Turning an Abandoned AE86 into a SEMA 2019 Build
Supposedly $100k has been dropped in this $400 scrap Corolla. Is it amazing? Yes. It is worth $100k? We aren’t sure.
Everybody knows that SEMA builds can get out of hand fast. Companies either seem to put too much time into them or not enough time at all. We have all seen “bad” builds. The Bluetooth driveshafts, welds that look like abstract paintings, the $80k engine that doesn’t run, you name it. This Toyota is far from one of those builds. It’s absolutely stunning. The workmanship and dedication put into this build are definitely top-notch and deserving of praise.
The fifth-generation Corolla initially gained more mainstream popularity outside of Japan due to its appearance in Initial D. This was an iconic and cultural relevant anime and manga for nearly a decade. The protagonist was known for drifting around his underpowered AE86 Corolla against his rivals and somehow beating them in the canyons all due to pure skill. It is the perfect underdog story. This makes this Corolla the perfect underdog car. We have to admit this particular Corolla does have a very interesting story to tell. Thanks to Hoonigan on YouTube, we get to hear a little bit about that story.
The owner of this 1984 SR5 Toyota AE86 is Rico Gutierrez. When he originally bought what would become this car, he was using it as a parts car for his 1985 Corolla GT-S. He purchased that car for $400. The car ended sitting for over 12 years. Fast forward to 2019, it has an imported BEAMS 4-cylinder from a JDM Altezza in one of the cleanest engine bays imaginable. However, he says he bought that engine for only $900. Where are the other $98,700 dollars then? Let’s get into that.
The N2 body kit featured on this AE86 was hand-made for Gutierrez in Japan and can’t be purchased or made anywhere else in the world. The chassis was stripped bare and media-blasted. After that, it was stitch-welded completely and a full cage was put in as well. The color is of Gutierrez’s own design, supposedly it is a color code he came up with himself. We have to say it is a beautiful shade of gold.
Gurtierrez goes into more detail than we would have ever imagined in the video. If the Corolla interests you, feel free to watch the full video. Some of the details are truly stunning (my personal favorite being the interior). Is it worth $100k? We’ll leave that up for you to decide.
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