2+2 Supra 5 Speed Conversion finished

[00series]

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo14 ... ood002.jpg
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo14 ... photo2.jpg
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo14 ... F21731.jpg

Here's some images of my just completed auto to 5 speed manual conversion using the W58 Toyota 5 speed box with Realm Engineering adapter kit.

Work completed to convert my USA spec Auto Series 2 into something a little more European: Custom prop shaft from Reco Prop in Luton, Ebay sourced Triple SU carbs rebuilt by Dave Lonsdale, Drilled airbox, Black polybush kit, wire wheels & hubs to replace steel disc wheels, new UJ's & bearings all round, dropped one spline on the front rear lowered to suit on Adjustable GAZ shocks, adapted Auto tunnel console yes it's not original looking but it will do for now, electronic ignition, spin off oil filter, halogen headlamps, green stuff brake pads, rebuilt front calipers, modern started motor, underbonnet detailing (work in progress inspired by Chris Rooke) new engine mounts & hose kit & loads of other bits.

Further work required: adapt & fit manual transmission console, shorten gear lever, custom made front pipe as exhaust is sitting a little low to clear the new gearbox, wire up the reverse lights, new carpets, paint job will be bare metal refreshed in a year or two once i am 100% happy with the mechanicals.

The driving transformation is incredible with much increased power from the Triple Su's & ignition over the Strombergs & points with taughter handling via polybush & Gaz - the car has now been converted from an Auto cruiser (as an auto i was actually starting to get bored driving it) into an involving Sports car without losing the smooth & supple Jaguar feel. The Supra gearbox feels strong with good gear selection & the ratios are about right with 2500 revs = 75mph in top.

It wasn't a cheap conversion - but it's been done properly & was worth every penny.
Thanks to Pete C, Paul J, Heuer, Andy P & Vacbag for infomation & parts sourcing - & also to many others on this forum who offered invaluable advice.

I use the car every day in the summer to drive to the beach to go surfing (the sills & water traps are fully waxoyled & the chrome & paint are frequently waxed) & the response it gets down the beach is incredible, i sometimes have to walk away from the car to get changed due to the amount of people who want to ask questions with the most most common statement being 'you can't use an E Type to go surfing' & 'now i've seen everything' to 'is that really an E Type?'

In fact the only people who aren't impressed are the endless amount of cliche VW Transporter driving surfers who are brainwashed into thinking that you must drive a German builders van thats been covered in surf brand stickers.

See you at Silverstone - & thanks for listening,
Bert

[on2wheels]

Good work Bert!
You have been hard at it.
I hope you enjoy your drive to Silverstone, might see you there.
Is that Croyde or Woolacombe Bay in the first photograph?

[paulj]

Looks brilliant,nice car love the boards on top
see why you need the center section
see you sunday
regards Paul

[PeterCrespin]

Nice car.

As for the gear lever, just tell the oiks it's a six speed Quaife sequential competition box to harness the V16 power :-)

[PeterCrespin]

By the way Bert, you should be able to recopu the cost of your conversion by lending out your Tex mirror stems and collecting royalties for every copy. It looks like your car has the Holy Grail E-type stem shape, always assuming you can actually see out of them? They look 'right' in any case...

Pete

[00series]

Hi,
Well spotted, that is Croyde last saturday.
I never knew i had holy grail mirrors i thought they were the norm, i guess it's because the car was very original & has never really been messed around with or abused - well at least not until i got my hands on it.
I agree that they do l'ook right' as they hug the doors & actually work fine.
If there really is a call for reproductions i could whip them off over the winter.
Cheers,
Bert