12 July 2010

The KE70 Story...

In 1979 Toyota introduced Japan to their fourth generation Corolla, The KE70. The KE was the last generation corolla to have the entire model line-up in Rear Wheel Drive and therefore one of the most badass;] Toyota released a few different variants on the KE70 with the most recognisable being the 4 door sedan. But also in the range was the pretty rare 2 door sedan, 3 & 5 door Estates. Toyota stopped production of the saloon models in 1984 but continued production of the estate variant until 1987.


Here's a pic of an awesome 3 Door Estate with an Early JDM front end.
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During the short lifetime of the KE70 production line, Toyota introduced various facelifts and model names to keep things fresh. These simple facelifts can be identified quite easily...


From 1979 - 1980 the JDM market had the classic 4 round headlight design. This is most commonly known as a JDM front end. These models were also available in highly sort after GT model which is identifiable by its small red GT badge in the front grille.
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From 1981 - 1982 Toyota introduced the rectangular headlights most commonly seen on UK cars name the Corolla DX.
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& from 1982-1984 Toyota continued the rectangular headlight theme but made them wrap around and were mostly called the GL model.
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Pretty much all the KE70's that left the factory came with Toyota's own 4K engine. Which was a simple little 8 valve, carbed 1.3 litre engine which produced about 74Bhp. That's why it's a pretty common modification to see the later 4AGE 16v Twin Cam engines from the later AE86 models fitted instead.


In the Drift world especially it is very common for KE70's to have the complete running gear from an AE86 swapped over as the basic chassis was the same. Parts such as the rear Axle, prop shaft, T50 Gearbox & 4AGE, fuel tank, Front suspension & well pretty much everything from an AE86 can be transferred over making the KE turn into a competitive car!

With this done they can be turned into a savage little car and also add to extra cool points due to not just being another AE86 ripping it up.
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There's been loads of interesting and different things done to KE's over the years including the S2000 F20c Engine swap's, converted to run Nissan's famous SR20det turbo motor, the awesome 20v 4age and of cause the popular 4AGZE supercharger swap.


I'm sure it won’t stop there either, as there will always be nutter's out there that want something that little bit different from the famous AE86 chassis, and there is something just right about the KE70 in any of its many guises. It's one seriously cool car and I’m sure it's popularity will keep on growing.

Long live the KE and let's keep on enjoying KE70 Week!!

James.

8 comments:

  1. The very last rear wheel drive model corolla was the AE71 from 1984 which had the slanted front

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  2. The traveler side back quarter board had moved into the indirect access board which had moved into the front entryway board which had moved into the front quarter board. There was no chance I could abstain from advising father what had happened to his auto. I ran home with my last supper. I was resolved not to resemble a man on death column.

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  3. I love this rear wheel drive Corolla.

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  4. Tata Nano was at that point celebrated among the working classes families for being the least expensive auto ever. Be that as it may, with the dispatch of Tata Nano Diesel form, the shoppers got alleviation from genuine fuel value climbs also. The diesel motor of the auto has been designed by Bosch, a main name in the car business.Read more

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  5. The highly anticipated diesel car of Toyota, Corolla Altis has hit the Indian markets. The car has already been immensely popular among the Indian crowd and created waves in the auto market when the petrol version of the car was launched.

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  6. i just got an 82 sr5 hatch.. it fired right up after being parked for 14 years

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