the Publica. I'm now using it as a daily driver to work and back.

My pictures are too big to post here, so If you'd like, you can see them at the following link...
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.481401468554757.122464.100000547240727&type=3

Once I get some more free time, I'll see about uploading them smaller so I can post them.

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'74 コロナマークⅡ
The 'Mistress' http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

soooooooooooooo cool!

looks like a 911 front end

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Own a Crown? Take an interest into these beautiful cars? Come join the community over at www.toyotacrowncentral.com/forum!

*drool*

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http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/c ... 49632.html DUDE !

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- Travis
Yes I CURRENTLY own all of these.
AE86
AE100
JZX32
MX63
JZX73
MX83
JZZ30
RN65
VZN130
VZN185

soooooooooo awesome!!!!

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That's awesome, and a hell of a deal.
If I had any idea how to get it here, I'd pick it up. It's a UP10.

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'74 コロナマークⅡ
The 'Mistress' http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11540&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I picked up the publica UP10 that was on craigslist Vancouver. Lucky it caught my eye. I actually used to own it 15 years ago but had to give it up due to storage issues. I'm exited to have it back now that I have a garage. and am not a starving student any more. Unfortunately its missing a few things. The original owner took it apart around 1978 to restore or paint but since then the hood (bonnet?) has gone missing. So if anyone sees one anywhere, let me know. Otherwise its straight and almost totally rust free. I'll post some pictures soon.
Glenn