It’s early Spring time 2019 and just another day with AE86 WORLD. Among the countless emails and social media messages, I get a pop up from a new AE86 Trueno owner called Phil Jones. Phil had a simple request, he wanted to find some Parts to swap the Trueno front end to a Corolla Levin front and make it look a bit cooler. At AE86 WORLD of course that’s something we can help with. After chatting to Phil some more it was clear he had an idea for the car. Fast forward an hour of talking later he revealed he actually had a dream to build one of the best and unique AE86’s around, and asked me would I help him make that happen? He didn’t have to ask me twice!
FIRST ENCOUNTER
Phil is a Transport Driver by Trade, running his own business which takes him all over the UK and Ireland. A few weeks later Phil was doing a job in Ireland and we decided to meet up in person for a proper chat about the AE86 Project. Sitting in a Cafe talking about Corollas over several Coffees it was clear to see just how serious Phil was about trying to build one of the Best AE86’s. He had some suggestions, even a rough idea of the look and style he wanted, but generally didn’t know where to start the process and put it all together. Having the knowledge and contacts from my years of working with these Cars and the people involved, I decided to work on this project together with Phil and we would both create an AE86 WORLD Demo Car that would be like nothing else seen before, finished to the highest possible standard that could compete with the Best, promote the brand and also lead the way in the Car Show Events that Phil is so passionate about!
THE PLAN
Basically Phil had picked out a few well known Cars in the AE86 scene, from Drift to Track, to Show Cars. He had done his homework and made notes of a few key points from them that he liked most. Phil asked me, ‘Can we really do better than these cars?’, in an instant I replied, ‘Yes, as long as we build it properly, the right way!’ Having worked with companies building Cars in Japan, and being involved helping AE86 Owners worldwide, I always believe a Car has to be planned and built a certain way, within it’s budget and owner expectations. For the level we were to build this Demo Car, it had to be absolute Perfection, nothing else would do! After hours of consultation meetings and calls, it was clear Myself and Phil were on the same level and that made it particular easy, which is rare on a Project of this level. I had free reign on my end of things, and Phil contributed his and to the interior in particular as we consulted each process. From the word Go, I was certain this Car would turn out as good as the vision of it in my mind!
EXTERIOR BUILD
We decided the Styling and Stance of this car had to be very aggressive and inspired by legendary Track and Drift cars in Japan. We set about making a Parts List and I got to work on getting everything we needed from Japan as a priority! A mix of Aero Bodykits were chosen, with RUNFREE Front Bumper and Sideskirts, Custom FRP Rear Bumper with J-Blood Spats and a one off Carbon Diffuser, finished with a CBY Rear Hatch and CBY N2 Flare Arches. The build continued then to Carbon Fibre Doors, Roof, and a lastminute decision J-Blood vented Carbon bonnet. After a quick call to J-Blood to explain about the Project, Murayama-San dropped everything he was doing and immediately set out to make the J-Blood bonnet in 2 days and drove 4 hours to the airport to drop it off for urgent Air Freight Cargo. More Carbon continued with the Lower Wiper Cowl Panel, Custom Door Mirrors and Custom one off Carbon Canards and Splitters front to rear. All new OEM Toyota Trims, Seals, Wipers, Front / Rear Lights and Front Grill were installed to finish everything to the high standards we were aiming for! MW Bodyshop was brought onboard to make the styling a reality and didn’t disappoint. The effort and finish was top class, right down to the CBY Arches being made to fit to the millimeter, and all panel gaps being perfected. Everything was fitted, repainted in 041 Toyota White and Lexan Bronze Glass to complete to look. After a few weeks, the Car was sitting with perfect bodywork, but we wanted to go further. This had to be a build like no other, and being inspired by the earlier 80’s / 90’s Race Cars, it was decided that full graphics were needed to achieve that. After a complete one-off design by AWS Graphics in New Zealand, it was over to 3SixtyWraps to turn the render drawings into reality. The quality of work from the guys at 3SixtyWraps was second to none, and I genuinely believe this to be one of the best looking AE86 Liveries in years, that wouldn’t look out of place on the InterTec 80’s japan Touring Car Grid.
THE STANCE
Perhaps the biggest decision for this car was the wheels. Phil had gone through countless ideas, but in the end we both decided on WORK Meister CR01 in a one-off finish of Matt Bronze centres and Polished Bronze dish, with Chrome bolts and Honest Titanium lugnuts. The finish is outstanding! For the stance and fitment we had in mind I decided we had to go for 16’s. We went for a 16×9 -51 Front and 16×9 -66 Rear setup with 30mm Spacers, all wrapped in TOYO T1R Tyres. The Suspension chosen for the build was BLITZ Coilovers! This allowed us to set the ride height and camber perfectly. A fully rebuilt and painted suspension and subframe with all new bolts, AE86 WORLD Bushing kit and Cusco Carbon Strutbraces completed this area. The 16″ WORK Wheels now sat perfectly in the CBY Flares, but something more was needed to get that completed look. Step up Wilwood Brakes who made a custom 6-Pot Front and 4-Pot Rear setup with Drilled / Slotted Disks and Red Calipers. With a super quick turnaround they were shipped direct from the USA arriving within Days. We had the Exterior of the car now completed by this stage and work could begin on the next step… Interior!
