Early ST165

[larry]

Hi, i have just bought a 165 and hope somebody can help me with a bit info,

My car appears to be a early uk registered model possibly owned by toyota themselves it has a early uk vin of 2275,

apparently the first 2274 cars made were for the JDM ?,

I wonder have u seen it before in any mags or road tests, its blue and has some strange bonnet vents fitted its reg number is E721 DPJ, any help gratefully recieved.

larry

[bazza2541]

OOOOooooo................You said bonnet vents!!!!!!!!

PICS PICS PICS.

Pwetty pwease?

[Gary ST165]

blue respray and either a scooby scoop or cossy style vents >>> rings a bell....i think i saw this car for sale on eBay within the last 12 months...

VIN confirms an early production date of October 1987

[larry]

Hi, i can confirm its definetly a dark blue metallic, no respray, took the sunroof out last night and its factory blue every where, engine bay, boot, under carpets and inside doors.

the bonnet vents are fitted really well - no rough edges or bodge, look original?

according to one site all the first batch of JDM production ended at 2274, after that its unclear ?

I'll ask Toyota GB what they have on the car and see what its about.

regards

larry

[Gary ST165]

hi Larry,

i'd really like to see some pics of your rare if not unique? beast! >>> never seen or heard of a factory blue one!

whats the paint / trim code off the VIN plate?

[larry]

Hi have tried twice to put pics up and give up, if you want to see it give me a email address and i'll send them to you.

the paint code on the vin plate is   

8E3
 Dark Blue Pearl.

Regards

simon
 

[Gary ST165]

email them to heikki (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk and i will host them via www.photobucket.com

[larry]

Hi just had a look at the gt4 brochure on the 165 website  @  .http://www.gtfours.co.uk/......thanks......... what a great site

the dark blue pearl is listed for the corollas and mr2s but not gt4s.

whats that all about then............possibly limited production run ?.........painted one and didn't like it? who knows

larry

[RobbieMcVee]

you can post those up to www.photobucket.com using the user name gt4ec and the password of 3sgte

cheers

[Gary ST165]

click on the pics:






appears to be ST185 ATA bonnet vents ??   

[larry]

Hi found this its the same colour as mine.


regards

larry

[larry]

Hi Just had a response from Autocar magazine,

They have confirmed it was their Original ST165 road test car,

It was One of the first in the uk if not the first

and sent me a copy of the original Road test article for free.   ( wish i could post it, copyright prevents me at the mo. )

Still waiting for Toyota uk to respond.

Larry

[larry]

Hi All, Had a response from Toyota GB, They have filled in some history on the car.

2 x Cars specially delivered from Toyota Japan to Toyota GB for Type approval / Homologation in late 1987/early 1988.

1 x Blue  registered E721 DPJ  ie my own car.

1 x White registered E722 DPJ owner unknown ?

Both cars supplied partially stripped ie No interior for Type approval to take place.

My Blue and the white car assembled and put on the press fleet after T.A.

My car featured in the first UK Road Test for Autocar, followed by the white car in Motor.

Therefore It has been stated by Toyota GB that in all probability my Blue car is the first UK GT4.  No 1

Unless anybody can confirm otherwise?

Regards

Larry 

[madgaz]

That's cool Larry. Good buy there

[Gary ST165]

some good info / research
fao: remember st165 will always be the #1 GT-Four :lol: