I haven't visited this site in a LONG time, perhaps over 8 years, but for some reason I logged on at lunch today and what do I find but my old car!!!
What a cool feeling to see these photos! I thought I'd share the story in case anyone knows the current whereabouts of the car, which I'm curious to know.
It took me around two years of daily searching to find this one, and I purchased from the original owner in the summer of 2001 for $2,000. I started my search while living in California, and continued it after moving to Cincinnati. Back then, there were still some clean original cars around, but I never found anything clean enough in California, believe it or not. I came close a few times, but this car ended up being located just outside of Atlanta and was a completely original 1985 spec model.
The goal of my build was to put it together as respectfully as possible, if that makes any sense, with the hope that someone like Dave Scholz or Antonio Alvendia would nod in appreciation. Spending a little time in Japan helped, as I was able to obtain a few of the harder-to-find parts as I carefully restored the car. I obtained the dash and door panels from a guy in Canada, and I always thought they were in such nice shape due to the climate and lack of intense sun that's found in the salt-free areas of the US.
The Recaro seats are insanely rare and the brackets were custom made in Japan. They sit at the proper height, which always made me happy as many do not. One of the best upgrades was actually the brake booster brace. I'm not sure whatever happened to BattleVersion, but those parts were very well made and fit perfect. The shifter also received one particular OEM bushing that improved the feel dramatically. I think I found those part numbers in a Hot Version video that featured Hiroshi Takahashi of RUNNING FREE installing them in his own car.
Long story short, I graduated from college and life had to move on. I sold the car in June 2004 to a younger guy from the Cleveland/Medina area by the name of Nick, I believe. I think he had the username "Method" followed by some numbers. The car sold for $6,500, and I threw in the sideskirts (uninstalled at the time) which were a real challenge to find in Japan. For me, the highlight was when the Kouki bumper part numbers somehow became available online, and I was able to buy from a dealer for what seemed like peanuts compared to what this guy Fernando(?) was selling them for at the time.
I'm 35 now and still own my first car, a 1992 Volkswagen Corrado (100% stock) and also a 1995.5 Audi URS6 Avant (1 of 191 imported). Those cars are great, but don't come close to matching the balance of the AE86, which really is something special.
Below are the complete specs of the car under my ownership, along with associated costs. Some might find the information useful. Finally, I agree with the comments about the rear trim being cut for the tie bar. I dunno what I was thinking- perhaps I had seen it done like that and wasn't aware of any other way to install at the time. Regardless, it was extremely satisfying to restore and modify the car on my own. These cars are very easy to work on.
As for the state of the car in the recent photos, it couldn't make me happier to know that it was well cared for- the upgrades like the front bumper spoiler and exhaust are spot on. I might have gone for redline tail lights, but even back then they were rare and expensive.
To the original poster- thanks for sharing the photos and allowing me to take a trip down memory lane!
VIN# JT2AE88CXF0094439
BattleVersion Adjustable Lateral Rod $175
BattleVersion Stainless Steel Brake Lines $145
BattleVersion Stainless Steel Clutch Line (Not installed)
BattleVersion Short Shifter Kit $80
BattleVersion Traction Brackets $200
BattleVersion Roll Center Adjusters $100
BattleVersion Camber Plate $250
Cusco Front Strut Tower Bar $175
Cusco Rear Strut Tower Bar $175
JSPEC Brake Booster Brace $40
JSPEC Side Mount License Plate Holder $40
TRD Japan 5.6Kg Rear Springs $180
TRD Japan Bushing Kit $275
TRD Japan Tall Shift Knob $80
Garage SAFT tow hooks
Ground Control Front Coilover 7.2 Kg $200
Tokico HTS W/Custom Shortened Strut Case $600/175
Mark SlideSquad SPL 20mm Strut Spacer $40
RS86 Spin Turn Knob $20
86+ MY Velour Door Panels $150
86+ MY Rear Seats + Panels $150
New Black Dash W/Potective Cover $150/$50
New OEM Rear Wing $50
Kouki Front Bumper $139.50
Kouki Rear Bumper $183.82
Kouki Front Grille $28.05
Kouki Front Bumper Brackets $47.59R/$47.59L
Kouki Front Bumper Lamp Assy. $57.64R/$66.46L
Kouki Rear Bumper Bracket $34.98R/#34.98L
Kouki Front Emblem $19.25
Kouki Mudflaps $105.58
MY 86+ Tail Lights + Center Garnish $120
Powdercoated Gunmetal Supra Wheels $425
Yokohama AVS-ES100 185/60-14 $300
Japan-only HKS Windmaster Exhaust $300
3T Test Pipe (Not Installed) $60
USDM Window Rain Visor
Cibie H4 Headlight Housings $125
HKS Air Filter W/Allow Pipe + Silicone Hose $160
Kicker Front Speakers $60
Infinity Rear Spekars $90
87 MY Double-DIN Radio $50
Nardi Classic Steering Wheel $160
Nardi Long Hub $100
JDM Zero Hub Extension $60
1989 German-made Recaro LSD Black/Grey Monza Pattern (N.O.S.) W/Papers, Sticker $650
EBISU POWER Recaro Brackets/Sliders x2 (JPY 67,500 = $572)
Sabelt 3-Point Harness (x2) $250
OEM Rotors $200
OEM Pads $100
SR5 Manual Mirrors (No Shake) $30
total parts $7,488
That is pretty clean. 9/10!
