Of course, a 36-year-old transmission couldn't possibly take the brunt of this high-power engine. So Raymon replaced the tranny with a W-58 from a 1989 Toyota Supra, installed an ACT clutch set and a TRD quick shift, and smiles every time he chirps out of his driveway. But the first thing you'll notice when you look at his car is the wheels. The TE27 chassis is dropped on top of a set of 13x8 ultra-rare TRD Toscos with lips so fat you'd think they invented Botox for rims. They are wrapped around in a set of Pirelli stickies and roll deep with a hybrid suspension system. Raymon replaced the front suspension with one found in an AE86 and just added a set of KYB short stroke shocks. In the rear, he left the springs stock and replaced the factory shocks with a set of Tokicos. Along with the Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings, the TE27 gives out a stiff and maneuverable ride, not bad for a cougar. Rawr!
The second thing you'll notice, unless you're downright colorblind, is the wet-look paint job. Picasso'd by the folks at PJ Bonifacio Auto Design, the TE27 was stripped bare like it was in county jail, sandblasted, covered in two coats of primer and painted with the sparkling orange you see before your eyes. Fun Fact #1: The paint can be found on a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle. But despite all the engine and chassis work, Raymon still believes the most special part of his old-school ride is the original metal fender flares, which apparently are harder to find than Osama Bin Laden. These fender flares widen out the car and just make it even sexier, like adding more curves on Beyonce. When asked how he came up on such a rare find, he simply replied, as most Pilipinos do when they don't want to share their secrets: "I solve all my problems through the Pilipino connection." One word: major!
It's rides like this and tuners like Raymon that make me appreciate the passion people have for modifying cars. It takes a lot of work to restore a car so old, but to also make it as pretty as if it just rolled out of the dealership is simply admirable. This is the main reason why featuring an old-school ride is important. The Corolla alone from the TE27 to the AE86 has established a firm foundation for this sub-culture we call tuning, and without people like Raymon giving homage, we'd all just be tooling around, lost. In other words, go find yourself a cougar or a MILF, and treat her like the queen she is!
Fast Facts
'72 Toyota Corolla TE27
Owner Raymon De La Cruz
Hometown Gardena, CA
Daily Grind MTA Maintenance
Power 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm