KP60 Starlet

I think I’ve just stumbled across what is potentially the best idea ever in regards to car forums and build threads. Oldschool.co.nz is a New Zealand-based oldschool car forum, and while it’s full of awesome cars and a thriving motorised bicycle racing series, I’d have to say the defining feature for me is that their build threads are strictly author-only content, with a duplicate thread located in a different section for any discussion with other members. That means no more sifting through 10s or 100s of pages of chatter when all you want to see is pics and info about the build, genius!

The build in question is a KP60 Toyota Starlet, evolving over time in the garage with plenty of home made fabrication that has me both a little bit jealous and all warm and fuzzy at the same time. Thanks to Zac for submitting.

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Toyota Starlet / Volvo 240

Time for another one of our favourite types of builds, where the mad scientists of the car world decide to take two unsuspecting cars and morph them into a single automotive frankenstein. I’m talking, of course, about chassis swaps. This time it’s a Toyota Starlet having it’s insides removed, while a Volvo 240 donates it’s underpinnings and drivetrain, giving us a RWD Swedish powered Starlet.

Thanks to Jose for submitting.

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Racer86, project car extraordinaire

I’ve been following the Racer86 blog for a while now, ever since I first saw pictures of his KP30 Starlet which gave me the inspiration to fit a MK1 Rabbit front lip to my Datsun.

Rob is a prominent figure in the retro car scene in the UK due to his multiple project cars and his affiliation with the team at Retro Cars Magazine. Not content with one ballin’ old school ride, he also owns a dumped & flush NA MX5 and recently acquired a Vauxhall Chevette which he wasted no time in modifying. To check out his 3 projects and get a fix of general automotive shenanigans head over to Racer86.com

UPDATE! Since this post was first published, Rob has since moved on to even more projects, buying and modding an assortment of oldschool rides such as; a MK1 Cavalier, W123 Benz, Triumph Herald, an E28 BMW, a 924 Porsche, an E30 BMW, and another Mazda Roadster! Does anyone else live the retro car lifestyle as much as this guy? I doubt it!

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KP61 Starlet

KP61’s are a confused little car for all the right reasons. When you first lay eyes on the late 70’s/early 80’s boxy hatchback styling, you instantly assume they’re powered by the front wheels like other cars of similar appearance. But in something that can only be described as a miracle, the old school players at Toyota decided to wait until the next generation to switch to the efficient FWD format, which allowed the 60-Series Starlets to remain RWD.

Rear wheel drive hatchback? Yes please! This Irish example comes from the Driftworks forums, and has been tastefully modified and kept true to its Japanese heritage.

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