Williams 148 Resto

[Jase.]

Hi all. Well here we are at the beginning of what is probably going to be expensive, painful but fun.

A bit of back ground on me. I have owned mostly Jap cars over the years and am a bit of a Toyota nut. But before I could drive and ever since the first time I saw a Williams I knew I had to have one some day.

Having gone through the power obsessed stage of my life and then the ‘I need to be sensible/boring because I’ve got kids’ phase, I’m now at the stage where I want something to keep for ever. Unfortunately as we all know, williams prices have gone through the roof in recent years which priced me out of owning one. I can only see this getting worse, judging by other car prices.

Anyway, having got hold of an extremely rare 98 Corolla TTE, I’ve spent the last year gathering parts and was just about to build my dream spec when #148 came up for sale 3 miles from my house.

so I had to go and have a look and this is what I was greeted with….

 

[Jase.]

Initially I walked away, I felt the price being asked was too much and I could barely afford the car as it was let alone the money it needs to restore it.

As Steve mentioned on his thread, it kept ‘selling’ and then popping back up. And I kept boring my wife to death about the thing. It was actually her idea for a second viewing and she wanted to come along. The seller was out but told me I could help myself. Shell told me she was freezing so went and sat in our car while I walked around the clio again.

I got back in and she told me she’s never seen me look at a car in that way before 🤣 and I’ve had a lot over the years. She told me I need to have it but at the right price and the Corolla needs to go. So after a few messages with the seller, we agreed a price.

 

[Jase.]

The following week I went to collect the car and had a transport company meet me there. The idea was for them to take it up to my Army camp in North Yorkshire where I’ve got a heated workshop to tuck it away in for now.

Im under no illusions that the car needs a bare metal restoration. But, at least I know it’ll be done right and the last thing I wanted to do was spend 15k+ on another car to discover it needs loads of work too (not that I could afford it).

The next step will be to sell the Corolla in the spring, something I’m gutted about but I need to save every penny for the restoration. The car needs at least the following:

. Inner and outer sills
. Jacking points
. Rear chassis legs
. Both doors
. Potentially a boot
. Bonnet work

I guess some people may think I’m mad for taking it on but it’s my dream car and was so close to my house it was like it was meant to be. There’s no way I can afford a good one so at least I can save up and collect parts while it’s stored out of the elements.

If anyone can point me in the direction of good quality replacement panels I’d be really greatful.

Im also missing the right side rear plastic trim and radio. (I know it’s going to be hard to find parts).

Anyway here are a few more pics of the car, I had to put Micra wheels on the back to transport it as the speedline tyres were toast. Most people at work don’t know what it is and think it’s a heap of crap! But the few that know what it is are on board 😎

 

[Stefan.]

Following with interest! Love a resto thread

 

[Jase.]

Plans for the car are for it to remain looking original inside and out but having been obsessed with original parts on previous projects I’m more about going for upgraded parts that can’t really be seen such as coilovers and brakes. The car also has a period scorpion exhaust which I don’t mind at all, I know what a pain originals are to get hold of. Having had 3 starlet SR’s over the years, finding Toyota team Europe Remus back boxes for them was ridiculous enough.

As of today she’s back on her speedlines as I just got some cheap tyres to make her a roller. Next up will be a full service, new battery and new fuel along with plugs. This is just to reliably move her around the work shop more than anything. She does run but I didn’t do it for long for obvious reasons.

 

[Stay Puft]

That looks like a lot of work, but good luck mate. Will be amazing and worth it when finished.

 

[Clio_fool]

Oof that looks like a decent project. It'll surely be worth it in the end though. What's this special corolla you've got? I thought they were all very beige 🤣.

 

[RustyMojo]

Subscribed. Looking forward to the updates.

 

[Jase.]

Cheers, in my eyes the thing needs saving and then using. Can’t wait to get cracking but I need to collect some bits first and save up.

Well I’ve actually got two corollas. Both are 1998 models.

The first is fitted with a dealer fit WRC kit that was available through Toyota Team Europe to celebrate the WRC Corolla. The kit consisted of:

TTE Bumper
TTE Spoiler
TTE springs
White MIM wheels
Optional decal kit
Choice of two exhausts- I have both

It’s also been fitted with a G6r interior which lifts it from the usual granny spec 🤣 I had planned on removing the stickers and installing gt4 running gear

 

[Jase.]

The second has the same bumper and wheels but with the WRC spoiler, and vented grill. It’s also stripped and caged and was going to be used for hill climb events.

 

[Poopensharten]

Love these threads!

