t'mill Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) Greetings from South Wales. I joined the forum last week so thought Id check in to say hello. Bit of brief history on my Starlet ownership. Last year I decided I wanted a cheap, but reliable run-around to use as a second car, which has now turned into my daily. After much research on possible cars, it quickly dawned that only a Starlet would do!In September last year I found a rather unloved looking 1997 Sportif in the Birmingham area for a few hundred quid. The car was white but had all the sheen of a brick wall and a dented nearside front wing that looked as though a person of considerable heft had leant into it. I very nearly walked away from it, but in fairness it was actually a very straight, genuine car which drove absolutely spot on. Plus it only had 51k on the clock, FSH, only 2 owners and a brilliant DVLA MOT history.Money changed hands and it drove faultlessly the 110 miles back to South Wales. Sitting on the drive looking faded and unloved, I had to do something to pick it back up. So spent 4hrs with a DA machine polisher cutting the paintwork followed by a further 2hrs with the DA polishing it. What a transformation. So that was it......the modding had begun. After seeing the SR models I decided to go down the look-a-like route keeping it as faithful to the SR as I could.Unfortunately the Speedlines proved tricky to source, so I picked up a keenly priced set of BBS 15" wheels (6" wide with an ET45 offset) which I shod with 195/45/15 boots. The wheels were a tad shabby so I set to with the rattle cans and gave them a DIY refurb. Thought Id give the brake calipers a few coatings of red enamel whilst the wheels were off too. Fortunately a perfect white nearside front wing was easily sourced from a breakers yard for £30, so had a body shop do the swap losing that awful dented wing in the process. I sourced an original TTE rear spoiler which I had to prep and respray as it came off a silver SR, and I managed to find the repro SR stickers from a seller in Ireland on eBay. I did put clear front indicators on this week which aren't exactly SR'esque, but I think they freshen the front end up. I sourced a set of Toyota mud flaps and sprayed them body colour, and finished off with a fresh set of metal pressed number plates. The only thing left for me to do is fit a black front splitter (maybe a Skoda Fabia splitter as only £13.98) as I think the bottom of the bumper sits a bit high, and perhaps some 13mm or 15mm spacers to bring the wheels out a tad.Unfortunately I dont have any before pictures (wish I had now) but heres a few of the finished product. Edited April 6, 2017 by t'mill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
akyakapotter Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Welcome to Ukso enjoy your stay. cars looking good. Cheers nick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Cheers pal. They're great little cars I have to say. I bet the GT/Glanza's are wicked! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryan lang Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 welcome to the forum mate! where abouts in south wales are you based? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Hi pal, I'm Cardiff based. Not many starlets around these parts though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryan lang Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 ahh tidy. theres a fair few kicking around cardiff but not very active on here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starlet__SR Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 That actually looks mint lol. Nice to see an SR rep. Welcome to the club Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryan lang Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 i have a weird feeling ive got some lowering springs kicking about. if you want them you can have them. but id have to find them first Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 That actually looks mint lol. Nice to see an SR rep. Welcome to the clubThanks pal. It is a nice one in fairness. I've put 2000 miles on it in the 7 months I've had it, and all totally fault free of course....it's a Starlet after all! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 i have a weird feeling ive got some lowering springs kicking about. if you want them you can have them. but id have to find them firstLowering springs have been in my mind actually, but researching on here it seems I may need an adjustable panhard rod? I just can't seem to find info on whether a panhard is needed on a low drop, say 25-35mm, or only needed on a 40+mm drop? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fozzie Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Since you're not running wheels with an extreme offset you'll probably get away with lowering 40mm without the panhard. IMO it's recommended for any drop though as it helps to keep everything in line correctly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Welcome! I'm back home now and again, you may see me about in my GT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 Welcome! I'm back home now and again, you may see me about in my GTI'll be sure to look out for you. It could've been you (if your was black) along side me on Newport Rd a few years ago. I was in a grey Rover Coupe Turbo and a black GT was along side and we both gave it some dump valve!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 (edited) Since you're not running wheels with an extreme offset you'll probably get away with lowering 40mm without the panhard. IMO it's recommended for any drop though as it helps to keep everything in line correctly.I hear what you're saying pal. I was hoping to not go more than 30mm ideally as it's my daily, and quite enjoying the soft ride as weird as that sounds. So was hoping a panhard wouldn't be needed at that kinda drop. Edited April 6, 2017 by t'mill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JamesD89 Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 (edited) Welcome mate thats a clean looking rep like the colour coded mudflaps.I'm also not far from Cardiff, will keep a eye out for it as I'm often doing deliveries down that way.James Edited April 6, 2017 by JamesD89 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I'll be sure to look out for you. It could've been you (if your was black) along side me on Newport Rd a few years ago. I was in a grey Rover Coupe Turbo and a black GT was along side and we both gave it some dump valve!! Doesn't ring a bell but it may well have been haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t'mill Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 Welcome mate thats a clean looking rep like the colour coded mudflapsYeah I'm chuffed out how they came out. Took inspiration from the Mk1 MR2. Thought it may give the car a 'phatter' stance, but I think I need lowering and spacers for that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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