SVT BAIT: 1995 Supra
11-23-2016, 08:52 PM
#1
SVT BAIT: 1995 Supra I've been a long time F-Body guy, but I figured it was time to try something different. I have been able to create a lot of success over the past couple years in my work which has given me the opportunity to jump into a MKIV, with making no sacrifices in my life, or having to sell my Z06. The car I ended up picking up is far from perfect, but is mechanically excellent.
The purpose of this thread is to share my progress into making this a tasteful example of a RHD Supra. I'm looking forward to keeping this updated and seeing your comments along the way.
Before we start on the Supra side of things, here is the other toy I currently have - 2002 Corvette Z06:
How it sat when I purchased it. Clearly, there is some work to be done here.
Brought it to a good friend's shop to go over the car and do some maintenance to it. They were a huge help in making sure the car was mechanically sound. We ended up doing a bunch of general maintenance, and some preventative things as well.
First things first, I had to reverse some questionable decisions:
The headlights were painted to give a more aggressive (gaudy?) look. I removed the paint, and polished the lights. They'd definitely seen better days.
I took off the wheels it came with. Not sure what they actually are, but it pains me to have essentially fake Fikse FM10s.
Replaced in favor of a set of 19" HRE 843R which set the car off nicely.
The purpose of this thread is to share my progress into making this a tasteful example of a RHD Supra. I'm looking forward to keeping this updated and seeing your comments along the way.
Before we start on the Supra side of things, here is the other toy I currently have - 2002 Corvette Z06:
How it sat when I purchased it. Clearly, there is some work to be done here.
Brought it to a good friend's shop to go over the car and do some maintenance to it. They were a huge help in making sure the car was mechanically sound. We ended up doing a bunch of general maintenance, and some preventative things as well.
First things first, I had to reverse some questionable decisions:
The headlights were painted to give a more aggressive (gaudy?) look. I removed the paint, and polished the lights. They'd definitely seen better days.
I took off the wheels it came with. Not sure what they actually are, but it pains me to have essentially fake Fikse FM10s.
Replaced in favor of a set of 19" HRE 843R which set the car off nicely.
11-23-2016, 08:53 PM
#2
Someone local wanted to take a couple pictures with the car; here are two of her pictures before the winter progress:
I managed to snag a set of clean '97+ facelift lights, too. I'm really pleased with how these look.
The car is now parked for the winter, but I'm slowly starting to get it all cleaned up. I can't get over just how bad the paint is, especially on the hood, from water spots, and swirls. I'm doing paint correction when time allows me to over the course of the winter.
This is all the progress so far. I will be getting this car back to its former glory over the course of the winter, and will have a presentable MKIV by the time that spring rolls around. I will be keeping everyone posted as things improve!
I managed to snag a set of clean '97+ facelift lights, too. I'm really pleased with how these look.
The car is now parked for the winter, but I'm slowly starting to get it all cleaned up. I can't get over just how bad the paint is, especially on the hood, from water spots, and swirls. I'm doing paint correction when time allows me to over the course of the winter.
This is all the progress so far. I will be getting this car back to its former glory over the course of the winter, and will have a presentable MKIV by the time that spring rolls around. I will be keeping everyone posted as things improve!
11-28-2016, 05:31 PM
#3
Douchebag On The Tree
1. I always loved your old Formula.
2. Your C5Z still kicks ***.
3. Is there a big difference in the 97+ headlights I'm just not seeing?
4. WTF WAS ON THOSE TAILLIGHTS?! I've never even seen that fad. I hope it doesn't come to Indiana anytime soon.
2. Your C5Z still kicks ***.
3. Is there a big difference in the 97+ headlights I'm just not seeing?
4. WTF WAS ON THOSE TAILLIGHTS?! I've never even seen that fad. I hope it doesn't come to Indiana anytime soon.
11-29-2016, 01:41 PM
#4
3. '97+ cars got a refresh including different headlights, tail lights, and a few other things that are less noticeable. The differences are subtle and invisible if you don't know what to look for.
1997+ headlights are 'black housing' rather than the earlier versions which were all chrome. The updated ones have far fewer lines on the inside, and they get rid of the parking light bubble in front of the fog (outermost) light.
4. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
12-15-2016, 04:15 PM
#7
December is slow for work, so I'm making some progress here. The car is almost completely polished and has come out nicely; it's not perfect, but I'm pleased for a 20+ year old (black!) car that's been driven.
The new wing came in, and it (surprisingly) fits very well! I will be sending it, and a few other things off to paint next week!
I got the time to split open the wheels I had to rehoop and widen them. They were far too narrow before: F8.5/R9.5. I've moved up to F9.0/R10.5. Still conservative, but much more aggressive than they were.
I bought an extra set of tail lights to start an LED project, but I'm currently waiting for all the LEDs to come in. More on these later!
