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Post by airfireman1 on Sept 29, 2006 5:14:54 GMT
Hi I am just curios to find out how popular these models were over there as I live in Australia. There were quite a few imported for the domestic market but they were all the base model LT version. I have noticed that there are a lot of ST models there and a few GT ones.
Were the GTs imported and the St the main sales? and how hard is it to locate second hand parts?. Our best option for spares and GT stuff seems to be the USA market.
Twin cam motors are quite easily obtainable here as we have quite a good jap motor import scene.
cheers
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Post by alfazer on Sept 29, 2006 19:36:23 GMT
Hi
The RA28 celica was quite uncommon in the UK.
The LT model didn't appear at all but was available in some other european countries.
Most of the RA28's were 2000STs with the 18R engine. The 2000GTs were pretty rare and had 18RG engine and LSD. The GT was a special order.
USA GTs were 2189cc 20R. Not as sporty as the 18RG twincam. I'm not sure if USA ever got the 18RG at all?
I don't know how many RA28s, ST or GT were brought to UK but they were only sold here for about 18months.
Anyone know UK import figures for RA28?
AL
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Post by airfireman1 on Sept 30, 2006 5:45:19 GMT
I thought that may be the case we only had the RA28 for one year but they were very popular. have many been modified?
It seems to be the norm over here, it is very hard to find one in original condition.
I have noticed also that rust seems to be the main problem,is that because of the salt used in wintertime over there?
Our dryer climate is a little kinder to our cars.
cheers
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dabeca
Highschool Graduate
Posts: 25
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Post by dabeca on Oct 1, 2006 15:58:17 GMT
it is definately the rust that kills off all of our RA28's. The ones that are still around tend to be well maintained standard cars with only minor confort mods, eg 18RG upgrade brake upgrade etc. My RA28 is modified, it was a ST but has gained an 18RG LSD rear axle lowered and stiffened at the back, widened front and rear arches, full roll cage, bucket seats, Fibre glass doors and boot lid (if anyone wants some fibre glass doors or boot lid i should be making up some more this winter for some friends here in the U.K)and various other odds and sods. I will stop boring you now and leave you with a picture from Donnington Race Track this weekend throwing the car around   |
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Post by airfireman1 on Oct 3, 2006 4:42:02 GMT
Great picture. Now you have told me about your modifications, I need to know more. The normal brake upgrade here is either rt132 corona struts and twin pot calipers or rt132 struts with hilux 4 pot calipers with pugeot 506 rotors. rear end are normaly changed to hilux diffs and housing allowing providing a larger diff with lsd.
Many engine conversions are the norm with supra motors being the most common.
My RA28 is very stock but I have been collecting all the GT parts over time to upgrade it, 18rg also 18rgu, rt132 corona struts and brakes,Gt grill and rear badges.Many parts are very hard to obtain now so it is a matter of trawlling thru ebay.
Cheers
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dabeca
Highschool Graduate
Posts: 25
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Post by dabeca on Oct 3, 2006 21:59:06 GMT
My car uses the rt132 corona struts and twin pot calipers set up. Seems to work pretty well. I have seen people use the supra front suspension or the ae86 parts. As for the rear diff the original setup is pretty good i have heard about the hilux diff but never seen it used, have seen the ae86 axle used and the celica supra 2.8i axle used. Engine conversions are the same as you guys, supra, couple rover v8s etc. I guess your car isn't rotten beginning in western aus what colour, post a pic.
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Post by airfireman1 on Oct 4, 2006 1:17:17 GMT
Hi seems like most mods are similar between countries There are a couple here with 308 cubic inch V8s but they are few and far between.Most common are turbo supra motors. I have tried to upload some pics but had no luck, I am not that computer literate. My RA28 has minimal rust, mainly in the lower doors and hatch, very common, other than that it is rust free and very original.I dont know if this will work but I will give it a go. I live on a semi rural property and have plenty of room for my cars an a large workshop working on my cars is easy,also being a mechanic by trade helps. img138.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img138/2324/1152945751abc.smil |
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Post by ifc63 on Oct 4, 2006 9:44:25 GMT
The link worked well. Nice car, nice pictures.
I'll be thinking about you working in your workshop on you semi-rural property in sunny Australia whilst I'm working underneath my cars on a cold English winters day on the drive outside ;D ;D
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Post by airfireman1 on Oct 4, 2006 11:52:17 GMT
I know I have it good here, my sister lives in Sheffield and continually tells me about the weather. Thanks for the great comments. Considering these cars are in the 30 year category, there are so many great examples here,probably the most left in one country. I will post up more pictures as I slowly get it up to showroom condition including all those GT bits that we missed out on. i have several motors in the shed 18RGU,18R and a few spare 5 speeds and 2 complete RA28 donor cars. (had 3 at one stage) Both picked up for less than $400 aus, they were very rusty but interior and drive lines were good.Some parts are still readily available and 18rg gaskets, extractors are still made. The biggest problem is all the timing chain gear as Toyota do not make it any more. How difficult is it to get parts in the UK?. It seems like there are not that many first gens left there. Do you guys follow the Australian site www.toymods.net/forums/there are so many nice Toyota's here. Including mine.I think we have an extremely large following here. cheers |
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Post by alfazer on Oct 4, 2006 20:30:01 GMT
That's a nice RA28 you got there, looks very original. Looks like UK type but door cards slightly different and we didn't get that type of moulding strip up the side.
Most new panels, I believe, are not available here anymore or are really hard to get hold of. I bought a RA28 boot lid, front wings and front valence about 10 years ago from a Toyota dealer and even then had to wait 6weeks. Apparently the lid came from Japan and the wings from Belgium! I don't this any steel pattern parts were made except rear arches and sills.
You guys down there seem to have plenty of old jap stuff. My mate in NewZealand knows people with RA28s, and even a Mazda RX4. I've only ever seen one of those here in N.Ireland, ever! Really rare.
(Stick that 18RG in your hand luggage for me next time you visit your sister!)
Good luck
AL
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Post by airfireman1 on Oct 6, 2006 3:16:21 GMT
We certainly do have a large contingent af jap cars and imports. These are starting to get expensive for good quality older ones.
The most wanted are the RA25 lift backs and the Ra28. I really like the tail lights on the 25 but they are very scarce. and sell for hundreds of dollars. what are the quality of the fibreglass flares and other panels like? I have seen them advertised on ebay Uk and wondered.
If you guys ever come accross an RA28 GT rear badge could you please let me know as I am desperate to find one. i may be able to return the favour with something from OZ.
cheers
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