They sit inside the guards far enough to be considered legal but I haven’t checked if the car is 100mm off the ground yet. I think the wheels look quite good on it, next time I finish early I’ll take the car outside and get some better pictures.

I picked up the Levin this afternoon. Worked this morning, was supposed to be a short day but as usual it didn’t work out that way. Managed to finish around 1:30, grabbed the flat bed truck from work (the only one with a tow bar), hired a trailer and set off on my way.

When I arrived Craig had the car up in the air and was in the process of swapping over the front sway bar, the rear had already been taken out. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to get it done as he had to leave for the airport at 4 so we just threw in a standard one for now. I will swap it out and put the cusco in when I find the time. I had a look at the shocks while the wheels were off too, it has Tokico HTS102 coilovers front and rear.

I brought the mesh, the kouki headlights, parklights and zenki grille I just bought up with me to put on the car. Since the car didn’t come with the redlines Craig threw in an old set of zenki Levin lights for me which was nice of him, they were the lights I wanted to run on the car.

Loaded the car up on the trailer, the worst trailer I have ever hired. The ramps were tiny, the car bottomed out going up and it didn’t have very many mounting points for straps.

Set off on my way, pulled over 10 minutes up the road to check everything was still tight.

Still good so continued on my way.

Got the car home, put it in the garage and mounted the zenki lip that came with it.

They all need a bit of a clean up, the bumper looks like it’s been sitting outside for a while.

I also sold the yellow Sprinter tonight, and as mentioned before I sold most of my spare parts. I had been thinking about turning my ADM into a track car, but I was never fully keen on the idea as it is such a clean example. One lady owner, no accident history, no rust, now mint interior, it would be such a shame to wreck it.

The last container Craig bought in had an AE86 in it, I was enquiring about buying the engine, gearbox, dif etc to put into my Sprinter. The car was still complete so I went up to have a look at the motor etc, but after seeing it, driving it and a lot of thought I decided I would be better off buying the whole car as I don’t get a lot of spare time and it would be a shame for a lot of decent parts to be sitting around unused like my 20v is.

It’s a 1983 Toyota Corolla Levin GT-Apex.

The body is fairly decent, it has been resprayed in a white pearl. The exact specs on the car are a little hazy as all there is to go by is a translation from Japanese.

It has a smallport 4AGE, TRD 272/272 cams, TRD 0.8mm headgasket, Mikuni 44mm carburettors, 4-2-1 extractors, Toda flywheel, AE101 clutch, TRD LSD, AE101 front brakes, coilover suspension, strut braces, sway bars, will get a better idea of what it has later.

The car also has a black interior, some genuine, some painted and bride bucket seats. More will be finalised later but it doesn’t come with the redline tail lights, the kouki headlights, parklights, foglights, grille, the Advans on the front and it also has adjustable sway bars that he wants to put into his track car that he will replace with cusco or similar items.

All things going to plan I should be picking it up on Sunday so I will update with better pictures and details then.

The fifth generation is generally regarded as the most popular Corolla when measured against its contemporaries, and some 3.3 million units were produced. This model, from 1983, moved the Corolla into front wheel drive, except for the AE85 and AE86 Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno models (SR-5 / GT-S in USA) which continued on the older rear wheel drive platform, along with the three-door “liftback” (E72), three-door van (E70) and five-door wagon (E70) of the previous generation, that were still being produced.

The front-wheel-drive wheelbase was now 95.6 in (2428 mm).

It was the first Corolla to top the New Zealand top-10 lists, ending Ford’s dominance of that market. A “short” hatchback range, called the Corolla FX in Japan and the Corolla Compact in Germany, arrived in 1984, on the front-wheel-drive platform. The three and five-door hatchbacks resembled the Corolla sedan with a truncated rear deck and trunk. Although there was a five-door liftback model of the basic Corolla, the FX-based hatchback was sold alongside it. The Corolla FX replaced the Toyota Starlet in North America.