INSIDE JOB
While at MW Bodyshop the interior had been fully stripped and freshly painted 041 Toyota White awaiting it’s transformation. While I had a free reign over the Exterior, the Interior was all Phil’s, and what a job he has done. From the start Phil had been inspired by the 90’s Touring Car days, but wanted it finished to as high a standard as the rest of the car. I set about getting the Carbon Fibre Dashboard first, and Phil got to work on the rest. Cobra Motorsport were brought in for one off Carbon Racing Seats with custom ducting. Takata Racing Seat harnesses and AE86 WORLD embroidery make for a nice finishing touch. An OMP Steering wheel, OMP Plumbed Fire Extinguisher and custom handbrake / shifter setup keep things functioning. For the running system we added a red JAZ Fuel Cell in the boot area with AN Fittings connecting the Fuel Pumps mounted underneath custom floor panels. Hand fabricated carbon panels were then made for the rear boot area and door cards with more AWS Graphics. Connecting everything together and giving some bright contrast is a Full Cusco Roll Cage Repainted in Blitz Candy Red. The overall look of the interior is like that of a Race Car but finished to the highest standards of a Sema Show Car. No bolt was left untouched, as we continued to build one of the Best AE86’s seen in modern years.
HEART AND SOUL
With the Car sitting 80% completed, Covid hit! Any progress now was on hold and the World was in turmoil. What now? Will we get to ever complete or use this Demo Car? We took some time out to focus on other things in life, and after a few months we had realised Car shows, Events, and everything in between was not going to be happening for quite some time. However, the AE86 Build had to go on! After several more calls and consultations we both decided that we had to keep the dream alive, push on for the future and to finish the Project to the 100% Level we wanted and have it ready for when the Covid Pandemic was over. MW Bodyshop had fully smoothed, welded and tucked the engine bay while painting it fresh 041 White. It was a blank canvas eagerly awaiting the the heart and soul engine to be dropped in to complete the car. We had debated for months what engine to go for. Do we swap a 3SGE Beams, SR20, 2JZ, Turbo, Supercharger? All of those options would have been great and certainly finished the build off but No, the whole vision of this project could mean only a 4AGE would suit. Keeping with the traditions we set out to make an awsome 4AGE 16 valve engine that would not only perform well, but would also look like a work of Art and complete the car to the what you see now. Although the car will be transported to events in Phil’s enclosed trailer unit, rather than driving down the Motorways to shows, don’t let that put you off the work that’s gone into this part of the build for the long term future use of the car!
A full 4AGE rebuild was done with Toda 82mm Piston Kit, New 42mm Toyota Crankshaft. Polished Ported Headwork, Toda 272 / 288 Camshafts and Uprated Valve Springs. HKS Timing Belt and Cam Pulleys along with Custom Billet Pulley’s being added and all new OEM Toyota Auxilaries. Paying homage to the 80’s / 90’s Era, we opted for period correct Mikuni 44 Carbs, fully rebuilt, and detailed to perfection! Nothing was left untouched, with all new Hoses, Clips and Brackets, and every nut and bolt either redone or replaced with new. The red TRD Ignition leads and the Oil Filter stand out under the Powercraft Tornado Manifold, mated to a Reinhard Titanium Exhaust! Keeping things cool is a Koyo Radiator with twin electronic fans setup accompanied by a Carbon Radiator Panel. All of this came together so well to produce a work of true Art when the bonnet is lifted. This was a theme we wanted to carry right through the spirit of the car. From engine to interior, to all the exterior styling!
THE FINISHED ARTICLE
So there you have it. What started as a simple idea to change a few parts snowballed into building one seriously awsome AE86. By now you will have seen the car on the front cover of Fast Car Magazine. They labelled it the World’s Best AE86. We obviously all have different opinions on what makes the ‘Best’ AE86, be it legendary Race Cars, Drift Cars or Influential Owner Built Cars. One thing I’m sure you will agree on is the fact that it has to be one of the most Complete and Best Finished AE86’s in the World today. The level of detail from the Fitment of Parts, Custom Fabricated work, Paint Finish and graphic work is like nothing I’ve seen before. I could go on and on, about the custom Mirror brackets, Gold Pin Stripe along the Carbon roof edge, the Embroidery of the Seats, Red theme throughout from the Blitz suspension to the cage, to the fuel cell or the standard of work under the bonnet It’s Endless!. We wanted to build a car that would make a huge impact worldwide, and showcase exactly what AE86 WORLD can do. Many cars come and go, but I’ve a feeling this will be one AE86 that will go down in history and be remembered with the Best for many years to come! A huge Thank You to Phil for giving me the opportunity to work with him and allowing me to produce something to this standard. We have built a true friendship over the thousands of phone calls, video consultations and meetings. The plan now it to showcase the Car around UK and Ireland, then Europe and beyond. When you see it at an event, come check it out and have a chat! There’s so much more to talk about when you see the Car in person compared to me writing for pages and pages here. We hope you like it as much as we do!
