Opinions Please

[Drewsky]

Hi, I'm a new poster on here and wether or not I'll be a regular visitor probably depends on this thread.

A few years ago, I was gazumped on a 1987 red MR2 by a "friend". The car was completely original and immaculate at the time and had only 60K miles on the clock with FSH.
I recieved a phone call off said friend today to tell me he's selling his house and so the MR2...which has sat open to the elements and not used in his back yard for all this time.... is for sale again :rolleyes:

I've been to look at it and it's looking very sorry for itself. However, there's no serious rot on first inspection, just a small split on the bottom of the drivers door, and some rust on one rear wheel arch, (not rotten). I havn't checked the floor yet. The engine is covered in leaf mulch but all looks ok on the surface and all nice and original.

I'm looking at 3 different options at the moment.

1; Buy the car, get it road worthy and sort out the cosmetics over time while using/enjoying it.

2; Buy the car and restore it fully.

3; Buy the car and, if I decide it's not a viable resto, break it and sell the parts.

I'm a fan of '70s and '80s Japanese cars and would enjoy working on the car but, as with a lot of folks right now, money is tight...ish. I'm still negotiating a price but probably going to aim around the £250 mark.

I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for and which could be my best option. I've a few pics I can upload to show general condition.

Many thanks, Drew.

[Drewsky]

Pics:-

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093035_zpsldghav3t-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093035_zpsldghav3t.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093036_zpswwmsqvda-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093036_zpswwmsqvda.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093037_zpskx0tweyd-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093037_zpskx0tweyd.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093039_zpsjmo94crb-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093039_zpsjmo94crb.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093043_zpsbkptqroz-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093043_zpsbkptqroz.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093040_zps2w0qczxy-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093040_zps2w0qczxy.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby.jpg.html)

[Drewsky]

Pics:-

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093035_zpsldghav3t-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093035_zpsldghav3t.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093036_zpswwmsqvda-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093036_zpswwmsqvda.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093037_zpskx0tweyd-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093037_zpskx0tweyd.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093039_zpsjmo94crb-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093039_zpsjmo94crb.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093043_zpsbkptqroz-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093043_zpsbkptqroz.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093040_zps2w0qczxy-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093040_zps2w0qczxy.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby.jpg.html)

[Snowtigger]

Look at the YouTube vids on buying a mk1, take off any side triangles and skirts to check the sills aren't rusty and the rears are solid, inside both front wings at the rear against the bulkhead is a well known leaf trap that once full gets some nice rusty leaf mulch going and rots away wings and bulkheads, inside both doors surrounds look for any rust near hinges at the front and near the interior light switch at the bottom there is a vent near there that has two Phillip screws you can take off and look inside with a torch and see if it's rusty, check the front chassis horns at the fronts normally rot through and the rad support bar, rust is the biggest killer of mk1 that and leaving them on grass and not using them.

[adamstanford]

All 3 options are doable its up to you isnt it. Personally 250 would be a great buy!

[Drewsky]

Thanks for the tips about the vulnerable parts to look at...if they're OK, I think I may give it a whirl - I'll have a go at getting it through an MOT without spending too much and see if it grows on me.
Anything to be weary of mechanically wise after it standing for so long? Are the brake calipers likely to be seized for eg?

oooh...pics:-
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093035_zpsldghav3t-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093035_zpsldghav3t.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093036_zpswwmsqvda-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093036_zpswwmsqvda.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093037_zpskx0tweyd-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093037_zpskx0tweyd.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093038_zpsnebnir2n.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093039_zpsjmo94crb-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093039_zpsjmo94crb.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093040_zps2w0qczxy-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093040_zps2w0qczxy.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093041_zpsxvwl3iby.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093042_zpsubk80pf8.jpg.html)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4093043_zpsbkptqroz-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/P4093043_zpsbkptqroz.jpg.html)

[adamstanford]

Dont look that bad. Does it start and run?

[Drewsky]

Sorry for all the pics people, they wouldn't load at first...so I tried again...and again!

Yes...it runs! The person that my mate bought it from had never even used the car....she hadn't even passed her driving test, she just liked the look of the car.

My lock-up is full of bikes at the moment so I'm going to see if I can talk my old man into letting me use his garage.....it's a bit small but with the Summer on its way, I can push the car in and out while working on it. The plan is to try and get it through an MOT and take it from there. When I was gazumped on this car years ago, it left a very bitter taste in my mouth and didn't sit well at all - this is my chance to put that right and get this little girl back into use.

[tommundy]

Hi Drew,

The pictures hadn't shown as they'd just gone into moderation, as you're not a paid member and didn't have a high post count.

Welcome to the forums! Looks like a great project!

Cheers,
Tom

[Drewsky]

I'm going back today to see if the skirts will come off readily so I can examine the sills as above.
A couple of questions, (no doubts lots to follow!),

1; Am I likely to be able to get the colour back into the plastic body parts by polishing? It's a shame about the laquer peeling on the rest of the body, it looks like it would have "T-cutted" quite well. Did the laquer stay on cars that had been kept polished? Or did it peel on all cars?

2;Is it possible to re-finish the wheels as original? (I will be looking to restore the car as original as possible).

3; Am I likley to have any problems with the brakes seizing after being stood for so long?

Thanks for the help and info, I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into this car and using it, a T-Bar would have been nice...but not crucial. Roughly how many MK1s are still in service in the UK?

[Drewsky]

Hi Drew,

The pictures hadn't shown as they'd just gone into moderation, as you're not a paid member and didn't have a high post count.

Welcome to the forums! Looks like a great project!

Cheers,
Tom

Cheers Tom, as soon as I have possesion, I'll look into the subs. If you're able, feel free to delete extra pics/posts.

