Celica Mk2 Ra40. Need Info And Parts.

[HH.]

Mother in law turned up yesterday in a celica.

Her car had broken down in Cornwall, her nephew a mechanic had been offered a mk2 celica by an old lady who could no longer drive - one owner from new, every mot, always garaged - so a friendly deal was done and the mother in law aquired the celica.

She drove upto see us, a fair trek for a 70 year old, the wife who detests old cars found it humerous; I as a "serious" mk1 mr2 owner was quite impressed. Not mint, it was unmolested and totally original. A detailed clean and T cut and it would make a fair also-ran in a show line up.

10 minutes later the mother-in-law reversed it into a wall.

I've spent the morning searching for info and a source for a rear light (as it stands she can't leave until the car is servicable so i have a fair degree of urgency).

I can find a fair amount of information on most celica generations but not the mk2 (late 70's early 80's), I'm also a bit confused as any photos i have found seem to have some differences, and think it may have an issue with U/leaded as it seems very sluggish.

can anyone help with :-

1. model information (as I think I'm going to end up with the car)

2. a rear light p/s source

3. general parts compatability with other models info.

4. fuel advice.

The car is badged celica st 2000 5speed

Y reg

model no. RA40RBLMSS

Fram no. RA40036905

Colour/trim: 861 YD8

Transmission: W50

Axel: T292

Plant: A41

Engine is badged 18R

Thanks

Harry

[Kp30 tony]

1) If its got 4 round lights its an early RA40. Comes in 3 (maybe more?) 2 litre guises: 18r powered XT and ST, 18rg powered GT.

Got one myself and been told they are quite rare and pretty desirable nowadays.

2) Can't help you with the light (got some but from 81 4 square headlight model) but try the specialist celica scrappy down in cornwall.

3) Body panels, very rare and as far as i know not compatible with others. Mechanicals, lots of stuff you can fit, ask for more info.

4) 18r engines run on leaded and it seems like its the end of the story :( Converted my XT to a GT using 18rg which runs on unleaded.

Finally, got loads of parts from my 1979 XT and 1981 GT, just get in touch with what you need.

Tony

[TheNissanMan]

Hiya Harry,

Don't spose you know Barry in Cardiff, may sound strange but he was telling me a story of an old celica with an owner named harry exactlty the saem today at work ????

If so he says you may be selling her, if so Barry will be calling you this evening as I'm extremely interested and she would be going to a good home :)

Drop a note on here if there is any truth or you are in fact the same Harry and I'll grab your number from Barry (if thats ok) and give you a call tomorrow...

[HH.]

Hi - update.

TCB managed to help me out with a rear light.

did a basic service, oil, filters, leads.

Struggling for a wind screan wiper though. Tony can you help?

Car is currently at a body shop having the rear end re adjusted followed by a full respray (original colour) as matching 30 yearold paint on a rear quater would be a hiding to nothing.

car is an early mk2, round headlight.

Plan is to make it good, polish and clean, maybe do a run to a show and sell this summer.

Have thought long and hard about keeping it, but after 25 years plus being kept inside and unmolested it would be a shame to let it "face the elements" on a Welsh winter. My garage can only dry store one vehicle and the Mr's got £k's invested into it so it wins.

Yes - I do know little "oopps I've forgotten my insulin" Barry, he drove the car when I first picked it up.

Cars not quick (my Mk1 Mr2 clocks 5.5 0-60's), but cruises in a lazy soft rather american way.

come see.

[Kp30 tony]

Damn,

Just scrapped the GT, and that had windscreen wipers on it :(

Sounds like a nice car though.

[HH.]

Hi Tony,

looking forward to meeting tomorrow for a trade and a chat.

Garage with the MR hadn't rung me by this evening, I'll try tomorrow am on my way; and the RA40's being "flatted back" so can't bring much to the show 'n' tell.

The wifes so excited about meeting another Toyota nut...

Rhaines we're meeting at Cardiff gate services if you can sneak out of work (Barrys got my number).

HH

[TheNissanMan]

will have a chat with barry, what time are you meeting :)

[HH.]