Thank You for reading! Chris & Phil – AE86 WORLD
Photography by: Martin Farrington *click*
1985 Toyota Trueno AE86 GTV – AE86 WORLD
Exterior:
RUNFREE Japan Front Bumper
RUNFREE Japan Sideskirts
J-Blood Rear Spats, Custom Carbon Diffuser
FRP Front Wings with CBY N2 Flare Arches
CBY FRP Bootlid and Spoiler
J-Blood Carbon Fibre Bonnet
Carbon Fibre Roof
Carbon Fibre Doors
Carbon Fibre Headlight Panels
Carbon Fibre Windcreen Wiper Cowl
Custom Carbon Fibre Mirrors
Original Toyota Front Trueno Grill
New Toyota Corner Lamps and Clear Lenses
New Toyota Redline Rear Lights
New Toyota Window Seals, Trims and Wipers
Custom Carbon Fibre Canards / Splitter
Custom Carbon Fibre Sideskirt Extensions
Custom Yellow Tow Eyes Front / Rear
Lightweight Tinted Lexan Windows
All Bodywork Prepared by MW Bodyshop, Painted Toyota 041 White
Complete One Off Livery by AWS Graphics, Fitted by 3SixtyWraps
Wheels / Tyres / Suspension / Brakes
WORK Meister CR01, Custom Bronze Polished Dish, Matt Centres, Chrome Bolts
Front 16″ x 9j Offset -51 , Rear 16x9j -66, 30mm Spacers. Toyo T1R 195/45/16 Tyres
Longer Wheel Studs, Custom made Titanium Wheel Nuts
Adjustable YZ Sports Rear Supension, Custom Rear Springs, Panhard Bar
Front Adjustable BLITZ Coilovers and Camber Mounts.
Full Roll Cage, Cusco Front and Rear Carbon Fibre Strutbraces.
Full AE86 WORLD Bushing Kit, Rebuilt Steering Rack, New Toyota Boots
Wilwood Brake Kit 6 Piston Front, 4 Piston Rear, with Handbrake.
Red Wilwood Calipers, Drilled / Slot Disks , Brake Booster Delete N2 Kit
Fully Rebuilt, Painted Subframe, with Anti Roll Bars
Engine / Tuning / Drivetrain:
Toyota 4AGE 16v Engine
Toda 82mm Piston Kit
New 42mm Toyota Crankshaft
Toyota Gasket Kit, ACL Bearings
Polished Ported Headwork
Toda 272 / 288 Camshafts
Toda Uprated Valve Springs
New Toyota Oil Pump, Toda Internals
Mikuni 44mm Carbs Kit
HKS Cam Pulleys
HKS Timing Belt
Custom CNC Full Pulley Kit
Power Craft Japan Tornado Manifold
Reinhard Titanium Exhaust System
Koyo Radiator and Twin Fans Setup
New Radiator Hoses
Carbon Fibre Cooling Panel
New Timing Belt Kit / Tensioner
New Toyota Water Pump
New Toyota Starter
New Toyota Water Pump
New Toyota Alternator
New Toyota Brake Cylinder
New Toyota Clutch Cylinder
TRD Ignition Leads
TRD Oil Filter
Fully Dressed Engine, All New Bolts and Seals.
Distributor Headshield
New Toyota Radiator Brackets
New Toyota Bonnet Holder, Titanium Prop Bar
Racing Fuel Cell , Uprated Fuel Pump and Filter
All New Clips, Fittings and Hoses.
Toyota T50 Transmission, TRD Gear Set, Custom Billet Shifter
TODA Flywheel, ORC Clutch, TRD 2 Way LSD 4.77 Final Gear
Interior:
Cobra Motorsport Custom Carbon Racing Seats
Custom AE86 WORLD Embroidery, Fabricated Rails
Full Cusco Cage Painted Candy Red
Carbon Fibre Dash
OMP Dished Steering Wheel
Custom CNC Made Shift Knob
Hydraulic Handbrake
Relocated Odyssey Racing Battery
Gauges Mounted to Roll Cage
Sparco Racing Pedal Kit
OMP Fire Extinguisher Plumbed in
Custom Air Ducting
One Off Fabricated Door Panels, and Rear Boot Panels
Cusco Carbon Fibre Rear Strutbrace
JAZ Fuel Cell, Lines, AN Fittings
Fully Repainted Toyota 041 White