Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Toyota Starlet KP6#

From Wikipedia :

The 60 series, introduced in 1978 was better known, being the first to be extensively sold outside Japan. It was offered with 993 (KP60 2K), 1,166 (KP62 3K) and 1,290 cc (KP61 4K) engines. Three-door and 5-door hatchbacks were offered in export markets, although a distinctive 5-door wagon variant was sold in Japan, Hong Kong and Germany. Trim levels were Standard, Deluxe (DX), GL, XL, S, and SE.

In 1980 the car was facelifted to include square headlights and a second facelift followed in 1983 to incorporate a slant nose front end, and lower hatch opening.

The KP61 was the only Starlet ever sold in the USA from 1981 to 1984, until the Corolla FX replaced it in 1985. The 1981–1982 models came with standard 5-speed manual transmission and tachometer. It is an equivalent to other markets' S model. The 1983–1984 models were additionally offered with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) with the 4K engine, but with 4-speed manual transmission, and similar to other markets' XLi model.

Specifications:

Production 1978–1984
Body style(s) 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
5-door station wagon
Layout FR layout
Platform P60
Engine(s) 2K, 3K & 4K
Transmission(s) K40 (4-speed)
K50 (5-speed)
Wheelbase 91.5 in (2324 mm)[1]
Length 90.6 in (2301 mm)[1]
Width 60.4 in (1534 mm)[1]
Height 54.3 in (1379 mm)[1]
Curb weight 1,652 lb (749 kg) [1]
Fuel capacity 8.8 imp gal (40 L; 11 US gal)[1]
The original stock standard KP Starlet.

Bug Eye version



Nicely done up KP "Bug Eye with N2 Arches"and bullet fender mirrors.

The Starlet KP6# are one of the better known small hatch rwd from japan. Its nimble handling and good handling characteristic are one of the reason enthusiast turn this granny old mobile into a serious driving machine. Most owners chuck out the old 2k/3k & 4k in favor of the famous 4age or other more powerful and bigger engine such as SR20, CA18, 3SGTE and etc. The handling department can be enhance using the hachi-roku suspension and axle with minimal mods.

Mighty Starlet with MKII wheels and arches


Notice the oil cooler.

Slam to the max.

Spartan Interior

4k TRD spec engine with bikes carb

There are other hardcore Starlet owners which use back the original engine but brings it back to its former glory using hard to get TRD parts to push it to a higher limit. Check out the project thread here.

Running in TS Cup in the nostalgic race.

Its use for D1 Drifting although with little success and also for autocross around the world.

Pics sources from Wikipedia, Speedhunter, Driftworks and Auto-otaku


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

nice article man. Your site is pretty interesting to read too.

aa63 said...

Thanks man, will keep the ol skool spirit alive.

Anonymous said...

thats my grey starlet ;) thanks for the feature!

aa63 said...

great to see u here, you've got a marvelous pocket rocket there...wats the HP rating.

joshua said...

hey bro! nice read!
am a kp owner myself..
and heck.. that gray kp61 is somewhat how i wanna build up my own!

nice blog n nice to meet u bro~

aa63 said...

no problem bro..

Anonymous said...

I have a 1982 Starlet with 2843 original miles on it. It is in showroom condition, runs and looks like it just came off the assembly line. It’s been in storage for quite some time, and has never seen snow, or rain for that matter. I will be auctioning it on ebay next week. If interested email me at chefchristian1972@hotmail.com.