1983 Toyota Tercel 4WD SR5 : Life in Pictures / Lost & Found: RESTORATION DOCUMENTED!

[bryanthompson]

The Tercel always inspires me. Drew inspiration for the Abarth's blue plaid / light & airy palette from my family's '83 wagon...

This Abarth started life as a grey car with a black interior. I used all the ivory components from the donor Fiat, had the seats retrimmed, and the car disassembled and painted baby blue.

I'll use a similar process with the Tercel, restoring it to new OEM condition.

[bryanthompson]

Hey folks. The little blue car project going on over in this linked thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11672has rekindled my interest in finding photos from my childhood Tercel. I found this photo, taken about 1986, after the car had been a week or so "in surgery" at the autobody "hospital" (as my 12 year old self referred to it).

photo.JPG

What an incredible opening they made. I remember, when I pulled the car from the ravine in Idaho, and got it back to San Diego, I was delighted to pull back the carpet and see its "scar." It's a part of the car's history now.

It's day will come for a complete restoration. Some day...

[bryanthompson]

Merry Christmas, Tercel! You will be ultra stylish with your new condition (well, soon to be new, anyways) super rare, Japanese Market, Center Console with Folding Storage Armrest Cubby!

Update on restoration: The car is scheduled to arrive in Long Beach on January 4, and there we will begin its first full evaluation and tear down. Excited for the New Year!

BT

sswreckerjp-img600x450-145034171070klgg11908.jpg

sswreckerjp-img600x450-14503417091bhpaj11908.jpg

[rer233]

Bryan-
Looks like an A/T console- where's the cutout for the 4WD lever? Love the story, keep the resto pics comin'.

[irowiki]

Bryan-
Looks like an A/T console- where's the cutout for the 4WD lever? Love the story, keep the resto pics comin'.

In Japan they had push button 4WD on the manuals too!

[bryanthompson]

Bryan-
Looks like an A/T console- where's the cutout for the 4WD lever? Love the story, keep the resto pics comin'.

Thank you! Yes, you're correct. I'll only use the rear portion with the arm rest, and I'll probably need to tune the color to match the lighter grey used for 83-84 interiors.

If anyone wants the front half, it will be up for grabs, no problem.

[dlb]

BT, i dare say your mom looks like a stunner in that last pic. did you have problems growing up with your teenage pals coming over to drool over her? that probably would have been me.

[ARCHINSTL]

BT, i dare say your mom looks like a stunner in that last pic. did you have problems growing up with your teenage pals coming over to drool over her? that probably would have been me.

HA! Exactly what I told Bryan!
Tom M.

[bryanthompson]

BT, i dare say your mom looks like a stunner in that last pic. did you have problems growing up with your teenage pals coming over to drool over her? that probably would have been me.

HA! Exactly what I told Bryan!
Tom M.

Haha thanks, you two! She's actually my step mom. Although, if I do say so myself, my birth mom was really a magnetic and beautiful talent, may she rest in peace...

FullSizeRender-1.jpg

[ARCHINSTL]

Certainly agreed, Bryan.
Judging from the article, she (and your Dad) must have been from "my era."
Tom M.

[bryanthompson]

I was lucky to have had her while I did.

In more Tercel-related news, check these out:

I'm not sure how rare they are, but I'm pretty excited about them. They're vintage tinted rear side glass inserts that I have coming from Japan.

The Sprinter Carib logos will be a nice little nod to the car's domestic market brethren.

image.jpeg

[dlb]

i recently saw the same window inserts on the 4wd corolla forum. someone suggested they're to protect the side windows in the cargo area when carrying a bunch of stuff? whatever, they look rad.

[Mattel]

Some great stuff their Bryan. Tinted window inserts don't hurt over summer!

[bryanthompson]

Update: Tercel is scheduled (fingers crossed) to be picked up for shipping Thursday. This photo is from the accident it had in 1986. I was sad.

P1050709.JPG

[Mattel]

ouch! hope you weren't inside it at the time!