so this is a little embarrassing.... for as long as I've owned this car I had assumed it was supercharged from the factory. I even looked at the build plate and saw the c52 but didn't notice the 4AGELC .

So could explain some of the pieces that don't match up with the build.
 
Now I am not sure which transmission I am using. 
I have been fixing the speedo with e series parts, not sure if they are the same as the c series parts?
 
Anyway, I have started working on replacing the head gasket. I've removed all the pulleys and belts, the aternator and started pulling the cams. I got stuck on the engine mount this afternoon, I'l keep at it next weekend hopefully.

I remember this car from around the same time I got mine. The Rota RB's gave it away. I totally didn't even put two and two together though even after seeing it at ToyotaFest last year (love that Power Getter exhaust btw).
 
This car had a pretty hard life before it arrived in your hands, so great to see it's getting the love it deserves.
 
I also see it's originally 8E3 blue. Not tempted to go back to the factory colour?

maj
I also see it's originally 8E3 blue. Not tempted to go back to the factory colour?

As bad as the paint job is, I have fallen in love with the purple.. I hope to redo it better one day

Actually even I'm incorrect. Even though the interior looks like blue overspray from 8E3, the build plate says colour code 040, which is Super White.
 
So there ya go. The purple does look nice.

holy crap, 040 is definitely white, my starlet is the same code... But i am 99% sure this car was blue from the factory, under the interior, the engine bay and frunk are all the 8e3 blue. this is weird

Oh no, this is sounding familiar :-/

5SGTE
Oh no, this is sounding familiar :-/

Did something similar happened to you?
I'm just going to live in blissful ignorance hahah

Many dedication
Such loves
Wow

Sent from my HTC_0P6B6 using Tapatalk

alec801
holy crap, 040 is definitely white, my starlet is the same code... But i am 99% sure this car was blue from the factory, under the interior, the engine bay and frunk are all the 8e3 blue. this is weird

Someone's been playing with the plates? Might explain why a 1987 car has 1989 electrics on it too. Looks like someone was desperate to road register an 89 car which came through the back door. Looking at the pics again, it's definitely factory painted blue.
 

alec801

5SGTE
Oh no, this is sounding familiar :-/

Did something similar happened to you?
I'm just going to live in blissful ignorance hahah

No, just reminds me of another recent thread with a car of suspect history.