A DOHC 16-valve engine, designated 4A-GE, was added in 1983 on the rear-drive cars. It was a 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4 and produced an impressive 124 hp (92 kW), turning the Levin/Trueno (Japan), Corolla GT coup? (Europe) and Corolla GT-S into a popular sports car. The 3 door FWD hatchback with this engine was known as the Corolla FX-16. This engine was also combined with the front-drive transaxle to power the mid-engined Toyota MR-2.

The Sprinter sports cars, in two-door coup? and three-door liftback forms, were notable for the line’s first use of pop-up headlamps, which the equivalent Corolla Levin sports models did not have.

North America
The American specification Corolla was built at the US NUMMI plant. It was available with either SOHC or DOHC engines. From 1985 to 1988, NUMMI built a rebadged version of the Corolla, sold by Chevrolet as the Chevrolet Nova. Nova’s successor, the Geo Prizm was another rebadged Corolla selling in the United States from 1989 to 2002.

North American market engines:

4A-C 1.6 L I4, 8-valve SOHC, carb, 90 hp (67 kW)
4A-GE 1.6 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 115 hp (86 kW)
North American market chassis:

AE82 ? FWD sedan, 2-door/4-door, hatchback (Std, LE, LE Ltd, SR-5) 3-door (FX/FX16)
AE84 ? 4WD 5-door wagon (Std, DX)
AE86 ? RWD coup? 2-door, 3-door hatchback (SR5 and GT-S)

Europe
European market engines:

2A 1.3 L, 8-valve SOHC, carb, 69 hp (51 kW)
4A 1.6 L, 8-valve SOHC, carb, 84 hp (63 kW)
4A-GE 1.6 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 121 hp (86 kW)
1C 1.8 L, Diesel, Mechanical Injection, 58 hp (43 kW)
2E 1.3 L, 12-valve SOHC, carb, 75 hp (56 kW)
European market chassis:

E80 ? FWD 4-door sedan /5-door liftback
E80 ? FWD 3-door liftback
E82 ? FWD 3-door hatchback
E86 ? RWD 2-door coup? /3-door hatchback

Australia
In December 1988, Toyota formed a joint venture with GM-Holden called UAAI to build and market the Toyota Corolla (aka Holden Nova), the Toyota Camry (aka the Holden Apollo) and the Holden Commodore (aka Toyota Lexcen).

Australian market engines:

2A-C 1.3 L, 8-valve SOHC, carb,
4A-C 1.6 L, 8-valve SOHC, carb, 78 hp (58 kW)
4A-GE 1.6 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 115 hp (86 kW)
Australian market chassis:

AE80 ? FWD 4-door sedan /5-door hatchback
AE82 ? FWD 4-door sedan /5-door hatchback /5-door Seca Liftback
AE86 ? RWD 3-door hatchback (Badged as Toyota Sprinter)

?

Also called
Toyota AE86 Sprinter Levin / Trueno
Toyota Corolla Sprinter

Production
1983-1987

Assembly
Toyota City, Japan
Fremont, California (FX)
Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines
Durban, South Africa

Body style(s)
4-door sedan
3-door hatchback
2-door coup?
3-door liftback
4-door station wagon.

Layout
Front engine, front-wheel drive / rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

Engine(s)
1.3L I4
1.6L I4
Diesel: 1.8L I4

Transmission(s)
3-speed automatic
5-speed manual

Wheelbase
95.6?in (2428?mm)
FX: 95.7?in (2431?mm)

Length
167.5?in (4255?mm)
FX: 160.0?in (4064?mm)

Width
65.1?in (1654?mm)
FX: 65.2?in (1656?mm)

Height
52.3?in (1328?mm)
FX: 53.0?in (1346?mm)
FX16: 52.8?in (1341?mm)

Curb weight
1047?kg (2304?lb)

Related
Daihatsu Charade
Toyota Celica
Toyota Tercel
Toyota Cressida
Chevrolet Nova

The second-generation KE2# / TE2# model, launched 1970, had “coke-bottle” styling. It had a longer 91.9 in (2334 mm) wheelbase. The front suspension design was improved greatly, using a swaybar, however the rear remained relatively the same. The Corolla became the second-best selling car in the world that year. Grades for sedan were Standard, Deluxe, and Hi-Deluxe. The coup? was offered in Deluxe, SL, SR, and Levin as well as Sprinter variants. The Sprinter Trueno was equivalent to the Corolla Levin.

