A TOYOTA Corolla collecting dust in a backyard garage immediately caught Millicent resident David Tully’s attention when he and his wife collected a dining suite they had purchased online.
It was by complete coincidence that when his wife Tracy went to collect an online bargain that Mr Tully also spotted a 1978 KE55 Toyota Corolla parked and hidden under a pile of dust.
After speaking with the owner, Mr Tully said he made an offer and after adding fresh fuel and a battery the vehicle was on a trailer and bound for his shed.
Mr Tully said he believed the car had always been locally owned and passed through the former owner’s family through inheritance.
“The whole restoration process has been memorable,” Mr Tully said.
“My eldest son and I have had some great weekend drives in the Corolla, mainly to meetups or the random trip to get burgers or coffee.
“I love that the car is very basic by today’s standard. It is not fast, but it is a blast to drive.”
The vehicle is fitted with a four-speed manual transmission and a standard 1290cc motor with no modifications.
As an ongoing project, Mr Tully said there was always the need for running maintenance and repairs, but loved the vehicle nevertheless.
“It is certainly not a car show quality car. It is just a cool little cruiser that sometimes turns heads,” he said.
“There is always something to dream about regarding plans, whether it be renewed suspension, brakes, an upgraded motor, gearbox and the list goes on,” he said.
“I do need to source the bonnet chrome for the front of the car, but that is only piece that is actually missing.”
With the restoration taking a couple of years, Mr Tully said he purchased the vehicle with initial intentions of a quick tidy up and to drive it as it was.
“I do need to source the bonnet chrome for the front of the car, but that is only piece that is actually missing.”
With the restoration taking a couple of years, Mr Tully said he purchased the vehicle with initial intentions of a quick tidy up and to drive it as it was.
“Once we started working on the body it was decided that we would do a full bare metal restoration including a sandblast, repair and a repaint,” he said.
“It had extensive rust around the rear wheel arches, which has all been cut out and replaced with sheet metal.
“The passenger side front guard and bonnet were replaced for the same reason.”
Mr Tully thanked Shannon Widdison and Robert Georgeson who completed the majority of the bodywork with himself as a helper.
“With the exception of a CD player, speakers, aftermarket steering wheel and a tachometer, the interior is standard,” he said.
“The only performance modification is the two-inch exhaust and mag wheels.”
Mr Tully said he thanked his friends Shannon, Steve, Jay and Trevor for help with the mechanic work, Stuart, Matthew, Matt and Terry for helping out with parts and equipment and his wife Tracy and his sons.
