The suspension setup is interesting, too, comprising
a clever blend of S14 200SX and AE86 components, most of which are from Driftworks’
own parts range. For example, the front struts are Driftworks CS2 S14 coilovers
with Drift works Geo master front hub knuckles and S14/AE86 tension rods for
maximum lock. Dyno Torque also modified the front cross member in order to
install an S14steering rack and fabricated custom low drop links for the rear,
too. Further down the platform you’ll find adjustable Howe Racing four-link
rear alignment arms and CS2 AE86coilovers. Head to toe, front to back, Driftworks
and Dyno Torque have designed the Toyota’s chassis to be extremely versatile and
adjustable, making fine tuning relatively straightforward for different tracks
and disciplines. Oh yes, Phil wants to do some serious circuit work with this
monster, too.
Toyota
Corolla Trueno AE86 in red
With the mechanicals finalised, for the
most part, the car was then stripped right back to a bare shell and sent off to
Soda Blasting Ltd for a good blast and plenty of primer. Thankfully, the spit
was available, making the whole process much easier, as well as helping Phil to
load up the sills and chassis rails with structural foam for good measure. “I
spent six very long days doing all the foaming and prep before sending off the
shell for paint,” he declared. “At this point I still wasn’t 100% sure what we
were going to do with the wide arches but when the CCWs arrived I knew I had to
make a decision quickly. One thing I was certain of, though, was that visually
I wanted it to be as respectful to old-school AE86 drift styling as possible.
It was really important to me that we did not lose the car’s lines and
character. It’ san icon at the end of the day, and it’s for this reason that
we’ve kept sponsorship down to a minimum, too. We plan to run it almost exactly
as you see it here.”
There was a little to-ing and fro-ing
getting the paint right on the shell but while it was away receiving copious
amounts of Driftworks orange hue, Phil took delivery of the Toyota’s footwear,
gorgeous deconstructed (as requested) three-piece CCW Classic split-rims. The
9x17” (ET -15)fronts and 10.5x18” (ET -15) rears were then prepared and sent on
to Speedwells to be refinished with flat black centres and glossy black lips.
“It pained me to scuff up brand new polished lips but they were being powder coated
so it was essential,” said Phil.“We’re all really pleased with the finish, though,
so it was worth it. We added a bit of orange detailing to give them some
definition, and tyre-wise we’re running 245/35s on the fronts and 285/30s on
the back.”
Toyota
Corolla Trueno AE86 front seats
The moment the car was back and the paint
perfected, reassembly begun and when the CCWs hit the hubs, Phil knew they were
on to a winner. “I loved seeing the black parts going on to the car,” he
recalled. “They contrasted with the bright orange paint perfectly. And not just
on the outside either. With the custom black Cobra seats and flocked interior
parts, it all just started coming together.
”Throughout the rebuilding process, Phil
had asked Magic Aero to come down on quiet days to take measurements and begin making
arch moulds. The forming and shaping process from foam is fascinating so, again,
check out the blog for more details and photos. We think the final outcome is breathtaking.
Between Magic Aero and Driftworks they’ve nailed it. They’ve widened the track,
perfectly housing those mammoth CCWs while retaining all the charm and personality
of the iconic AE86. In fact, it’s only when you compare the Drift works example
to a standard Trueno that you notice just how much work has gone into getting
the car sitting like it does, and that you truly appreciate the level of effort
that’s gone in to ensuring the execution is so tasteful.
The AE86 – one of the very last kouki-model cars before Toyota
permanently ditched its rear-wheel drive Corolla platform
This year’s BDC is shaping up to be one of the
most exciting yet, with some truly special teams and cars involved. The rest of
the pack will have their work cut out, though, if they’re to wrestle attention
away from the Driftworks AE86. The very proposition of combining a genuine
ASCAR and a classic AE86 to form a championship competing drift car may seem truly
outrageous. What we have here, though, is evidence that you can never think too
far outside the box. Having spent two days with Phil, James, Craig and the rest
of the teams involved, we can testify to the fact the Corolla slides and
transitions as well as it looks. Its short wheelbase, huge torque, locked diff
and1193kg wet weight make it far from forgiving, but with a 50/50 weight
distribution and Phil behind the wheel we’re confident it’ll prove to be one of
the stars of 2014
