St162 Rear Wheel Arch Repair Panels?

June 17, 2005

I have a very good friend with an ST162, he's currently putting an MR2 turbo engine into a ST182 but until that is finished he's still using his ST162 as a daily driver.

The rear arches are shot, he wants to know if there are any repair arches available for the ST162 (earlier post on this thread says they are the same as the ST165) OR even if anyone know if there is anything close? E.g. a few years ago I owned a MK1 MR2 (another eighties Toyota with quality rear arches!) and I was advised that the arches of a Madza 323 of a similar age were an almost perfect fit. Toyota only sold whole quarter panels at 200 / 300quid a side. 323 arches were about £15 / side!

So thats the sort of thing I am looking for, he does bodywork for a job so is definitely skillful enough to adapt something near and it would save him an awful lot of time.

Any suggestions appreciated.

June 17, 2005

i'll ask for you at the celica club, and get back to you.

I do know that these panels are now like rocking horse poo, some guys have them hidden away waiting for a rainy day so they can get there cars in the garage and get them on.

I'm not confident though - but will try.

The only option may be to take an angle grinder to it, fabricate and weld a steel piece in place, or cut arches off a donor car, or use aluminium and counterink and rivet - yes - lots of work with bondo and paint.

Sadly it may be the only way.

regards

Karl