 

[16V F7R]

Good one for saving it, subscribed 👍👍

 

[Yarp]

Brilliant to see that you’re going to save it. My god those arches are nasty though 😳. Good luck with it, looking forward to seeing how it progresses

 

[Chocice]

Don‘t sell that corrolla you’ll always regret it, wow it looks amazing like giant Tanya kit car. I’m putting a mk1 clio back to stock and to be honest parts are quite easy to get and not to pricey sure you’ll need to drive 100’s of miles but as long as your patient you’ll be fine. ive bought a bonnet, bumpers, lights, seals and electrical bits and bobs for next to nothing and had some great chats with other enthusiasts, I also can recommend a company in France that 3d print non existent clips (gryp 3d).

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Great to see this car being saved @Pikey009 and will be fun to watch your progress as I’m running thru the same shenanigans with my Williams 2!!

As you mentioned I had a look at this cad when I was looking for one myself, it was a tad cold when I did 🥶

Subscribed to this thread for updates! 👌🏻

 

[Jase.]

I've got say, it seems really friendly on here which is pretty refreshing. Most of the Toyota forums have gone quiet and most people are charging silly money for parts, especially for starlets. I recently recommissioned a 1992 Starlet Gt turbo for a good friend and the parts situation was a real issue.

Thanks all, it's going to get a bare metal job as its the only way to go with it. A good, normal donor car would be ideal but for now the main bits I need are:

. Sills (good quality from a reputable company if any of you know of one)
. The rear right plastic bump strip (there was a trim in the boot but its not the right one )

Steve, in your build thread you mentioned it had loads of bits missing, as i'm new to these cars, what bits have you spotted that I need?

All comments good or bad and help are welcome. Progress is not going to be swift as I need to sell the corollas but I will start gathering parts at the same time. Unfortunately i'm not in a position to keep even one corolla as well as the Clio. I've regretted selling everything i've owned to be honest and might do another thread on here about all of those so I don't clutter this one.

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Steve, in your build thread you mentioned it had loads of bits missing, as i'm new to these cars, what bits have you spotted that I need?

Don't forget to do an @ before you quote anyone on here @Pikey009, it helps highlight to me and others that you've asked us a question, and stops us missing it!

I know you will need the following for that car, as I've just ordered it all for mine:

• Sills both sides

Drivers Side -> https://www.carz2.co.uk/renault-clio-91-898--full-sill-even-number-driver96685-96685-p.asp
Passenger side -> https://www.carz2.co.uk/renault-clio-91-898-full-sill-even-number-ds-odd-number-ps---2--96684-p.asp

• Front Jacking Points:

Same as 5 GTT -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233783841829

• Rear Jacking points:

Same as 5GTT -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334043405448

• Williams Rear Arches

I've ordered a pair of (apparently) correct williams/valver form rear arches from this chap in France to save my welder man have to re-create the panels from sheet material. They're not bloody cheap at €250 (£237.61) but they look like they should be saving me a lot of fabrication time, so went for this option. They've not turned up yet, so maybe hold off buying them until I get them and see what they're like... -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cliowilliamsgroupeaparts/posts/2332052620165230

 

[Jase.]

@Big_Steve_T thanks mate, i'll do that from now on.

Wow, what an amazing help this is. Thanks very much that's great!

If I don't get a donor car then i'll need both doors and potentially a boot. I like to think the bonnet can be saved but if not then i'll need one of those too.

I'm basically building a car from scratch arent I

 

[Big_Steve_T]

I'm basically building a car from scratch arent I

YEP! 😖

There's a surprising amount of MK1 clio's that seem to be coming up on Facebook Marketplace for sale.. depending on how much you need, I think you'd actually save money by buying one of those to strip for the parts for yours, rather than buying individually... if you have somewhere to strip it/dispose of the shell afterwards?

 

[Jase.]

Yeah I think i need to get hold of a solid one for all the little hard to find bits and bobs really. I’ve got an entire army camp at my disposal. I’m not on Facebook so May have to poach the wife’s account.

Speaking of accounts, is there any way I can change my user name? Back when I created it, people used to call me Pikey as my surname is Pike. Now I’m a bit older I just prefer Jase 🤣

 

[Jase.]

This was hiding in the boot, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

 

[16V F7R]

Definitely best to try and find a cheap low mileage donor for a load of bits. Good you have the grill in the boot! The best thing is the fact you don’t have a sunroof so that it won’t leak water in the car after you have restored it!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

One of the biggest challenges you’re going to have is finding the bump strip on the rear qtr that’s missing. They’re only specific to the phase 1 Clio’s and like rocking horse 💩!
Hope you find one of them in the boot??

 

[Big_Steve_T]

.Speaking of accounts, is there any way I can change my user name? Back when I created it, people used to call me Pikey as my surname is Pike. Now I’m a bit older I just prefer Jase 🤣

Message one of the Mod’s like @Sunglasses_Ron and discuss with them direct what you’d like your username to be changed to.

 

[Krarl]

@Sunglasses_Ron can change your name to JaseThePikey

That shouldn't be a problem🤣

In all seriousness hit your account top right, then account details and you should be able to change it in there

 

[16v_paddy]

One of the biggest challenges you’re going to have is finding the bump strip on the rear qtr that’s missing. They’re only specific to the phase 1 Clio’s and like rocking horse 💩!
Hope you find one of them in the boot??

