Ok, so I'm a total jerk and I'm capitalizing on someone else's inspiration to be inspired on this build. Sorry, but I've just got to get this build out of my system,
it's just too cool of a car!
There's not been a lot of construction yet, just a lot of planning and some cutting. This is how wonky the model looks right now on my workbench (please excuse it, it's had a bit of eggnog):
The body is the Hasagawa Celica 1600GT (without the photo etch). I've cut the hood out, and also narrowed the front end. I chose the Celica because it was more easily found than the Corona (which is, I believe, available). I also like the lines a little better, and the car would have a more aggresive roofline without my having to chop it and change all the glass, too. I also thought that the bumpers (which I will modify but retain) would look cool, and I really liked the blinker lenses on either side of the headlights. Those just look awesome, and will fit in great with a car like this (I think). The body will be blue, a very light blue, but not Gulf blue (like the prototype) but a metallic VW light blue. The metal mesh inserts (which I am going to use liberally, like the prototype) will be aluminum, as will be the wheels and the bumpers. I may use different metallics, but right now I'm thinking aluminum. I still need to radius out the rear wheel arches (that's why the wheels are sticking so far out) and have a ton of fabrication with the front end, suspension, firewall, and the full custom race/pretty interior. I'm thinking about going real ambitious and opening the trunk to reveal a fuel cell and a battery. We'll see
As far as the drivetrain is concerned, I wanted to stick to the family and keep a Toyota engine in the Toyota. My initial intention was to use a Supra motor and turbo it and make it mean as hell, but the I6 was long and just didn't have the same impact that a V8 seemed to have. So I found a Celsior on Ebay and am using that engine. The engine looks rather meek right now, but I think after paint, detailing, and perhaps some PE, it'll look rad. The rear end will be out of a Supra, narrowed slightly, so the wheels stick out a little, but not completely. I think I may also add something of a fender behind the rear tires, like the Corvette GrandSports.
Anyway, wish me luck. This has been something that's been kicking around in my head since it first showed up on AF, and I'm finally actuallizing it. Hopefully.