10am ish, tonys ringing when he gets close, 300 odd miles from newcastle to cardiff is a long run so times are guesstimates.

I've bought a set of wheels off his GT to refurb and as hes in the area this week hes brought them down.

If I pull my finger out and get up early enough I can pick up the st to take along if the MR is still not ready more fun than the wifes A3 anyway.

HH

[TheNissanMan]

on early's tomorrow so don't think will be able to get time off, any other time would have been fine as live 2 mins from the services down in st mellons...

let me know next time your around :)

[HH.]

Bugger, right place wrong time eh.

Any way, I have personal messaged you with my details, mail me and I'll send you some photos of the gen2.

And when you speak to barry nag him about getting that MK1 MR hes got back on the road rather than waiting for it to deteriorate.

;)

[Kp30 tony]

Hi Harry,

Just got back to Newcastle. Picked up the rear arches and front wings from Shaun. His number is 07980623058. He seems to have quite a lot of stuff. He's got a TA40 show car and he is restoring a "special" TA40. It looked amazing!! Its got a real nice roll cage (with diagonal) and will be getting Bilstein shocks and an 18RG.

It was nice meeting your other half today. I told her i found the little metal hubcab for the wheels.

Have fun at the wedding.

Tony

[mr2gti]

If you have any part numbers - i can have a llok at work tomorrow you you - as i work at MR T - we have bucket loads of sold spares to sell cheapy cheap!

[HH.]

Now I'm confused.

Toyota dealer and cheapy cheap?

Naaaa

no one will believe that.

;)

[mr2gti]

Try me then, If it's here, written down, and ready for the skip - why not sell it to you at a greatly reduced price that we both agree on?

If you dont ask i wont know what you want

[HH.]

Crikey, a human being working for Toyota just when theres nothing broken on my cars!

Every time I mention the phrase discount to my local dealer they have to call an ambulance for the manager.

I've spent about £500 on trim bits alone in the six months trying to make my Mk1 Mr2 mint. £50 odd quid each for mud flaps, £200 for a transmission tunnel cover/arm rest.

"Big Jim" on the parts desk even smiled when he took my pennies and said " you know they never thought they'd shift that at the depot..."

:arrgg-matey:

On with the serious business having had the Ra40 for only a couple of days before sending it to the body shop it seems to be pretty much complete, but the rear bumper now has a crease and theres some interior trim pannels that run down the side of the boot to the back of the rear seats that are crumling from sun damage.

No Idea about part numbers though; and when I went into my dealer to ask about a rear light for the Ra40 I think it was only being an established "more money than sence" customer that stopped fits of laughter so I'm not sure how helpful they could be, - but I'll give it a try, or if anyone else can help with parts numbers?

Tony!!

Sorry I couldn't make it the other day - got to work and realsied how much I had to do to enable my escape for the weekend.

Wheels have gone to reno-wheel, a local firm, £80 each for a full resto - ouch!

But his local reputation is second to none, and he did once get a contract to do the finishing on the wheels of some wanna-be sports car called the F1, so fingers crossed they'll look good.

Cars still at the body shop so nothing to photograph as yet.

Ryan,

heard a rummor that Barrys flogging the MR to a guy at work to use as a track toy, I might be able to help with the odd bit here and there. ;)

[mr2gti]

Well - the way Toyota work is a very simple way.

If you're daft enough to order a customer a part and either...

A . Not take a 100% Deposit, or

B . Order the wrong bit...

you will lose out as a dealer.

It's criminal to think that there are parts galore (3000 odd lines) waiting for the bin!!

After 6 months of a line not being sold it's Written off, down to a penny and then at the parts managers discretion either stored/destroyed or binned.

Our's store for best he can and prays for the odd lucky strike, but generally it goes skip way!

I have been searching for MK1 MR2 goldmines, window switches, body panels, ECU's- but it seems they aint been misordered lol.

Although we have a MK1 MR2 backbox, up for offers, a 89-93 GT4 Backbox also - for offers lol.

Thats why I need part numbers, I can then just go onto the PC, see if I have one, then sorted, all yours for peanuts.

Theres a ray of sunshine somewhere!