They're specific to phase 1 Valver & Williams only, the non wide arch ph1 Clio items are a different size & don't fit so more like unicorn poop encrusted with hens teeth

 

[timmy c]

Wow @Jase. you have a big project there! I wish you all the best with it and look forward to seeing your updates!

I have to say I think its a real shame you have to sell the Toyotas! Is there no way to keep 1 of them?? I feel in time you will regret selling both!? Having said that I'm not a massive JDM fan and while I except I'm v.biased the Williams definitely will be superior in every way😜 They are just so involving and engaging to drive! Little else like them out there - you will not be disappointed!

Good man for saving this one!

 

[Jase.]

Thanks for the help with my user name, has been hanged without me even needing to do anything which is both impressive and worrying 🤣

with regard to the rear trim, it doesn’t phase me, if I really need to I’ll get it scanned and reversed then 3D printed, I feel there’s a way to achieve anything nowadays. There is a trim in the boot that matches but it’s too long, May be from a 5 door I reckon.

 

[Jase.]

Wow @Jase. you have a big project there! I wish you all the best with it and look forward to seeing your updates!

I have to say I think its a real shame you have to sell the Toyotas! Is there no way to keep 1 of them?? I feel in time you will regret selling both!? Having said that I'm not a massive JDM fan and while I except I'm v.biased the Williams definitely will be superior in every way😜 They are just so involving and engaging to drive! Little else like them out there - you will not be disappointed!

Good man for saving this one!

@timmy c

I’ve had all sorts of cars over the years, mainly all jap though. I did have a 197 at one point and loved the thing to bits. I’m not really biased towards any genre though, just absolutely car mad.

Never had the pleasure of driving a williams but from every single owner I’ve spoken to and motoring reference I can find, they are said to be outstanding. I love analogue cars, just something about the feel of them.

 

[Jase.]

What really re-sparked my obsession with the Williams was when me, Dad and my two boys visited a garage called ‘Top 555 performance’ back in September of last year. They specialise in high end cars even super cars.

They had a VIP event on that day and Out of all the Ferraris, Porsches and mclarens etc, it was a little Williams that was all I was interested in. Not sure if the owner is on here or if any of you know him, was a really nice bloke though.

 

[Jase.]

With regard to the Corollas, they both have to go. Unless I win the lottery 😁

I used to own one around 15 years ago and regretted selling that but I didn’t have a williams so soften the blow.

 

[16V F7R]

I don’t own any modern performance car now. I just enjoy using and keeping older cars on the road. Far more enjoyable for me. More engaging, challenging and pure to drive.

Don’t get me wrong, I have immensely enjoyed all the modern performance cars I’ve had and if money was no object I’d buy another. I just wouldn’t give up a classic for one.

Very nice Corolla’s, I’m sure you will miss them.

 

[16v_paddy]

There is a trim in the boot that matches but it’s too long, May be from a 5 door I reckon.

How much is it too long by? It's most probably from a non wide arch 3 door

 

[Jase.]

I've got a 2017 Q3 as the family bus and an 06 Fabia VRS that I bomb up and down the country in but in terms of driving enjoyment, has to be the old stuff for me.

I don’t own any modern performance car now. I just enjoy using and keeping older cars on the road. Far more enjoyable for me. More engaging, challenging and pure to drive.

Don’t get me wrong, I have immensely enjoyed all the modern performance cars I’ve had and if money was no object I’d buy another. I just wouldn’t give up a classic for one.

Very nice Corolla’s, I’m sure you will miss them.

 

[Bluebeard]

One of the biggest challenges you’re going to have is finding the bump strip on the rear qtr that’s missing. They’re only specific to the phase 1 Clio’s and like rocking horse 💩!
Hope you find one of them in the boot??

I’ve got 2 sets. But my car has none fitted because the clips are NLA. 🤦‍♂️

 

[Big_Steve_T]

I’ve got 2 sets. But my car has none fitted because the clips are NLA. 🤦‍♂️

Doesn’t the place in France sell them? Bordanova Sport?

 

[Coops Mk1]

@Big_Steve_T yeah they do, not genuine though

@Daniel do you? Williams 1 ones? As they are different from any others, completely Williams 1 specific

 

[Bluebeard]

@Big_Steve_T yeah they do, not genuine though

@Daniel do you? Williams 1 ones? As they are different from any others, completely Williams 1 specific

Ahhhh, I don’t know then. I’ll grab a pic in an hour or so.

 

[Jase.]

Too long and the recess is too deep

 

[Big_Steve_T]

@Big_Steve_T yeah they do, not genuine though

@Coops Mk1 whats Genuine? The same part in a Renault Bag?

Most of them are made by Restagraf so if they do the job, I’d consider they came of the same mould 😉