Michael's AW11 SC; The Autodub

With the AW11 revival happening here, it's about time I also included a thread to show mine. A few of you already know me and this car from Toymods.
 
I have in my possession an '87 JDM imported GZE Targa top, with an automatic instead of manual transmission.
 
Having known a few friends with AW11's for a number of years, I always thought them quirky little wedges that seemed very fun. I never really got to experience riding in one outside of regular traffic, so it was a real eye opener to learn how good the 4AG is and how much fun they really are! After owning a lot more modern faster cars I found myself really bored not having something to work on, as well as wanting something I could learn better car handling techniques. Nothing beats learning how to tame a midship!
 
My particular one was for sale not far from my parents place, after a brief stint on eBay when it was freshly out of rego, it popped up on Gumtree about 8 months later at a price I couldn't resist. I carefully approached the buyer and managed to score this for a price that was then unheard of for a GZE AW11.
 
It had been resprayed not long before it ran out of rego, and apart from needing the usual wear and tear items, a new windscreen and drivers side window, it was pretty much ready for rego again.
 

 
 
With reproduction decals added at our local Marques in the Park car show, 2011.

With either a replacement transmission or rebuild on the cards, I still drove the car infrequently, just meaning I couldn't reverse so pushing it out of my driveway was the norm.
 
I still had a lot of fun in the car, taking it for bursts around the open roads around the hills of Canberra, and occasionally driving it to work on nice sunny spring days.
 
Next hit the car took was months later, one Sunday I took it for a drive, everything felt fine and I was only out for around 20mins.
Pulled into my driveway to find my overflow bottle was boiling; coolant system was overflowing into it and boiling off. Engine temp seemed fine however.
 
I had already flushed and replaced the coolant in the system a while before, so I suspected the rad cap since it was still original and looked worn. I installed a TRD item and refilled/reburped the system (a long and careful process in the AW11) and it was fine for a while yet.
 
Took the car all the way to Sydney to an AW11 BBQ and cruise, and the cooling issue surfaced again. After a great drive there and cruisey trip back down the coast to Macquarie Pass (my old stomping ground before moving to Canberra), I felt I shouldn't push the car just in case the transmission would let go, so just enjoyed cruising slowly up the pass at my own pace.
Halfway up, engine temp goes through the roof, I do my best to keep RPM stable to keep water circulating around, and it stabilises, only to do this a few more times on the trip up.
 
At the top of the mountain, It's really starting to lose coolant now, Wiso and I take a quick peek at it and decide to get to the Pie shop (5mins down the road) as quick as possible before letting it cool down and take it any further.
Car makes it within metres of the carpark before stalling, forcing me on the side of the road across from the carpark.
 
Everyone lends a hand once it has cooled for a while, we get it refilled with water and start the car and carefully watch the coolant flowing with the cap off, already suspecting BHG. Couldn't see any bubbles nor exhaust smell coming, so the long trip home to Canberra looms.
Apart from losing overdrive meaning car was sitting at 4,000rpm providing an absolute earache/headache, the car made it home without an issue, even with a fuel stop on the way.

Michael, great reading about the car and well done in your efforts to keep it on the road.
 
I feel that the AW11 in Australia has reached a tipping point where good road-going examples are hard to find, largely because over the years they have either been stripped and raced, parted-out, crashed, or left to rot. 
 
With only little more than 900 originally imported by Toyota, and restrictions being in place for a while on importing them from Japan under the REVS system, the wedge shape is certainly an unusual sight for other drivers and does draw attention.
 
The AW11 is also a milestone in sports car manufacturing, with the concept of having fun while still driving a reliable machine making others sit up and notice. It proved that the old 60/40 rule didn't need to apply - 60 per cent of the ownership time being spent on maintenance and repairs, with only 40 per cent available to drive it.
 
I have an original auto 1989 S/C, and although the S/C does make a difference to performance, if the auto is working properly my personal belief is that it is a much better transmission than the manual when it comes to the driving experience. Anyone who says otherwise probably hasn't used one, particularly the ability to have different settings for gear change points plus the brilliant manual option that actually does hold the gear you select.
 
Even though you might be experiencing some frustration over age and previous poor maintenance issues just stick with it. These cars reward you with fun times behind the wheel.
 
Regards,
 
Walter

Yep Walter I will definitely agree with you when the auto is working, it's deceptively quicker than the manual and the ability to hold gears and lockup is very enjoyable when pushing it hard. Only downside is the typical kickdown delays you get with a slushbox.
 
I'll post more pics, but as you can see mine is pretty well kept. Every AW11 owner I've met has complimented the bodywork and the fact there is zero rust to be found anywhere. All the little things that matter make me very happy I bought the car and intend on keeping it for a while yet. I made the decision a long time ago I am sticking with the auto and trying to keep the car as stock as possible, obviously with minor upgrades like a larger crank pulley etc. Historic rego is 30 years in ACT and this car would definitely qualify, so only a few years more to wait.
 
I should have probably added I've owned this car since March 2011, but only covering approx 3,000kms between all these foibles, car has been off the road over 12 months now. Engine was dropped earlier this year.
 
I would love to bring this to the MR2 trackday challenge even just to show, but I highly doubt it will happen this year. I know it is still months away but with my wife aiming to finish her PhD early next year, almost all my time is spent looking after my daughter and the usual housekeeping duties. My wife has assured me next year I'll get a lot of time back for the Autodub, so it's just a case of priorities at the moment.

Damn Targa top looks sexy, nice clean aw11. I also found my auto box well a little under powering in my aw11 but it could be my engine and i found it changed abit early too but that could also be mine the guy before me would have raped it relentlessly i know out of all the aw11s I've owned all 2 :) that they have been flogged and owned by some silly silly people like painting indicators black, major size tyre difference, list goes on... But back to your Aw11 mmmmm mmmm soo sexy. rims not my thing but damn colour and body nice. and it has supercharger written on the side!!

And back to serious again . . .  Very tidy AW, and certainly worth keeping as clean and tidy original condition.
 

" . . .see who can get there MR2 working first hey?"
 
Challenge accepted - just the incentive I need.

Michael,
sounds like the right approach to me. Make sure of course you get the agreement on time back in writing from your wife . I have been married for 45 years (that's right, 45 years - you don't get that long for armed robbery) and wives have a way of developing memory block when it comes to time for working on cars.
 
With your daughter, the wife's PhD, etc. it will be great to have something to do that provides some head space, and these cars deserve some time and attention to be put back close to the way they were when Mr Toyota built them.
 
I had the front of mine off for six five months when I first bought it after I discovered the steel safety bar behind the plastic bumper had the dreaded tin worm in spots. I managed to find a local metal shop that would rebuild it for me, so while this was away getting done I did a huge amount of tidying up. It has just been so worth the effort and time spent.
 
Glad to see you are getting it back to stock. We might even consider starting a Special Transmission Interest Group (STIG)  for AW11 and SW20 owners who have the pleasure of owning the auto versions. Remember - Automatic MR2's - adding couth and culture to what otherwise would be just a vulgar brawl.
 
Looking forward to more pictures.
 
Walter