[Snowtigger]

Brakes will probably need freeing of all round especially if the handbrake has been left on cables can seize and may need oiling, I would strip the lacquer of all were its peeling and use an orbital sander with a foam pad and G3 cutting paste on a slow speed to buff the paint up then get it uv clear coated after. The wheels should just be taken to a wheel shop were they will blast them and refinished to original.

Have a look at the website "how many left" and it will show about 3thousand mk1 last I looked, 5 years ago it was 6 thou so most the bad rusty arched ones or blown engines have gone so prices are only going up, I bought a 5th gear poping two wings missing dent in the rear and two cracked sills with missing drivers seat etc for £900 so £250 is a bargain even if you have to brake it up for parts easy to get the £250 back

[BIGBOYZJUNK]

Enjoy the work ahead! Its well worth it when finished!

[Drewsky]

How come some paint has faded and elsewhere the laquer has peeled? Were the parts painted differently or has this car been resprayed at some time?

[Drewsky]

Just been back and removed the skirts this time to get a better look at the body. It actually doesn't look too bad so far. The front lower parts of both rear wings have gone but it all seems solid behind. There are two spots on the rim for the rear boot and a couple of minor rust spots...bt the floor looks good as do both sills. Like a plonker, I forgot to take m y notes with me and there were a couple of places I was advised to look at that I couldn't remember. The bar for the rad looked rusty but solid, (I presume this is the part that the rad sits on?), and both front wheel arches are solid but were stuffed with leafs and twigs.
Anyway, more pics here, (hope the slideshow works OK), 'would love to hear your opinions,
Many thanks, Drew.
http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/slideshow/Toyota%20MR2%20MK1

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/P4113046_zpsquruiccs-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Toyota%20MR2%20MK1/P4113046_zpsquruiccs.jpg.html)

[Drewsky]

The rear wings are fairly small, I presume it's better to replace them rather than for someone to knock up a plate to weld in?

Ah.....just found these:-

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/mr220quarter20panel_zpsmwj3juzg-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/mr2%20quarter%20panel_zpsmwj3juzg.jpg.html)

[Drewsky]

I was working in the yard where the car is today and grabbed a couple of snaps of the top of the windscreen frame which is one of my biggest concerns body-wise. I'm not sure if the roof rusts far enough to tell the condition without removing the screen?

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/IMG2015042400026_zpsgboveh1e-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Toyota%20MR2%20MK1/IMG-20150424-00026_zpsgboveh1e.jpg.html)

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/IMG2015042400025_zps3cppcmte-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Toyota%20MR2%20MK1/IMG-20150424-00025_zps3cppcmte.jpg.html)

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/IMG2015042400024_zpstadvv48w-1.jpg (http://s77.photobucket.com/user/Drewskovitch/media/Toyota%20MR2%20MK1/IMG-20150424-00024_zpstadvv48w.jpg.html)

[BIGBOYZJUNK]

Mine was like that. When I took the screen out there was rot along the edge that the glass bonds to. I had to keep welding and grinding it back to get it solid again.

[Boba Fett]

Mine wasn't great either, best in the long run to get the windscreen out and get it done.

[BIGBOYZJUNK]

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/C1AAD569648C4267BE6DACB2B1AB37E7_zpstjra-1.jpg (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/BIGBOYZJUNK/media/MR2%20Forum/C1AAD569-648C-4267-BE6D-ACB2B1AB37E7_zpstjram26l.jpg.html)

[Drewsky]

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2015/04/C1AAD569648C4267BE6DACB2B1AB37E7_zpstjra-1.jpg (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/BIGBOYZJUNK/media/MR2%20Forum/C1AAD569-648C-4267-BE6D-ACB2B1AB37E7_zpstjram26l.jpg.html)

Compared to other photos I've seen, this doesn't look too bad.

[Drewsky]

How about the sunroof? Same story?

[BIGBOYZJUNK]

No issues with my sunroof mate!

[Drewsky]

So........I've still got this car but I've had to face reality that there's no way I'm going to be able to restore it. My brother died last year and I've been restoring his old 1975 Suzuki GT750. Fixing that up as made me realise that working on the MR2 in a garage this size is next to impossible. If anyone is interested in the whole deal, please get in touch. I'd prefer to see it go to an enthusiast as a going concern but if that's not going to work, I'll have to break it up I'm afraid. At the moment, it's still at my mates place in Cambridge but he's just sold his house so it needs to go within the next month.

[cchrysos]

Im very sorry to hear about your brother.

Good luck with the sale.

Chrys

[Drewsky]

Im very sorry to hear about your brother.

Good luck with the sale.

Chrys


Thanks Chrys, very kind of you. He was only 58, had a heart attack while working in China leaving behind three lovely daughters and 2 new grandchildren. All very sad.

If I do break it, I'll offer parts on here before putting them on eBay.

[Drewsky]

Warny1; your inbox is full.

[cchrysos]

That is very sad. I feel for you and your family. I found myself in a very similar position just over two years ago unfortunately. It doesn't get any easier does it. Its often a wise move to rid yourself of the stresses you dont need for a while...like cars that need restoring!

[Boba Fett]

Hi Drew

My apologies as well, pity you haven't got the space to sort it properly.

If you do decide to break it, I am only down the road from you, in fact I work in Cambridge, so would be interested in any bits you want to sell off.

All the best
Jon

[Drewsky]

Thanks again for your posts.

I will keep you all updated and if anyone would like to see the car in the flesh, I'll be around Cambridge all week this week from Sunday but not the following week.

Cheers, Drew.

[Drewsky]

'Formulated a plan B......I'm going to shoehorn the car into my lock-up until after Xmas. In the mean time, I'm going to look for a powered garage to rent. Anyone have any recomendations for a car hauler in Cambs? It only needs to be moved about 3 miles.