Back from the shop

Got the car back from the shop to have a few things checked out. A/C was in-op but a simple recharge of R-12 (the good stuff) and it works just fine.

Engine had a bit of a lag and hesitation on warm up. Found out all the factory-set adjustments had been messed with and set screws ground off but once everything was set back to factory specs, it ran great. Much faster than when I bought the car!


Brakes were all new but someone didn't install them right. Rear pad was crooked and only 1/3 was touching so put new pads and rotors on all 4 wheels. Helps if the pad is really hitting the rotor. Car sure stops alot better than it did.









Got nice new Mountain rotors from Japan, hard to come by some of the parts for this car given its age now.

July 11, Back from the Spa

Car came back from the detailer, about 15 lbs lighter from all the dirt wedged in all the corners.

Broken tail light I found THE last one from the Toyota dealer. They found only one NOS in the US and it was the one I needed.








Cleaned up nice. Needed new plugs and air filter and such. Also needs new drivers door hinges as the door is sagging.











My friend asked me why I bought a Gremlin? Well kinda looks like one but sure doesn't drive like one!











Removed the rear tail light, and revealed 22 years of dust and debris. A little rust was peaking through which I detest! Whole car will be repainted to make sure there is NO rust anywhere.









Passenger door window and mirror didn't work. Took the panel off and found the mirror and window disconnected and the plastic shield wadded up inside the door. Sprayed off about 1.2 lbs of dust and chunks and the window and mirror works great.

July 6th, car arrived

Bone stock 1988 Corolla FX16 GTS












In for its complete detail inside and out.
Original paint, interior, wheels. Everything is just the way it was in 1988... along with some fading, wear and dirt.










Engine needs a serious cleaning but runs like a top. Leak oil around lots of the seals but goes right up to the redline with no hitch.











No holes in the seats or carpets, all stock and in good shape.













Even the drivers door panel is all there and perfect.











Has the stock radio!















Needs new stickers. No luck at the dealer, looks like I will have to have them made.












Drivers tail light is broken. Got a brand new stock Toyota tail light out of Baltimore. Good luck is one the way.

Day 1

This is where it all started.

Greenwood car show in Seattle, Saturday June 27th, 2010. Brought my 78 Corolla GT and my 79 Corona to the car show and met lots of great people.

Chris, another show participant with his electric truck started talking to me about my Toyotas and mentioned that he and his wife had a Corolla hatchback they were thinking of selling. A Corolla FX16 GTS hatchback to be exact. I was interested, very interested. 2 days later his wife called me, said that they were thinking of selling the car but she was very attached to the car. I assured her that the car was going to be in great hands and that she could follow along on the blog to see how the car was going to be brought back to it original glory.

I went to Whidbey island, drove the car and purchased it.

Here is the story from when I got the car on July 5th.