NOW SOLD
I never thought this day would come, but I simply have too many cars and too little time for them all. This car hardly gets used anymore and it seems a shame to let it sit idle.
The car you are looking at is a JDM Toyopet (Toyota) Corona RT112 Coupe/Hardtop.
As far as I know, it's still the only RT11x Hardtop on Australian roads. I know of one other in Sydney and that one is not driveable.
The car was featured in Australian Classic Car magazine Feb 2009:
http://www.ccar.com.au/html/articles/everyday_classic/Feb09ToyopetCorona1800GL.html
It will also feature in a scene or two of the an upcoming telemovie - "Underbelly - The Man who Got Away."
I imported it from Japan in 2006. After it arrived both front guards were replaced with new ones and minor rust was cut out of one inner sill and one rear guard. An outside only respray was completed in the original silver and rechromed bumpers were fitted. The car has been always garaged since and is still in excellent condition. However, the paint has copped a few chips and marks as I used the car daily for over a year.
Inside everything is original except the carpets. The piping on the drives seat has split from the seatbelt rubbing on it and there are a few small marks on the seats etc. The dash is uncracked and the interior is excellent for the car's age. The factory air was converted to R134A gas and was working with the original engine, but the compressor has not been refitted after the 18RGU swap. I prefer driving with all the windows rolled down anyway!
In 2007 I removed the original 16R 1.8 SOHC engine and four speed box and fitted an 18RGU DOHC 2.0 engine with approx 145hp and matching five speed (W50). This was an optional engine for this car so it bolts straight in. It features factory electronic ignition, rebuilt dual solex side draught carbs expertly tuned by Thornbury's, extractors and a custom 2 1/4" exhaust system. The original 4.1:1 T series diff remains.
Wheels are gold CSA/Delta 14" with Yokohama 185/70R14 tyres about 90% tread. Brakes are stock, with the ovrehead low pad-warning feature still functioning.
The car comes with:
- Ultra rare GT dash cluster (tacho, oil pressure, amps) which I never installed.
- Spare s/h tail lights and grille I importted from the USA.
- Spare bumpers, front pristine, rear slightly dented.
- 18RGU Air con bracket for rotary compressor.
- 14x6.5 staggered offset Watanabe wheels (need stripping and restoring).
- Near new Pedders Shocks and reset rear leaf springs not fitted.
- Original mirrors, carpets, fog lights etc in a box.
- Spare carbs (incomplete).
- Spare new genuine front pads.
- Toyota Parts book.
- Copy of the magazine featuring the car.
- Workshop manuals (Gregory and Haynes).
- Toyota "Green Bible" 18RG manual.
- Sales brochures - JDM and US.
- All paperwork, engineers certificate etc.
There is plenty of potential to take this car further. For example dropping it a coupe of inches and fitting the Watanabes would really improve the looks.
The car was registered in Victoria on full rego until May 2010 so there should be no problem registering it anywhere in Aus. It is now on VIC club-permit registration, which is not transferrable. It will be sold with no RWC "as is, where is" but I will provide a permit for 28 days to the buyer allowing time to register or transport the car, which is legal in every state. The exhaust is loud and there is a minor oil leak from the back of the sump area. Otherwise I can't see any potential RWC issues, but I'm not a mechanic.
The car runs very well with plenty of power in the upper ranges and sounds absolutely horn. I love going through tunnels with the windows down just to hear that exhaust and the carbies gargling. I'm not exactly sure what is in the motor, as it was in another Corona when I bought it. Thornbury's reckon it is not standard internally, but I don't know for sure. It does have a flat spot at low revs, which Thornbury's told me would be cured with a dizzy regraph. Just one of the many things I never got around to doing!
The gearbox and diff are fine with no noises or crunches. The clutch is an Exedy heavy duty.
It's a grumpy bitch to start when it's been left for a few weeks, and it doesn't like to idle when cold. But once it's warmed up, it's fine.
The radiator has been recoed in Oct or Nov last year, as it used to get hot when pushed on a hot day.
My asking price is $10,000. I think this is very reasonable given the rarity of the car. It would cost far more to get one from Japan today and bring it up to this condition.
The car will not be released until paid in full by bank transfer/cheque or cash. No exceptions. I'm not interested in swaps.
I will assist with shipping it interstate or even overseas. But all transport cost and risk is to be bourne by the buyer. Car is located in Wyndham Vale 3024, in Melbourne.
I reserve the right to remove it from sale if I change my mind! 🙂
Cheers,
Brett Nicholson
Wyndham Vale VIC 3024
0410 566 043
brett(at)nicho.id.au
bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard
436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
