1985 Toyota MR2 Coupe

[petercscherer]

I thought'd I'd share my "other" Jap car that I've been working on and driving daily. This is a 1985 Toyota MR2 Coupe, 88k miles, and was always well cared for and maintained in New Mexico. 

 

The car sold new in Albuquerque, and was the very first MR2 sold at that dealership. This car is one of only 2,500 manufactured in 1984 for early release on launch date in 1985. It's had one repaint in a metallic blue that's a shade darker and bluer than the factory color. All original interior, wheels, engine, etc... Not bad for a cheap beater-driver, but I couldn't leave it alone...
 

A set of Enkei RPF1 rims with some Dunlop Direzza tires massively updated the look of the car! Still hadn't polished the paint or really detailed the car at this point earlier this summer. Really fun car to drive, and being mid-engined is a totally new experience for me. I love it!

 

 

Momo Monte Carlo steering wheel replaced the sun-damaged original piece. Very high quality and fits the look of the interior!

 

It's at this point that I took the car on a 4,000 mile road trip around the Southwestern US, here's a few pics from that trip:

 

You can read all about it here, on my blog: https://theycallmemr2.wordpress.com/

 

I opted to install a spoiler on the rear, settled on a R34 GTT Skyline JDM-only spoiler, painted flat black just to see how it looks:

 

Later, I wrapped the spoiler in some vinyl Carbon Fiber Wrap:

 

Fabricated a complete 2.5" exhaust system, wound up being a tad too loud so I added a 2nd resonator just before the tip and that fixed the droning issue. It's got a nice burble to it, but not fart-canny or to rappy. I may be building a new system this winter, I would love a center-exit exhaust!

 

Pulled the car in the shop last month to make some changes. The factory windscreen had a huge crack in it from my road-trip, so I had Safelite come out and do a new install. 

 

I decided the roof needed to be a different color than the body, so I took this time to prep the surface and spray on some VW Black Magic Pearl Paint. Took some time and hell of a lot of effort, but I got it buffed out and I'm stoked!

 

 

So here's how it sits now:

 

 

Plans this winter include: 
Changing out the factory boxy seats for a set of NA Miata seats.

Custom Center Console

Different Rear Spoiler

Daiyama Coilover Suspension

General Detailing and Maintenance. 

 

Should be getting it in the shop here soon, so I'll post updates when I can.

~Peter

[bajango]

That looks really awesome! I've always liked the first generation MR2s. Keep up the good work. Do you plan on doing a 20v swap?

[petercscherer]

That looks really awesome! I've always liked the first generation MR2s. Keep up the good work. Do you plan on doing a 20v swap?

Nah, I might build a cammed 4age N/A, but I'm not a big fan of engine swaps, opens up a can of worms. The car's plenty fast as is. :)

[Outdoor_funguy]

"Wow! That looks awesome! I like your idea! I'll consider doing my own vinyl wrap project as well but will probably seek some professional help from Gatowraps and Gatorprints

[datsunfreak]

I like this. :thumbup:

 

My SW20 MR2 was one of the funnest cars I've ever owned. Always on the lookout for an AW11, though...  B)

[hitch]

I love it!   I went with my friend when they 1st hit the showroom, he plunked down a deposit and waited two months as there was a waiting list.  Many dealers had a big premium and tons of add on crap to get the price higher.  He drove the crap out of it for over 10 years and very little maintenance.

Here is my 2nd gen.  http://community.ratsun.net/topic/64678-added-an-mr2-to-my-list/   It just hit 42800 miles a couple days ago.

[petercscherer]

Made a few decisions, I decided to go with 240Z seats rather than Miata, cheaper, better padding, and I already have an extra set in the shop. I'm going to be redoing all the carpeting, and going to replace the carpeting on the tunnel with Diamond-Pleat like on the 240Z. Here's the look I'm going for:

 

I miss my 240Z ever since I sold it, and this gives me the chance to do an homage to the 70's. :)

 

 

 

After all, the cockpit is where I spend the majority of my days when on a trip! Might as well make it fun and comfortable! :)

~Peter

[petercscherer]

Disassembly began today, got quite a bit done, as chronicled below:

 

 

Out with the old velour 80's boxy seats...

 

Grey Fiber-board headliner will be replaced as well. You'll see the new plan tomorrow.

 

Both seats removed as well as the center console. Here you can see the problem with center console options, they all need to have clearance for the shift cables running to the rear transaxle. 

 

Mocking the 1990 Mazda Miata seats in place. Turns out that 240Z seats are too wide on the bottom, and this car has a pretty narrow space for seats without interfering with the door panels or center console. So these will get new foam and re-upholstered, hopefully in the Ferrari Daytona style.

 

Both seats bolted in, only had to drill new holes, and situated them appropriately. Since I'm short, and prefer a slanted seating position, the Driver's seat is very ideal for both preferences, I can also adjust and tweak the seat mounts once the new foam and upholstery is done, since that may change how they feel.

