1976 Japanese Supra advice (right hand steering)

[Air Al]

Hey guys, my wife just had me tow her 1976 Supra to our house from storage. This car was purchased by her in Japan and brought to the states. I'm not a car expert, but would like to find out if it's restorable. It hasn't been started in about 8 or 10 years, so it would need a bunch of stuff done mechanically (oil change, engine flush?, gas tank cleaning, new filters, starter?, battery, plugs, etc.). Rocker panels are pretty rusty, driver's side (right side) rocker isabout gone, but not bad body otherwise. The 1976 is a pretty cool body style I think. I'll post a picture soon.

[TTercel]

Do a full tune up, change the gas maybe even the gas tank, pull the oil pan clean it out refill oil, do a rad flush, and basically change all of the other fluids. There is prob more I missed the Celica/Supra guys will tell ya.

What I did say above is just to get it started and not rolling or driving yet...

[Air Al]

Thanks TTercel. I hear you on the "just to get it started" part. The body is more of an unknown to me. I've attached some pictures though I know you can only tell so much from photos. The doors & hatch close solidly. I'm actually not sure where the hood release is.

http://ns19.webmasters.com/*aircomp....p/100_0297.jpg
http://ns19.webmasters.com/*aircomp....p/100_0298.jpg

[stepho]

TTercel pretty much covered it for starting it up.
Toyota engine have no particular vices, so nothing particular to add.

From the pictures, it looks like a customised RA35 Celica liftback, which is roughly equivalent to the US spec '77 RA29 Celica liftback.
Tell us everything on the build plate on the firewall in the engine bay.

The air vents have been deleted from the C pillar (just behind the side windows).
A rear air dam has been added to the boot (trunk) but it looks like the centre piece is missing.
Pin striping has been added.
Ugly late model mirrors have been added from some horrid thing in late 1980's.

Supra's came with 6 cylinder engines.
Toyota never made a 6 cylinder in that body style.
What engine does it have?
Hopefully it has the strong and powerful 18R-GU (assuming it is a GT).
If the engine has died then at least it will be easy to swap for a 22R.

Body repairs will be hard.
It shares most body panels with the US spec RA29 '77 Celica liftback but wrecking yards no longer keep the RA29.
From body panels (fenders, doors, hood) are also common to the '76-77 RA24 coupe.
Choices are hope to find a wreck (craigslist.com) or have a panel beating shop make new ones ($$$).

My '77 liftback is also RHD.
So I can tell you that the hood release is under the dash next to the drivers door.

- Stepho

[Air Al]

Stepho, Thanks a ton for your input. I'll check that build plate once I use your advice to open the hood ;-) I didn't realize the mirrors weren't original. The center piece for the rear air dam is in the car, needs reattached and touch up work. Thx, Al

[stepho]

A little more reading for you...
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/celprod.htm
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/history.htm
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/mick.htm

- Wayne

[Air Al]

Thanks Wayne. I'll get on the reading. FYI, I can't find the hood release. I'm wondering if it's missing. I looked all over on the Driver's side and can't find it. Can't help feeling like an idiot over that one. Oh, and my wife said the engine is not original :-( I'm guessing that's a resale negative. I won't know what's in it until I can find the freakin' release though. lol. ~Al