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The Project Car


So as per my post a few weeks ago I decided to get myself a project car. Now previously to me a project car has been a car with the end goal of enormous amounts of grunt and cool factor, but this one will be a little different.

The car itself is a 1993 Toyota MR2 Targa Top (removeable roof panels) with a manual transmission, 16inch wheels and not a great amount of anything going for it. But that will change.


The first plans with this car are to get it road legal. In the state I took ownership it was in a bit of a sad state, lacking in a sealed roof, Warrant of Fitness and registration. Upon taking it to my handy WoF guy Andy @Millhouse Motors in Ashfield Road in Glenfield (09-444-7115) we found the MR2 to be in very good condition, with the only thing needed to get it road legal were tightening the Hand Brake/E-Brake (depending on your philosophical bent) and an update of its Registration licensing fees.


The plan for this car is pretty simple. A car that is simple, reliable, and ultimately, very fun to drive in any situation.
To achieve this I plan on replacing the mix of Bridgestone tyres (currently RE001 225/50 R16 on the rear and Potenza GIII 205/50 R16 on the front) with Bridgestone RE002 tyres front and rear in the same staggered size to help with the handling, upgrading the tower bars to slightly heavier duty items from Ultra Racing and rebuilding the standard 3S-GE engine to solve some small issues it currently suffers from, mainly the oil consumption issue due to worn piston rings or valve seals.

This will be a slow project as the Motoring business, although glamourous, does not line ones pockets in
gold. Along the way I hope to put together a couple of 'How to' guides on how to go about certain aspects of the build along with photos to help.


Cheers to Dan Oliver for sorting the handbrake adjustment for me so I could get the car in the above mentioned road worthy state and Andy the WoF guy for being so thorough so we know I'm starting on a solid foundation.

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