Damn you Marketplace - 1992 Toyota Corolla wagon 4x4
Discussion
Well another project I didn't need haha, but I just couldn't resist. I people know anything about me its that I love 90s Toyotas, and it was cheap, and for obvious reasons, just look at it!
I had a hunch it would be worth the effort, so off to Melbourne I went (again) to check it out. And then bring it home
So about the car, it's a late model AE95 wagon, lord gears of course, full time 4 wheel drive with a fancy automatic centre diff. Powered by the venerable 4A FE engine, it no road burner but it should be good for a daily knock about car. What's special about this car is is an Australian only special edition - Olympic Spirit, which is maybe 1 of 500, nothing fancy, just decals and red trim but still, rare is rare.
2 owners from new, its been parked on a farm since 2015 and either used as a farm truck, or just storage for hay apparently, anyway someone clearly loved it in the past. My fear is its been parked for a reason and that reason is terminal.
The good - Its solid, not a spot of rust anywhere which for a 90s Corolla is a minor miracle. It's complete, all trim in place, standard stereo still fitted. Its a 'high spec' car with power steering AND air con
The bad - no keys, no history of any kind, its got few miles (200k)
I had a hunch it would be worth the effort, so off to Melbourne I went (again) to check it out. And then bring it home
So about the car, it's a late model AE95 wagon, lord gears of course, full time 4 wheel drive with a fancy automatic centre diff. Powered by the venerable 4A FE engine, it no road burner but it should be good for a daily knock about car. What's special about this car is is an Australian only special edition - Olympic Spirit, which is maybe 1 of 500, nothing fancy, just decals and red trim but still, rare is rare.
2 owners from new, its been parked on a farm since 2015 and either used as a farm truck, or just storage for hay apparently, anyway someone clearly loved it in the past. My fear is its been parked for a reason and that reason is terminal.
The good - Its solid, not a spot of rust anywhere which for a 90s Corolla is a minor miracle. It's complete, all trim in place, standard stereo still fitted. Its a 'high spec' car with power steering AND air con
The bad - no keys, no history of any kind, its got few miles (200k)
The project is going to have 2 phases -
Phase 1 - get key from Toyota, ensure the engine and running gear is good, can get all gears and it will move under its own power, which will trigger phase 2 which is restoration
If phase 1 fails it will be broken for parts. So its either going to be the shortest project ever, or the most satisfying project ever
So tomorrow I'll order a key from Mr T, and then we'll know! There's one stumbling block in the starting plan, this guy, an early alarm. Hopefully its easy to bypass or already has been
Phase 1 - get key from Toyota, ensure the engine and running gear is good, can get all gears and it will move under its own power, which will trigger phase 2 which is restoration
If phase 1 fails it will be broken for parts. So its either going to be the shortest project ever, or the most satisfying project ever
So tomorrow I'll order a key from Mr T, and then we'll know! There's one stumbling block in the starting plan, this guy, an early alarm. Hopefully its easy to bypass or already has been
Congratulations on buying this as an owner of one since 2009 I was almost thinking of getting this and fixing it myself but in the end posted the ad on the AE95 Corolla Club Facebook page (join us if you aren't there already).
Looks like it would be great condition under the ecosystem.
I could be wrong but the key number could be etched on the inside of the front or drivers lock mechanism which a Toyota dealer used to be able to order for you. They are pretty generic though with other Toyotas of that time. So you could get a set of locks from a SECA or something of the same age and swap it in. In the inside of the tailgate their is a little plastic panel that hides an opener to the tailgate if that is locked. This model also has central locking. Really good idea to get it hooked up to an immobiliser and then you have remote locking.
These things are tanks and actually capable on dirt due to the diff lock. don't forget to change the rear diff oil while you are changing the fluids. Heaps of parts are swappable with other Corollas of the time. I'll be interested to see how it works out for you!
Looks like it would be great condition under the ecosystem.
I could be wrong but the key number could be etched on the inside of the front or drivers lock mechanism which a Toyota dealer used to be able to order for you. They are pretty generic though with other Toyotas of that time. So you could get a set of locks from a SECA or something of the same age and swap it in. In the inside of the tailgate their is a little plastic panel that hides an opener to the tailgate if that is locked. This model also has central locking. Really good idea to get it hooked up to an immobiliser and then you have remote locking.
These things are tanks and actually capable on dirt due to the diff lock. don't forget to change the rear diff oil while you are changing the fluids. Heaps of parts are swappable with other Corollas of the time. I'll be interested to see how it works out for you!
Thanks for the reply, just the one I was looking for. It is in great condition and definitely worth saving, Ill definitely check the group out, Ill probably need a few parts.
Re the key, went to Toyota with the VIN number, bish bash bosh, key ordered, 28 bucks, will be here in a couple of days.
Re the key, went to Toyota with the VIN number, bish bash bosh, key ordered, 28 bucks, will be here in a couple of days.
Ford Timelord said:
This model also has central locking. Really good idea to get it hooked up to an immobiliser and then you have remote locking.
One of my sources of nervousness is it has an alarm fitted, which I assumed controlled the locks, chances of getting a fob for it are probably nil so Im aiming to remove it if it doesnt play ballGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff