New one from Czech Republic

[georgee]

Hey!

I've just recently got my first AE86 after like 4 years of looking through local classifieds. Apart from that I also own an '83 KE70 two door wagon and '98 MX-5.

It's an '84 Levin Coupe (hope I remember the year correctly), completely stock and about 20% lighter than original (see pictures).

I'm trying to source panels for it, cause there's not much left to repair, especially in the lower parts. Any suggestions what panels from what cars can be used would be appreciated. I've already found out that I can use a Starlet arches on the rear, but that's just the first step

IMG_8549 by George, on Flickr

IMG_8548 by George, on Flickr

IMG_8550 by George, on Flickr

IMG_8551 by George, on Flickr

IMG_8553 by George, on Flickr

IMG_8555 by George, on Flickr

[Ivan141]

Wow, it's really far gone. Worry about outside bodywork later.. make sure you are willing to fix what is hiding underneath all that rust.

Just from looking at your picture I would expect the following problem areas:
-Rotten inner sills
-Rotten rear wheel tubs
-Very likely rotten chassis beams under the trunk area
-Rotten lower rear 'pockets' and the plate between them
-More often than not: rot around the front window, especially the paravan area.

Everything can be fixed, but be sure you know what you are starting.

My suggestions if you want to go through with it are to forget about keeping things original
and use a simple approach:
-Chop off the rear pockets and rear lower panel. Fix up any rust.
-Chop out the rear wheel wells, put some simple tubs in place with some generic shock mounts (plenty on the market in the UK, or build them yourself)
-If you want stock looks, use starlet arches, for slightly wider look, use escort mk3 arches. In case you want to go very wide, forget abour arches and use some bolt on fibreglass stuff.
-Chop off entire old sills.. build some new inner structure and have some new outer skins bent up.

[georgee]

inner sills are bad on one side, a bit better on the other, but worth replacing either way. I intend to get both sides cut from a chassis in Japan if I can't source the parts localy.

beams are actualy not that bad, same with wheel tubs and the whole trunk floor (if I recall it correctly)

I'll see when I get it back from the storage and will take couple more shots

[pack]

welcome to the forums!

Nice buy! Really love the coupes!

Seems to me that the car is matured.... You will have alot of work but let me tell you....
The cool thing about the 86's is what you're about to start, the dedication you will put on a machine to get it back to the glorious times....

Good luck!

[Ivan141]

If you start sourcing chassis parts from Japan costs will become so ridiculous that you will be better off importing a cleaner 86 from there (save yourself lots of money and hassle).
From my perspective the best option would be to find a better shell, and transfer all the relevant bits to that.

[pack]

True.

Sourcing bits from Japan is so expensive these days.....

You have the Irish selling clean chassies from 800€

Best option IMO

[Bean]

Can't remember the name exactly but I think it was something like alpha parts that make replace panels for certain areas.
For the sills it's probably easiest to get a qualified panel beater knock you out some copies the aren't difficult to make

[d3nso]

Welcome to the forum.
Well your Hachi has seen better days huh

Here's a source for some Bodypanels:

Alfaparts

[georgee]

(10-15-2015 03:28 PM)pack Wrote:  True.

Sourcing bits from Japan is so expensive these days.....

You have the Irish selling clean chassies from 800€

Best option IMO

Any site where I should look for chassies?

I know about the alfaparts, but the rear arches are not the most damaged...

There's a complete sill with part of floor in japan for 18k jpy right now. I would let the panelbeater do his job, but there's nothing left and I would still have to get him another car to see how the sill looks

[banpei]

Welcome!
That is a challenging coupe!