headhoncho Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi all, Thought you might be interested in my "new" TE37 Levin. I found it on the yahoo.jp auction site, and with the help of import monster (http://www.importmonster.com.au) purchased it. It arrived in my garage in Melbourne, Australia on May 4 2012. The good: It's super straight - very little rust, original shell, dash all there (re-covered binnacle) everything is clean and tight. The "bad": not really bad... just different... The head has been changed (to an EFI "big valve") but still with original carbies, suspension has been lowered, missing the air con compressor and evaporator, no carpet. The ugly: well not really ugly... just parts that are hard to get! Missing the headlining, A pillar trim and C pillar trim. I'll keep you posted as I dismantle and rebuild this rare classic to its former glory. Regards, Michael Ward Photos: In it's new home: Original dash! The Levin badge Rear end (next to my rally KE55 rally car) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.L.Z.BUB Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I demand more photos immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ke70dave Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 very very cool. yeah i like photos too. that leather dash is cool as. whats with the rally car next door? i like the look of that too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhoncho Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 More photos will be coming soon! The rally car is a KE55 (TE37 replica) - 2T-G - twin solex carbies, t50 gearbox. Vented front discs - RA23 (I think) rear end with discs. Full cage, rally seats/harnesses etc etc. My hobby car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhmills Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 So cool! Genuine for the win!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimi91 Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 (edited) Hey Michael Thats is a great score :D can't u get parts through import monster??? I'm pretty sure they will have something That rally car of urs would be this one would it??? Sounded like it wasnt running right at the rally??? Hope everything goes well mate See ya Jimi Edited May 8, 2012 by jimi91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickn5k Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi all, Thought you might be interested in my "new" TE37 Levin. The ugly: well not really ugly... just parts that are hard to get! Missing the headlining, A pillar trim and C pillar trim. Yes, we are all very interested in your Levin!!!!!!! On the hoodlining, pillar trims and carpet. I'd look at the KE coupes. Just need the hoops for the hood lining and a picture of an original and get a trimmer to make the hoodlining and pillar covers. Carpet should be identical to ke35/55 Why the resto? It looks pretty sweet in the photos. Stu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doogs Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Awesome, +1 for more pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TE278U Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 nice. hope to see it at the toyotafest in june. (no excuses...) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZach23 Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Awesome Car, Defiantly need more pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Awesome +3! Will also be looking for this at Toyotafest. How did the import go logistically? Often see assorted halfcuts at Aaron's, curious to know how a full car for certifiction goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhoncho Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hey Michael Thats is a great score :D can't u get parts through import monster??? I'm pretty sure they will have something That rally car of urs would be this one would it??? Sounded like it wasnt running right at the rally??? Hope everything goes well mate See ya Jimi I'm keeping my eye out for parts... getting a headlining in good condition is going to be difficult. They were a one piece unit, and the vinyl used to come away from its backing. The trim shouldn't be so difficult - plenty of aftermarket carpet, and there are enough old KE35/55 coupes out there that I should be able to find the A/C pillar trim. And yes, that was my rally car... and no, it was going fine in that event.... depending on which stage you saw me on, I might have been trying to plug my intercom in. (long story). It doesn't sound as throaty as other 2T-Gs as I have an original air cleaner on it. More photos of the TE37 coming shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhoncho Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Here's some more photos - was a great day in Melbourne today! Front 3/4 Another View: Grill with Levin Badge Dash with 200kph speedo and tacho Oil pressure/Oil temperature(!)/Ammeter - Original Japanese AM/FM radio (hope it'll pick up Aussie stations) Pristine driver's footwell (with standard footrest) Passenger Footwell (with rust in front left corner) - about the only bit of (major) rust in it. Crappy driver's seat - to be replaced!! Pristine Passenger seat and rear seat No rust (well surface only) in the spare wheel well! Original jack and toolkit (haven't opened the toolkit yet, so it might be empty!) Engine / intake /exhaust The driver's seatbelt.... I might have to change this. The important bit - matching chassis number with the build plate - although you can't see it too well... chassis number matches the one on the plate that has the all important 2T-G stamped as the standard engine! (a close up of the plate) That should satisfy you for now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJT036 Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 This thing is Awesome !!! Loving pretty much everything about this car. :y: nice. hope to see it at the toyotafest in june. (no excuses...) +1. Must see this at Toyotafest. I'll be there in my Panelvan. :) All the best with this mad TE37. Josh :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhoncho Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 nice. hope to see it at the toyotafest in june. (no excuses...) If you're talking about the All Toyota Winterfest on June 24 - unfortunately, it won't be there. I'd already booked to be away for that week. Awesome +3! Will also be looking for this at Toyotafest. How did the import go logistically? Often see assorted halfcuts at Aaron's, curious to know how a full car for certifiction goes. Import went very smoothly! I hardly had to do anything. This is how it went.... I found the car on the import monster site (which translates all the yahoo.jp auctions) I found extra photos at the original yahoo site, which gave me enough information to make an offer. The guys at import monster did some negotiating for me (and got it at a lower than the 'starting' price). The rest was easy... the car was shipped to their warehouse in Japan. I applied for a vehicle import approval... which was easy as the car is pre 1989 with basically no mods. Once this was done, I just had to wait for it to be put on a ship. Clearing customs and quarantine took 2 days [very quick apparently], and the car was delivered to my door on the back of a tow truck. All I had to do was pay the bills. It took around 3 months from start to finish... and most of that was waiting for paperwork to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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