This is my project car, an Australian-delivered 1981 Toyota Celica LT Liftback, which has sat since around the year 2001/2002. The 18RC & W50 5 Speed Manual-equipped Celica has 66,000 kilometers on the clock and, unfortunately, suffered valvetrain issues. It has since sat garaged, but in mid 2024, this project has slowly started. With a big passion for cars and racing, this Celica was the perfect platform for me to learn everything, from restoration, prep work, paint work, mechanical work (suspension, steering, engines, etc.), and has even opened some doors to some CAD Development. This project will be used as a learning tool to develop custom brackets, engine mounts, custom aero/bodykits, interior peices and more, which over the next few years should get developed and sold on an online store or through contacting me. In the future, fully adjustable trailing arms, coilovers, and adjustable front suspension would be the goal to be able to learn and apply these findings to suspension tuning/setup.
*Hover/Select Image for Description
(2024 - Current)
No damage from repeated hammer strikes
Apart from old support stringing, no damage after use
Perfect fit for the driver tool
400G & Wet Sanding
3D Prinitng The Seal Driver
See my other peojects for more in-depth into V1 of the Driver
Designed a light tool (Custom Axle Seal Driver)
Painted - Final Result ready for seals, gaskets and axle assembly to go in
Masked Off for Paint
400 Grit surface refinish in preperation for Gasket + FIPG, Thread chased axle bolts and cleaned out the bolt holes
Taking measurements on new axle seals to make a driver tool
Taking measurements to design a custom seal driver tool
Punched out the old seals
400-600 Grit Sand and Minor polish
Knicks reduced and were now smooth reducing chance of cracking
Sanded the shaft doen using 400Grit & Lubricant
After getting my axles back from the shop they created a few knicks in the shaft
Final Product, needs to be trimmed shorter and attatched
Sewn Together
Templates
Measuring boot dimensions to re-trim from orginal style leather
Installed to specification
Aftermarket upgraded billet short shifter
New OE Bushing, Rubber and grease
Transmission shifter service
Custom Shift Knob, Size and Ergonimcs testing before getting Machined
Installed Dowells
Machined Steel Step Down Dowells
Engineering Drawing for Machine Shop
Step Down Dowells to mate transmission to engine for engine swap
Zinc Coated
Cleaned and Prepped
Zinc Coated
Prepped
Stripping engine bay hardlines for restoration
Upgraded Rear Swaybar, Adjustable Panhard Rod and Poly Bushings
Installed new suspension
Painted the spring seats in Chasis Paint
Cleaned and prepped ready for paint
Prep for parinting trailing arms for the 4 Link Rear Suspension
Masking and prep for chasis paint
Rust Conversion Primer
Sanded old paint and rust off
Original Condition
EGR & Emmisions Delete
Final Results
Sanded Lettering and Clearcoated
Primed and Painted
Sanded and Prepped Surface
Final Results
FInal Results
After Acid Cleaning
Original Condition (Lukey 544 Headers)
Cleaned up USA Spec Mid Sump
22R Mid Sump from USA to complete a GT conversion with Aus Spec Subframe
Old Engine is out
Side View
New Wheels Acquired
Start of full brake and suspension restoration
Chasis paint applied to boot
Sound Dampening Applied
Prepped for Sound Dampening and Paint
New Carpet and Console back in
New Carpet
Retrimmed Centre Console
Heat/sound dampening & cushion for comfort
Heat/sound dampening & cushion for comfort
Preparing to sound deaden
Progress Picture
Reconditioning horn
Original Condition Horn
Resprayed and refurbished the hood latch mechanism
Another unfinished project
Started a custom digital gauge display
The start of this resto-mod
