silverra23 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) About time I put up a rides thread on my 1969 KE15 Toyota Corolla Sprinter, since its been 6 months since I bought it. The purchase came about as I had a hankering to own another classic besides the Celica, which I could put on club reg and use for the odd spot of hillclimbing, Sunday cruising etc, and be less precious about it - the Celica spends more time in the garage than it should because I am terrified someone will open their door on it in a carpark, or its raining, or the day ends in Y... etc etc. I spotted a KE15 on ebay that was a bit rough around the edges, but I figured in time with some love I could get it to fit the brief. I called the owner, and he quickly worked out who I was and that I was the silver RA23 owner. He said the blue Sprinter I was looking at was too rough for me, but he had another one (this one) that he thinks I would much prefer. He sent me some photos and he was right... I told the other half the budget for the fun car had just gone up, and promptly dashed over for a look. So I went and looked, and it was pretty. So I bought it, without a good look over I must confess, but it was too pretty not to have! That failure to give it a good look over has probably cost me a bit of money in hindsight, but I love the car so all is fair in love and car sales.... History as I know it.. bought from Tasmania 10+ years ago with plans to become a Group Nc racer, but fortunately for me that never happened. The Tasmanian owner had painted it red, from its original white, and it was a nice tidy job. Its been shed bound since that purchase 10 years ago, explaining why it still looks good. At some point it has been fitted with a stock 4K engine and 5 speed. The guy I bought it from fitted a weber 45 to it, which was clearly too big for a stock motor, so my mechanic Peter Robinson Automotive fitted a stock carby to get us up and running. I will eventually sell the 45, and try and get something more appropriate for the engine, probably a 38 or 40. It sat in Peter's workshop for a few months (like 3 months!) while I was away in Ballarat, and he gradually fixed up for me a number of deficiencies the car had. She had her public debut a week ago at TCCAV's Cars Coffee & Donuts and everyone seemed to like her very much. Photos (mostly taken by the previous owner) When I first got it home Then I found these through rollaclub Which will look even more ace when I get a better tyre size/profile on them This is her at Donuts Plans are to do some or all of the following: 1. Fit a smaller Weber 2. Fit some suspension that is more handling oriented 3. Fit semi slicks to the superlite rims as my "race rubber" 4. Maybe fit some period styled race bucket seats, and harnesses 5. Racing stripe and period style door numbers 6. Enjoy :) Edited June 23, 2014 by silverra23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono.C Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Jealous!! Looks amazing Incredible how much better it looks on those new wheels compared to superlights/ minilights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverra23 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Why thank you. She looks good on superlites, and great on the work equips :) I am so stoked about owning her - having had a KE15 briefly and not having the ability to hold on to it, I never thought I would have the privelege again. Whaddaya know, circumstances have proven otherwise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono.C Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Any ideas where in Tasmania it came from? I've never seen one on the road but have heard stories of a couple.. We bought one off an old guy down here who claimed to have a factory condition ke17 in a dehumidified shed to keep it perfect. Wouldn't say where it was or show any pictures but.. Can't believe how perfect this looks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverra23 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Its far from perfect, but its nice and neat. Digital photos hide many sins! No idea where it came from in Tassie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Lugg Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Oh wow. Great find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KEI069 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I know this car quite well and your lucky it came with as many sprinter options as it did, I tried to get my hands on some of the rare pieces but the previous owner wanted to keep it As a sprinter should be.. and fair enough too, it's a cool little machine. Looks ace with the works wheels and love the plans you have for it, If you ever want to get rid of those factory seat belts let me know! Happy motoring Cheers Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpb Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Beautiful car Adam and love the plans for it pity you didn't stay down our way so I could admire it driving around my old Toyota lacking town hah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverra23 Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Ha if its anything like the Celica it will end up shed bound and you will never see it on the road lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrot Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I presume both sets of wheels are 13's. What size tyres are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimL Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Looks like a really nice car. The best part about owning a 'rough' car is that you are not afraid to really use it and have fun. Ive got a mini that some time down the line will need some work, but its just too fun getting out on some slippery dirt roads! RE seats, something like these would be awesome! http://minisport.com.au/mini-bucket-seata-black-vinyla-no-headrest-low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ke70dave Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 yeah thats very nice. so shiny! I prefer those minilites over the work equips though, but hey the works look alright too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverra23 Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 parrot - yes both sets of wheels 13's.. the superlites are 13x6... works are 13x6 and 13x7... can't remember what the tyre size is but lets just call it "ghey". when i first looked at it I think it had 205's on it and i expressed surprise they didn't rub. after a drive around the block it apparently turned out that they did quite badly! Jim - you are on the right track there. Though I would really like something with harness slots. I quite like these which I have seen on yahoo japan.. they can have a head rest bolted to them which appeals... but again having the harness in the right place will be questionable. Given they are japanese not sure they will fit my gaijin arse/hips either!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverra23 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 No updates of note really.. drove her to Cars Coffee and Donuts last Sunday and she was well behaved. Hooked up some heater hoses and installed a 20A fuse in the heater circuit (instead of the blown 10A one in there) and suddenly she has heat and a windscreen demister. Happy days! Also acquired a Momo steering wheel for her, just waiting on a boss to arrive now and that will all be installed as my first "serious" upgrade. Photos from the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KEI069 Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Looks cool as, Are we going to see her at toyota winterfest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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