Abeja Roja
(The Red Bee) 1973 Toyota Corolla
The build of a 1973 Toyota Corolla TE21 chassis. Michael Yount’s history with these chassis dates back more than 30 years when he campaigned an TE27 Corolla chassis in SCCA racing. Life’s priorities changed through the years which made him sell his little “Abeja”, but in his later years he had the chance to grab another one. This one is affectionately called Abeja Roja, The Red Bee, as a throwback to his SCCA racer. Click the link to read his blog story and follow along.
The Build
Radio Antenna – Better Reception!
One of the things I noticed in poking around thus far is that the stereo on the car doesn't have an antenna. Suspect previous owner removed it during the paint/body phase and that, as they say, was that. I recalled having an antenna coax cable extender in my box of...
Emblems and Exterior Details
Author: Michael Yount I've always enjoyed little touches that 'make the car mine' - but look like something the factory might have done. Big kudos to Dave Barton out in TX - he's my go to for helping me make custom emblems using adhesive vinyl overlays. This...
Air Dam Fabrication
Author: Michael Yount I started with a bit of cardboard to mock up what an air dam might look like. I'd fashioned something similar for the old TE27 Corolla I raced back in the 80's/90's. After shopping around a bit, I went to Lowe's (an essential coronavirus...
Just Be Cool… Be Cool man!
Author: Michael Yount I ordered a 12" medium profile (2.44" thick) SPAL electric puller fan for the car. Also ordered a Delta Current Control pulse width modulated variable speed controller. I've used a similar combo (SPAL fans and DCC variable speed controller) on...
Ooops! I Screwed up!!
Author: Michael Yount Had just gotten back from taking the car out for a test drive with the newly painted valve cover and catch can plumbing. Delightful! A couple hours after I got back, I walked back to the garage and noticed something shiny on the floor - coolant...
A Better Looking Valve Cover
Author: Michael Yount I've never been much of a fan of chrome and polish. Some love it.....not my favorite. So I thought I'd do something about that on this car. Lucky for me, the previous owner included a couple of boxes of parts and there was a spare valve cover...
Battery Relocation… Balancing Act.
Author: Michael Yount Although the little car is light (right around 2050 lbs.), the engine sits well forward in the chassis. And the battery is right behind the driver's headlight. So moving it to the trunk will help significantly with front to rear balance. A...
Master Cylinder Heat Shield
The stock car came with a nice stamped steel heat shield to protect the master cylinder and reservoirs from exhaust manifold heat. You can see it above in this picture of the engine in the Corolla I used to race.While the red car has a ceramic coated header on it --...
Catch Can – Easy Breathing Crankcase
The car had a crude PCV set up -- a single intake runner was used as a vacuum source to pull through the valve on the valve cover; the other end of the valve cover had a small filter on it to allow make up air to enter the crankcase. I wasn't happy having just one...