FTO AUSTRALIA

Thanks bud, really looking forward to driving it again.

Oh i was curious where you guys got your fto's from, i assumed they would be sourced directly from Japan.

Yeah i have to say i feel.bad for all you guys in the states and UK in regards to rust. Must be a massove headache to deal with.

Well, I think the other two who've gotten FTOs recently in the US got theirs from JP. When I saw mine I just *had* to get it, being a COTY with less than 46k on the odo. Funny thing is, I'm not where roads have to be treated during the winter (TX) yet, I've got the larger restoration task to start. The other two new FTO owners in the US, I believe, live where it does snow. One of them already completed his chassis restoration (and I'm a bit jealous - good on him!). He's also on FTOOC.uk (at least, before it went down again recently).

Thats super low miles. Well least later you wont have to worry about it once you complete.

I seen a vid of someone selling an fto in the states, they asking crazy prices compared to what they are worth here.

Did bit of work on the FTO today, bleed the brakes and the clutch. And painted rear calipers red.

Also had a go at hydro dipping the coil cover in Carbon Fibre.


Has dried abit now and lost the gloss



Will hit it with a clear tomorrow

Very nice, man
You gonna hit those embossed characters with some white, and some classic red for the Hishi?

Yeah, man - it's hilarious what people will pay for an "exotic" these days. You know I'd be dissin' on my own choices if I said the FTO ain't worth that. But... USD 20,000? I didn't pay even 1/4 of that... shipped! for my COTY with all-original stuff (granted, rust and all).

Anyway, I was tailing an A90 Doopra that was anti-lag farting the whole way yesterday. It's moments like those where you start to understand how it feels to be "that old fart" in the classic that, comparing to modern standards, wouldn't hold a candle on a straight line pissing / fire spitting contest. Still - I couldn't help but notice that the Dupe driver and kept watching his rear view mirror. Probably thinking "what on earth is that?"

That's why people would drop $20k on a car that barely edges out a Teggy.
(Though... the tale of the twisty roads would be whispering a different warsong.)

Keep it classy, man!

I might colour the lettering, though half of me just wants to spray some clear coat and call it a day ahha!

Yeah the vid i seen the guy wanted 18k US, which is ridiculous. Can get them here for like maybe 2k US but will ve molested.

Look the FTO is a nice car, but in todays standards a corolla will gap it. Like you said these are more of a classic car for people who appreciate it for what it is.

Did abit of work on the car again, took some time for the inner tie rod removal tool to arrive. Once i had that job was a peice of piss.

For anyone that may be reading, be it unlikely i suggest you just unbolt the strut from the hub when doing this job. Once the lower control arm drops down there is so much more room to get the tool in.

Fitted new innter and our tie rods, with some new steering boots.






Next on list will be to get some new gpx pads and rotors. I have a set of dual piston calipers laying around, so i will put them in. Should be a upgrade from the GR single piston caliper.

Nice man. Bit of maintenance is always good for peace of mind, especially if it's an upgrade at the same time.

Nice work, man. Taking care of even those items most people ignore. Kudos, really! Like BJK said - better the foundation is solid should you decide to build it up more.

I've gotta say this in response --- you're right, a Corolla may have more straight-line power. But this quarter-decade old design really is quite a feat of engineering. Handling on the FTO is superb! I really mean it. And that's even considering I drive AWDs all around.
On (still) stock suspension, I'm able to take corners that, on any other normal FWD car I'd get white-knuckled. Not on the FTO. Hardly any understeer. Seems pretty well-balanced despite its soft springs that I really need to replace. Never mind that it's underpowered in stock form - this car just begs to be Autocrossed.

That's what I'd do if I built one up - not for straight-line ability, but for short slalom and the occasional hill country courses.

Here in the US, that's all people talk about is 0-60. That's ok - I've got other vehicles that can do that. But, to hold a corner and power out a turn effortlessly in a FWD... with no boost... priceless.

I think you mean quarter century, not quarter decade old design mate.

LOL - yes, thanks. I was born yesterday (don't we all wish )

Thanks guys appreciate the nice comments.

Today was nice weather so thought i would work on the FTO and clearcoat my headlights and coilpack cover.

Started by removing the front bumper


This was the state of my headlights, pretty cooked.


Sanded down my headlights with 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper, and gave them a clean with an IPA

This is how they looked after light dusting with clear




This is after i finished the clearcoat can off.





After the headlights cure i will lightly sand and polish with my Polisher to get rid of the orange peel. I might make a DIY for the forum as there is not one for clearcoating on the forum. For longetivty i think this is a better option as opposed to just sanding and buffing.

Clear coated all my lights.
Added some base coat into the initial coats of clear on the headlights. Has a nice light blue haze effect when the lights are on or sun shining on them.


Make sure you keep them waxed after buff/polish.

Those look really nice. What grit did you sand with after you sprayed them?

I did my xr6 headlights previously but cant remember if it was higher than 2000 grit.

Fitted the coil pack cover

1500/2000/3000. Buffed with Juice compound and then a Meguiars finishing compound. Both with foam pads.
Polished and then waxed.

Thanks @getonit i actually sanded mine down and buffed today.

I only had 1500 and 2000 laying around so sanded with those, will pick up some 3000 and sand again.

I am using these compunds, thinking of changing as they dust a lot and it is annoying.


This is how they came out



Fitted them up to see what it looks like

This headlight i only hit with 2000 grit but it didnt bring the orange peel down enough

This i hit with 1500 and 2000, looks much better.


Will get some 3000 grit and do again and polish.

Fitted the fog lights and indicator to the front bar.
Had to use a clear sikaflex as i dont have the mounting brackets.

Fitted the bar back up, everything it still loosely fitted.
Will allign everything properly over the weekend.

Come up nice!

Thanks BJ.
Keen to take it for a drive been ages since i have driven it.

Hows your fto? Done any mountain runs?

Good job. The mirror glaze gear i used to like on acrylic jobs but find it not quite aggressive enough with foam pads on 2k.
Just remember to keep them waxed. Bowdens liquid wax is A1.