Opening the doors uncovers the fact that they're skinned almost entirely with fiberglass-reinforced plastic, inside and out. Riding shotgun is an old flywheel secured to the floor, proof positive that the Diet isn't just a bunch of Japanese senators; weight penalties are a bitch. A Stack gauge simplifies engine vitals, displaying only necessary warnings, and a Lap Shot LP1 sits portside of the Tanida steering controls. In the passenger footwell, an MSD 6AL PN6420 ignition amp with adjoining rev-control unit sends 45,000 volts to ignite the 110-octane cocktail and thwarts carnage from over-revving.
Looking into the heart requires unfastening the TRD fiberglass hood. A light, sealed Deka motorcycle battery holds lead-acid current and a Sard aluminum radiator maintains engine temps. An HPI engine damper oversees the pushrods' activity, while hand-lathed, aluminum underdrive pulleys do what little they can to hinder reciprocating mass. Period faithfulness is maintained with a stage three, TRD-spec, 4K engine, reworked with Tomei pistons. Bore has been upped from 75mm to 79mm, but OE stroke remains at 73mm. Upper engine architecture is a Toshio Sakuma original port-and-polish job with a TRD 110-degree camshaft, oversized valves, and high-tension valve springs, breathing via four Mikuni 44mm carbs. Torque meets the pavement through a Toda flywheel mated to a TRD clutch and close-ratio gear package, paired to a 4:1 TRD limited-slip differential.
Power delivery and balance are administered by Bils coilovers. Hand-crafted appendages and spherical bearings control fore/aft movement by replacing the rubber-infused stock lower control arms, while understeer is prevented via a set of TRD adjustable anti-roll bars. JCCA restrictions govern power to around 140hp, requiring Sakuma to take maximum advantage of the braking zones. This Starlet's AE86 knuckles accommodate Delphi slotted brake rotors, Endless pads and Earls stainless steel braided brake lines.
Out back, an enclosure of formed aluminum houses an ATL fuel cell with Mitsuba and Nismo fuel pumps (another scrap yard treasure), which feeds a hand-fabricated aluminum surge tank. This whole system replaces the aging period mechanical fuel pump. Cheese of the Swiss variety is an appropriate metaphor for the rear bumper, which has seen a significant amount of weight reduction.
The day these photos were taken, the folks at Old Run were off to the Fuji Jamboree event. The KP61 was loaded onto the back of their flatbed immediately after our shoot. Images of Bellets, Truenos, Bluebirds and, of course, Sakuma's Starlet danced in our minds as we bade them farewell and good luck. As for Sakuma's past life as a dairy farmer, one look at his creation is affirmation enough of his new life. His words about this Starlet resonate: "It's the cheese."