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."
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 componentsExternal 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 kitEngine Management Modifications: Twin fuel pumps (Nismo and Mitsuba), ATL fuel tank, MSD spark-based rev limiter
Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel driveDrivetrain 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 barRear: 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 linesRear: 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.