1991 Toyota Cressida, upcoming addition...maybe

[mexicansteve]

So I did a thread a couple of years ago about a car that my folks bought while living in Sint Maarten in the West Indies in 1991, that being the Cressida obviously, which they brought home to Cornwall in 1994. Seeing as I've seen a few threads recently about older Cressidas I thought I'd pipe up about it. The reason being my folks are in their early seventies and want something smaller and more modern now as it will only be my Mum driving as Dad has just been diagnosed with Parkinsons. The new car will only be their third driven in the uk since 1974! They have asked if I want it, I really can't say no can I.
Anyway, about the car, I really don't know much about it, it's a GL, left hand drive, automatic. It has about 70K miles on the clock. Compared to my usual fare it's a luxury sedan, hell, it has a glovebox that becomes a cool box!! The velour seats are a bit sunbleached but I kinda like that lived in feeling in a car.
According to wiki-lies it's a 6th gen X80 (please correct me if I'm wrong), here's the specs,
Powertrain
Engine 2.4 L 22R I4

Transmission 4-speed A340 automatic

Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,682 mm (105.6 in)
Length 4,690 mm (184.6 in)
Width 1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height 1,375 mm (54.1 in)
Curb weight 1,480 kg (3,263 lb)

I like it for it's boatness and being the second family heirloom that I get to play with, anyhoos, some piccies.

















Photos coutesy of my Mum.

[oldguy]

Wow...thats pretty cool...ive also one..also LHD......bit of a project car...yet ANOTHER car that i thought i had the only one in the uk...a LHD X80 Cressida....woulda thought it....haha

[vitessetony]

Jul 5, 2016 5:52:56 GMT oldguy said:

Wow...thats pretty cool...ive also one..also LHD......bit of a project car...yet ANOTHER car that i thought i had the only one in the uk...a LHD X80 Cressida....woulda thought it....haha

Yes very cool, oldguy, you really need to put some pictures of your amazing fleet of Cressida goodness on here

[sciclone]

Lovely cars to drive (used to be a Toyota mechanic so drove them semi-regularly).

As per my post in Varelse's thread, watch out for HG failure on the M series engines. Not sure about west indian spec, but Japanese ones also had the option of 1JZ's and possibly 1G-GTE's so always a "standard" swap option.

[mexicansteve]

So I still haven't got this in my possession yet (but I have had a couple of drives), and I've had a thought. After reading this thread I wondered what the Cressida would be like lifted. More importantly, is anyone photoshop friendly and could do a mock up from the pictures above and also from the technically minded, how would I practically go about achieving this, what is a sensible amount of raising etc.
I'll hand over to you sensible bunch and wait for some answers...

[mexicansteve]

Right, here's the thing, My Dad just called to say he's going to pick up there new car in a few days and do I want the Cressida now...or they'll just scrap it...yes you read that right. I can't see that happen, so I've agreed to take it. The problem is, although I want this, I am a tad brassic at present and insuring it appears to be nigh on impossible.
The last quote I tried to get was through Performance direct (who I insured the Datsun through with no problems), now the fact that it is parked on the street, albeit in a cul-de-sac off a side road, and the fact that I am a self employed sound engineer are what make me uninsurable apparently. These are exactly the same details for the Datsun.
Massive sighing...
Well, I'm going to persevere for the moment and see if I can insure it, (Edit: apparently it being an import, even though it was 22 years ago is a big no no !!) if not you may see it for sale on here if there's any genuine interest. I'm away from home at work for a month from Thursday so nothing will happen until after that anyway. On a cheerier note, going to work may mean I can afford to insure it and run it.
Anyway here's some mot history:


Registration number: H717HRL


Vehicle make TOYOTA Vehicle model CRESSIDA Date first used 31 December 1991 Fuel type Petrol Colour Grey


MOT history of this vehicle

Test date 18 May 2016 Expiry date 26 May 2017 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 113,408 kms MOT test number 9443 8917 3325

Test date 1 May 2015 Expiry date 26 May 2016 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 108,861 miles MOT test number 3170 6162 5155 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Test date 1 May 2014 Expiry date 26 May 2015 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 103,416 miles MOT test number 4499 0152 4105 Advisory notice item(s)
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
some suspesnion bushes perishing but no play
small amount of grease around balljoint rubber

Test date 1 May 2013 Expiry date 26 May 2014 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 98,095 miles MOT test number 6655 4162 3169 Advisory notice item(s)
chip on windscreen
grease around balljoint rubber
n/s/f tyre worn outer edge
some suspension bushes perished but have no play

Test date 27 April 2012 Expiry date 26 May 2013 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 92,066 miles MOT test number 1664 6841 2150

Test date 27 April 2012 Test Result Fail Odometer reading 92,066 miles MOT test number 6680 6851 2127 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Test date 11 May 2011 Expiry date 26 May 2012 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 85,617 miles MOT test number 5975 9153 1191

Test date 11 May 2011 Test Result Fail Odometer reading 85,617 miles MOT test number 4996 7173 1104 Reason(s) for failure
Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Test date 18 May 2010 Expiry date 26 May 2011 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 77,160 miles MOT test number 8425 2813 0128 Advisory notice item(s)
chassis and underbody has been undersealed
play in both sides of inner rack
front pads starting to look low
noise on heavy brakeing o/s/f unable to find cause

Test date 13 May 2010 Test Result Fail Odometer reading 77,160 miles MOT test number 7517 9343 0182 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)
Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)
n/s/r tyre borderline pass and perishing
chassis and underbody has been undersealed
play in both sides of inner rack
o/s/r tyre low
front pads starting to look low
noise on heavy brakeing o/s/f unable to find cause

Test date 27 May 2009 Expiry date 26 May 2010 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 70,635 kms MOT test number 3815 8704 9197 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Test date 20 June 2008 Expiry date 30 June 2009 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 69,251 kms MOT test number 1144 0267 8160 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Test date 11 June 2007 Expiry date 30 June 2008 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 67,550 kms MOT test number 7628 1266 7104

Test date 19 June 2006 Expiry date 30 June 2007 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 62,958 kms MOT test number 6634 9047 6142

Test date 14 June 2005 Expiry date 30 June 2006 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 60,369 kms MOT test number 7720 9536 5192

Test date 8 June 2005 Test Result Fail Odometer reading 60,369 kms MOT test number 5642 3915 5116 Reason(s) for failure
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
Nearside Steering rack damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

[b3nson]

There's only one option for this, slam it and wide wheels!
Love that interior, very... red.

Ring around some specialists for insurance quotes, it's fairly time consuming but might be worth the effort. Try Greenlight, Sky, Adrian Flux etc

[Thrasher]

Sorry to hear about your insurance woes, hope you have some luck with that, would be shocking to see something like this scrapped when you have so much history with it.

Do you still have the St Maarte number plates ? That would be good for confusing people at shows...... :-D

[strikey]

what a lovely bus...velour-tastic! I had my old Scooby insured with these guys...very reasonable. www.keithmichaels.co.uk/

[mexicansteve]

It won't be scrapped, just moved on. I found an insurer but I honestly don't think I can afford it at the moment. I'll muse on it over the next month while I'm away then I may have to put it up for sale here.
And thanks strikey, I'll have a look at that link.

Edit: Keith Michaels were not very helpful, a bit quick to want to get off the phone and apparently won't deal with a lhd import. The search continues.