The TE27 Levin is featured in Auto Modellista, a racing video game by Capcom.

Minor changes were made for the 1973 model year with a new grille, turn signal lights, and tail lights, along with similar treatment to the Sprinter.

Japan (1970-1978)
Most models stopped production in July 1974 but the KE26 wagon and van were still marketed in Japan after the 30-series was introduced.

Japanese engines:

T ? 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 86 hp (63 kW)
T-D ? 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 90 hp (66 kW)
T-B ? 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb,
2T ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 75 hp (56 kW)
2T-B ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb
2T-G ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve DOHC, twin carb, 115 hp (86 kW)
3K ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 55 hp (41 kW)
3K-D ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 73 hp (54 kW)
3K-B ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb, 77 hp (57 kW)
JPN-market chassis:

KE20 ? 1166 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX)
TE20 ? 1407 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX)
KE25 ? 1166 cc Hardtop coup? (DX, Hi-DX, SL)
TE25 ? 1407 cc Hardtop coup? (DX, Hi-DX, SL, SR)
KE26 ? 1166 cc Wagon, 3-door/5-door
TE27 ? 1588 cc Hardtop Coup? (Levin/Trueno twincam)

USA (1970-1974)
The Japan chassis models were all available in USA. A 1.6 L (1588 cc/96 in?) 102 hp (76 kW) engine came in 1971, quite impressive for the time, and a sporty hardtop coup? called the SR5 (also known as the Levin in Japan) was introduced in 1973. In 1974, the SR5 was entered by Car & Driver magazine’s team in SCCA competition.

American engines:

2T-C ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 102 hp (76 kW)
3K-C ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 55 hp (41 kW)
US-market chassis: TE21 ? Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX) TE26 ? Wagon, DX TE27 ? Hardtop coup? (SR5)

Production
1970-1978

Assembly
Toyota City, Japan
Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Body style(s)
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
3-door station wagon
5-door station wagon
5-door van

Layout
FR layout

Engine(s)
1.2L I4
1.4L I4
1.6L I4

Wheelbase
91.9?in (2334?mm)

The second-generation KE2# / TE2# model, launched 1970, had “coke-bottle” styling. It had a longer 91.9 in (2334 mm) wheelbase. The front suspension design was improved greatly, using a swaybar, however the rear remained relatively the same. The Corolla became the second-best selling car in the world that year. Grades for sedan were Standard, Deluxe, and Hi-Deluxe. The coup? was offered in Deluxe, SL, SR, and Levin as well as Sprinter variants. The Sprinter Trueno was equivalent to the Corolla Levin.

The TE27 Levin is featured in Auto Modellista, a racing video game by Capcom.

Minor changes were made for the 1973 model year with a new grille, turn signal lights, and tail lights, along with similar treatment to the Sprinter.

Japan (1970-1978)
Most models stopped production in July 1974 but the KE26 wagon and van were still marketed in Japan after the 30-series was introduced.

Japanese engines:

T ? 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 86 hp (63 kW)
T-D ? 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 90 hp (66 kW)
T-B ? 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb,
2T ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 75 hp (56 kW)
2T-B ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb
2T-G ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve DOHC, twin carb, 115 hp (86 kW)
3K ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 55 hp (41 kW)
3K-D ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 73 hp (54 kW)
3K-B ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb, 77 hp (57 kW)
JPN-market chassis:

KE20 ? 1166 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX)
TE20 ? 1407 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX)
KE25 ? 1166 cc Hardtop coup? (DX, Hi-DX, SL)
TE25 ? 1407 cc Hardtop coup? (DX, Hi-DX, SL, SR)
KE26 ? 1166 cc Wagon, 3-door/5-door
TE27 ? 1588 cc Hardtop Coup? (Levin/Trueno twincam)

USA (1970-1974)
The Japan chassis models were all available in USA. A 1.6 L (1588 cc/96 in?) 102 hp (76 kW) engine came in 1971, quite impressive for the time, and a sporty hardtop coup? called the SR5 (also known as the Levin in Japan) was introduced in 1973. In 1974, the SR5 was entered by Car & Driver magazine’s team in SCCA competition.

American engines:

2T-C ? 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 102 hp (76 kW)
3K-C ? 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, 55 hp (41 kW)
US-market chassis: TE21 ? Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX) TE26 ? Wagon, DX TE27 ? Hardtop coup? (SR5)

Production
1970-1978

Assembly
Toyota City, Japan
Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Body style(s)
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
3-door station wagon
5-door station wagon
5-door van

Layout
FR layout

Engine(s)
1.2L I4
1.4L I4
1.6L I4

Wheelbase
91.9?in (2334?mm)

The name Corolla is part of Toyota’s naming tradition of using the name Crown for their primary models, e.g. the Corona, which is Latin for crown, or the Corolla, which is Latin for small crown and Camry which is an Anglicized pronunciation of the Japanese term “kanmuri” meaning “crown”. One of Toyota’s first cars sold in the U.S was also called the Toyopet Tiara in 1960.

Corollas are currently manufactured in Japan, the United States (Fremont, California), the United Kingdom (Derbyshire), Canada (Cambridge, Ontario), Malaysia, China (Tianjin), Taiwan, South Africa, Brazil (Indaiatuba, S?o Paulo), Turkey, Philippines, Thailand, Venezuela, Pakistan and India.

The Corolla’s chassis designation code is “E”, as described in Toyota’s chassis and engine codes.

?

Manufacturer
Toyota, NUMMI, Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.

Production
1966 – present

Predecessor
Toyota Publica

Successor
Toyota Auris (hatchback, except Australia)

Class
Subcompact (1966-1987)
Compact (1988-present)

Using the Corolla chassis
A slightly upmarket version called the Toyota Sprinter was sold in the Japanese home market. It was replaced in 2001 by the Toyota Allex, which was then replaced by the Toyota Blade in 2006. There have also been several models over the years, including the Corolla Ceres (and similar Sprinter Marino) hardtop, Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno sports coup?s and hatchbacks, and the Corolla FX hatchback, which became the Corolla RunX. The RunX was replaced by the Auris in 2006. A compact MPV named the Corolla Verso has also been released in European markets. Its Japanese counterpart is the Corolla Spacio, which has been discontinued as of the 10th generation. The US-market Scion xB is also sold in Japan as the Corolla Rumion.

Over the years, there have been rebadged versions of the Corolla, sold by General Motors, including the 1980s’ Holden Nova of Australia, and the Sprinter-based Chevrolet Nova, Chevrolet Prizm, and Geo Prizm (in the United States). The Corolla liftback (TE72) of Toyota Australia was at one point badged the T-18. The five-door liftback was sold with the Corolla Seca name in Australia and the nameplate survived on successive five-door models. The Daihatsu Charmant was produced with the E30 through E70 series.

The Chevrolet Nova was based on E80 Japanese Sprinter sedan and five-door liftback. The ChevroletGeo Prizm was produced with the E90 through E110 series.

Using the Corolla name
The Toyota Tercel was a front wheel drive spin-off of the rear wheel drive Corolla introduced in 1980, called the Corolla Tercel which later became its own model in 1984.

The Tercel Chassis was used again for the Corolla II hatchback. Toyota redesigned the Corolla for model year 2009.

Wikipedia