Finally, I was able to source a pair of the Recaro "Confetti" SR3 seats. I'm anxious to get these in the car!
The new wing came in, and it (surprisingly) fits very well! I will be sending it, and a few other things off to paint next week!
I got the time to split open the wheels I had to rehoop and widen them. They were far too narrow before: F8.5/R9.5. I've moved up to F9.0/R10.5. Still conservative, but much more aggressive than they were.
I bought an extra set of tail lights to start an LED project, but I'm currently waiting for all the LEDs to come in. More on these later!
Finally, I was able to source a pair of the Recaro "Confetti" SR3 seats. I'm anxious to get these in the car!
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12-15-2016, 07:41 PM
#8
looking good so far, cant wait to see your progress.
Hows the right hand side steering wheel? Ive seen only a few cars in person with right side steering wheels, but never knew how it feels driving like that.
Hows the right hand side steering wheel? Ive seen only a few cars in person with right side steering wheels, but never knew how it feels driving like that.
12-16-2016, 09:29 AM
#10
Only one page and this thread grabbed our interest right away! The Recaro confettis are still our favorite seat to this day.
Do you have any plans for engine mods?
Do you have any plans for engine mods?
This winter, it's all cosmetic and getting the car back to how it should be. Next winter will likely be a big single
12-20-2016, 07:50 AM
#11
This is so cool. You're making the car extremely nice! Great work on that.
I love these cars, I just can't imagine what it would be like to have to shift with my left hand. It'd take a while to get used to I'm sure!
I love these cars, I just can't imagine what it would be like to have to shift with my left hand. It'd take a while to get used to I'm sure!
12-24-2016, 01:29 PM
#13
There is beginning to be light at the end of the tunnel! The car has been fully cut, polished, and sealed. What a project!
Paint before:
I have always disliked the JDM pre-facelift fenders, so I replaced them with the North American ones without the side marker in them. They look so much cleaner without the side markers!
I had the tires mounted onto the rehooped HRE 843R wheels. They are holding air well, and I am very pleased with how the fronts sit in relation to the fenders! I also ordered the classic RWB HRE centre caps to make the wheels pop a bit more. I much prefer them to the dull grey & silver ones.
With the bumpers off the car, I got the opportunity to install the FMIC. I still need to route the piping and get a new coolant overflow tank.
I took off the bumpers and sent them, along with some other pieces, off to paint. I should have them back in early January and be able to get the car all back together!
Paint before:
I have always disliked the JDM pre-facelift fenders, so I replaced them with the North American ones without the side marker in them. They look so much cleaner without the side markers!
I had the tires mounted onto the rehooped HRE 843R wheels. They are holding air well, and I am very pleased with how the fronts sit in relation to the fenders! I also ordered the classic RWB HRE centre caps to make the wheels pop a bit more. I much prefer them to the dull grey & silver ones.
With the bumpers off the car, I got the opportunity to install the FMIC. I still need to route the piping and get a new coolant overflow tank.
I took off the bumpers and sent them, along with some other pieces, off to paint. I should have them back in early January and be able to get the car all back together!
01-12-2017, 11:11 AM
#17
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (14)
NICE project car! my dad had a bright red one when I was growing up and I really wished he would have kept that car....for selfish reasons.
congrats and restoring black is no easy task but looks like a lot of it came back pretty good. Those chromatic tail lights........ eek. Look forward to the resto!
congrats and restoring black is no easy task but looks like a lot of it came back pretty good. Those chromatic tail lights........ eek. Look forward to the resto!
03-10-2017, 07:20 PM
#20
I managed to get the car almost completely back together over the past day here. With two weeks or so left until the weather clears, I'm getting excited.
I picked up the front and rear bumpers up from paint along with a few other parts as well. It's a big improvement over what they looked like when I bought the car.
I got around to mounting the front bumper. The amount of mounting points is incredible. I also took the time to update the front turn signals to the 1997+ 'facelift' (clear) ones. It's a little disconcerting drilling into a brand new bumper, but they look infinitely better!
The FMIC fills up the front nicely.
I mounted the rear bumper and got the time to install the TRD rear wing. I'm really happy with the end result of the updated rear end.
The interior is back together, and with a couple small exceptions, the car is ready for spring. Next update in a couple weeks!
I picked up the front and rear bumpers up from paint along with a few other parts as well. It's a big improvement over what they looked like when I bought the car.
I got around to mounting the front bumper. The amount of mounting points is incredible. I also took the time to update the front turn signals to the 1997+ 'facelift' (clear) ones. It's a little disconcerting drilling into a brand new bumper, but they look infinitely better!
The FMIC fills up the front nicely.
I mounted the rear bumper and got the time to install the TRD rear wing. I'm really happy with the end result of the updated rear end.
The interior is back together, and with a couple small exceptions, the car is ready for spring. Next update in a couple weeks!