 

Headliner pulled, no insulation up here at all, and now having a Black roof, I know I'm gonna need it; so I'll be installing that tomorrow!

 

The old parts will be stored until I can find a buyer or I might recover them and use them in a future project!

 

Tomorrow I'll be laying out my new parts and supplies, and I'll be starting at the top and working my way downwards. Plans are for LED overhead interior lights, Black Diamond Pleat headliner, and DynaMat insulation everywhere!

~Peter

[petercscherer]

Update:

Installed a single layer of DynaMat Xtreme insulation to the roof:

 

Then installed the Diamond-Pleat Vinyl headliner. I was able to source the material through a shop on Etsy and I'll be using this pattern on the door panels and a larger pattern on the rear bulkhead. 

 

 

 

I still am working on the sunvisors, they should be installed tomorrow...

 

 

Here's the rear bulkhead fully insulated now. It had these deep "Ribs" vertically in it, that made any upholstery over it look wavy, so I used extra Noico insulation to fill in the ribs and make it more smooth. Larger Diamond-Pleat Vinyl will be installed over it tomorrow.

 

 

Tomorrow I'll be finishing up the Rear Bulhead, installing the new Black Deep Pile carpeting, and probably working on the LED light installation. Didn't plan on this moving so fast, might end up working on the new exhaust next week at this rate!

~Peter

[datsunfreak]

Love that headliner!  :thumbup:

 

Recently got some of this for my 1200 sedan project. I am planning to use it on the door panels at least, and if I do a rear seat delete I'll use it to cover some panels for that.

 

Now I want to use it on the headliner too...    ^_^

 

[petercscherer]

Interior is all wrapped up!

It was a bit tricky, but I was able in incorporate the diamond pleating into the new door panels as well:

 

Seatbelts and Center Console fully installed:

 

Here's the completed seats all bolted in and ready to go!

 

The insert material is called "Wave", and this shade is "Freestyle", its a two-toned vinyl that is intended for Marine applications, so it'll hold up to all weather and is water-resistant too! 

 

So there you have it! One completely new interior that really wasn't necessary, but has really transformed the car. 

 

Now it's back on the hoist for some exhaust fine-tuning and I may even start on the Coilover conversion this week.

Thanks for checking in!

~Peter

[paradime]

I just got a manual steering rack out of an 85, MR2 for a conversion I'm doing on my 510. As nice as your car is, I'm starting to feel a little guilty.  :blush:  It went to a good cause though, I assure you.

 

In the autocross club I was in in San Diego we used to call the MR2 the Mitty Mouse. It was the only thing keeping up with the Austin Minis. 

[petercscherer]

Don't feel bad about cannibalization, they made thousands of these things; anways, sounds like it'll be doing more use to you than sitting on a junked car awaiting it's fateful day with the crusher. :)

 

~Peter

[paradime]

The spongy steering box is the weakest link on the 510 and really dates the driving feel. 

 

Hey, what adhesive did you use for the pleated material? 

[petercscherer]

 

 

Hey, what adhesive did you use for the pleated material? 

 

I used Permatex HD Spray Adhesive, here's an Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-27828-Headliner-Adhesive-Aerosol/dp/B000HBNU9K

 

It's tough finding an adhesive meant for heavier materials and also one that won't eat into the foam backing. This stuff here is meant specifically for that purpose. The fumes will probably shorten your lifespan though, so wear a respirator. :/

 

I have no idea how well the headliner will hold to the roof until I get to July and we hit our first 100+ degree day...

 

~Peter

[paradime]

Thanks man. I tried using a 3M spray adhesive on my headliner that fell apart in 6 months. total garbage. 

 

Respirator? Hell no, I'm getting my money's worth.  :blink:

[bonvo]

dude bad ass i love the first gen mr2s if you want to sell the factory seats let me know my 610 is already set up for them and they match the color scheme the car will have 

[petercscherer]

Car is getting some much needed upgrades in the shop. I'll post pics as the project commences. Needless to say, my Rambler is taking back seat to this car at the moment. I have lots of money in parts that need to get installed rather than sit in the closet... 

 

~Peter

[KELMO]

This thing is so badass.  I can't believe I missed this thread.  Seen a red one at church last week.

[petercscherer]

Alright, here's what going to happen: We're going to be installing a set of custom Daiyama Coilovers. These are one-off parts that a bunch of us MR2 guys commissioned and had made specially to fit these cars. They're set up to be fully adjustable from super stiff, to factory comfort. I'll also be lowering the car by at least 40mm in the process, and since this is not my daily driver and doesn't really need to have ground clearance, I might go even lower!

 

 

 

 

Oh, and also the wheels are potentially getting painted Bronze instead of the factory Silver. I'll wait on that until after the coilovers are done. So all together, some pretty epic mods that should take this car one step closer to the next level! 

~Peter