1979 Toyota Starlet (KP61)
Engine
Engine Code: 4K
Type: 1431cc in-line four, OHV, iron block and head
Internal Modifications: TRD stage three engine, Tomei 79mm bore pistons, connecting rods, ported and polished, TRD +0.5mm oversized valves (38mm intake, 33mm exhaust), valve springs, 110-degree camshaft, custom exhaust system modeled after TRD components
External Modifications: Solex Mikuni 44mm quad carburetor, hand-lathed aluminum pulley, HPI engine damper, SARD aluminum radiator, Sakuma aluminum coolant reservoir, Denso platinum plugs, MSD ignition amplifier, GReddy 10-row oil cooler kit
Engine Management Modifications: Twin fuel pumps (Nismo and Mitsuba), ATL fuel tank, MSD spark-based rev limiter
Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Drivetrain Modifications: TRD close gear set, clutch kit, 4:1 final drive gear, limited-slip differential
Suspension
Front: Bils coilovers, pillow ball mounts, AE86 knuckles, custom spherical bearing lower control arms, tie rod ends, Boneyard front upper tie bar, TRD anti-roll bar
Rear: Bils coilovers, pillow ball mounts, AE86 rear brake assembly, custom spherical bearing lower control arms, tie rod ends, TRD anti-roll bar
Brake
Front: AE86 brake calipers, Delphi slotted rotors, Endless pads, Earls stainless steel lines
Rear: AE86 brake calipers, Delphi slotted rotors, Endless pads, Earls stainless steel lines
External
Wheels: SSR Mark II, 13x7 (F), 13x8 (R) Tires: Yokohama Advan R slicks, 205/500-13 (F), 225/500-13 (R)
Body: Safety 21 six-point cage, stitch welded seams, TRD fiberglass hood flares, wing, front air dam, reinforced plastic door skins inside and outside, lightened bumpers, Lexan windows (excl. front windshield)
Interior: Bride seat, four-point HPI belt, Tanida 330mm steering wheel, Lapshot LP1, Stack gauge display
Inside Old Run
Restoration garages are hard to come by in Japan. Perhaps it's a sign of the digital divide in Japan. But, like many masters at work, Sumio Okada is enigmatic. A Google search of his name and of his garage provides a handful of blogs in praise of his work and a few pictures of his entries into car shows and races. There is no official website. That's it.
However, his craftsmanship is evident in every car his shop builds and business is booming. It might be that the atmosphere is ripe and the Japanese yearn for a better time. Who can blame them? The 1970s marked an era of exponential growth for Brand Japan and its climb out of poverty. Contrast that with the country's current 15-year-plus recession, declining birth rate and incessant news about government scandal. For Okada, business is better than ever. Two years ago, he christened his new 20,000 square foot facility, complete with body shop, bone yard, show room and repair garage. A short list of Okada's current collection includes:
* 1974 Datsun Bluebird wagon
* 1973 Nissan Sunny coupe
* 1974 Toyota Celica GT
* 1973 Isuzu Bellet coupe
* 1975 Toyota Toyopet Corona SL
* 1972 Nissan Cedric
* 1972 Nissan KPGC-10 Skyline GT-R