mattatron Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 (edited) Hey I'm new here so I thought I'd show off my KE50 seeing as there's only one other one on the entire forum. They're definitely a rarity but chicks dig 'em and that's all that matters. Mine's a 77 model. Came with the 1166cc engine which was way too slow for my Dad when he owned it (132kph on-the-mat ) so he shoehorned in a water injected, T04 Rotomaster turbocharger way back in '79 for Mini Cooper S beating performance & 172kph max. (40kph increase on standard!!)T03 would've been a better match but they weren't round then. For extra grunt then came the switch for the big cubes 1290cc. (Top speed now 182kph) Its got Aunger Wheels, a JVC MP3 player and a Momo wheel (The last one got stolen even though it's a fake -but don't tell anyone) Not sure if this is right but the vehicle history book says it does 0-100 in 11.4 seconds. I'll have to check that with Dad. (Yep! That's right) Gets 64KW at the wheels on the dyno and that's with the rpm limited to about 5,000rpm cos the wastegate's stuffed & we didn't want to Chernobyl it. Even at 5,000rpm the dyno test shows boost went to 16.6psi. The car itself gets thrashed pretty much everywhere it goes. Needs a bit of a fix up though so I'm going to have to see if I can find another one for parts. They're a dieing breed though and there was never many of them round to begin with so I'm probably stuffed. Crashed it a little while back into the back of another car, so the paint job is a bit patchy. Most of the original paint is gone anyways. The cars in dire need of a respray and some rust removal. This is its good side Not sure how big the turbo is but ill find out. Once the car broke down and these two Commadore freaks came to help me work out the problem and get it going again. I popped the bonnets and they both went "WWOOOOAAHHH!!" when they saw the turbo so it can't be too bad. If you drive it flat out for a while (like 180km/h for 5 minutes) the turbo goes white hot. I always forget to bring the mashmellows though. Edited March 29, 2006 by mattatron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent-KE30 Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Wow, nice turbo setup! Nice looking KE50 :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 This I have to see! Being it has VIC plates I notice too :| Another VIC member! Welcome aboard.. and yeah... nice work with the boosted 50! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattatron Posted March 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Yeah its pretty shmick! I really haven't done anything to it but put in the wheel and stereo though. Its basically the same car my dad drove to uni when he was my age. My main problem right now is that I need a new windscreen and the rubber surrounding it needs to be replaced. don't really know where I can get the rubber. When it rains I have to put icescream buckets underneith the dash cos the windscreen leaks. Everyone keep an eye out for a KE 50 in the vic area. I need another one to do this one up with. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 My rubbers I got for my car (KE35) I had to order through Rares Spares... cost me bugger all. That was a while ago, I'm sure they still have them. Anybody who does windscreen removal/fitting could point you in the right direction with that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattatron Posted March 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 My rubbers I got for my car (KE35) I had to order through Rares Spares... cost me bugger all. That was a while ago, I'm sure they still have them. Anybody who does windscreen removal/fitting could point you in the right direction with that though. Yeah but the KE35 was assembled in Australia whereas the KE50 was an import & there ain't many 'round. Dad reckons the windscreen on the 35 are similar but a bit bigger. Might be able to cut one of them down to suit. Sounds like the rubber is going to be a custom job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Wouldn't hurt to try them though... I was using my car as an example on how they hooked me up with rubber for my car. They specialise in getting NEW hard-to-find parts.... only problem is they make you pay for it too! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattatron Posted March 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 I've got a bit of a story to tell about the Rolla's day on the dyno. They had a bit of a day at the local TAFE where people could bring in their cars for a free run on the dyno. I wasn't there but this is the story as Dad told it. There were a bunch of guys with MGBs, a Torana, MR2s and the like. This dude had a Mini Cooper S, which he was talking-up and saying how great it was. So my uncle John bet him a slab of VB that our little Rolla could kill his Mini. The Rolla didnt look like a Mini beater - Seats falling to bits, bald tires, rust and crap paint. The guy said "Your on" but John told him "There's a catch, it's turboed". But the guy still reckoned his Mini could whip the little 1290cc Rolla. Dad opened the bonnet and showed it off to the guy who said, "Yeah, no worries". The Rolla peaked a out 64kW @ 118 kmh and 11.3psi boost (Less than full potential cos the wastegate's nackered and revvs were limited to only 5,000rpm).The MR2 got 88kW. The MGB got 35kW and the Mini pulled a whopping 36kW. The really funny bit was the guy hanging out of the Mini looking at the dyno screen saying"It's gotta be more, It's gotta be more!" He never paid up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattatron Posted March 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 (edited) Just thought I'd add some more photos incase anyone was interested. It looks better wet Edited March 30, 2006 by mattatron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolla__Boy Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 That is VERY cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Miller- Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 its a very rare car 2nd ke50 ive ever seen!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ke50 Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 looks pretty neat mate, gotta love turbo power too. nice to see another 50 on here. i though i had the only one in existence. well i had another one but she is gone now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolla__Boy Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 I had one, and have pics of it, and I see a couple a week in Canberra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattatron Posted March 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 Post your pics Rolla__Boy. I'm sure everyone would wanna see them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ's Rollas Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 They definately are rare rolla's - direct imports (compared to an Australian assembled 70's Rolla they don't have the borg warner diff) and made for the american market when the fuel crisis was on in the 70's (that's why they have pillarless doors - made to look like a mini American Yank Tank) however, all the imports to America were only 4 speed, where as Aussies got the 5 Speed Version! Factory Tacho, cloth seats, FM Radio Standard and speakers in the rear!! Very rare for a 70's Rolla! The first of the KE50's came across in 1977 then they imported the update in 1979 which was identical but came with a rear windscreen wiper! Awesome little cars, tough as, rwd - gotta love it!!!! So don't EVA get rid of it mattatron - Keep it and spend the money you have to spend on it - caus one day you won't realise just how unique and rare they really are.. I might be able to help out with a Windscreen Rubber - what would you be interested in paying for one? KJ :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.