Tercel log #1: introductions and a cleaning

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 11/20/2016 at 01:52 • Filed to: tercel, tercel log

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Instead of posting a daunting laundry list of the needs of my new toy, I will elect to simply post in a solution-oriented manner. Specifically, I may choose to post about things I’ve actually accomplished, rather than a bombardment of “OOOOAAAAUHUHUAAHAUHUHUH Tercel” posts ala my former Celica. Though I’ll be sure to sneak one in here and there.

I guess the big question is: “Hey asshole, is the Tercel really as good as you remember?” No. It’s better than I remember. It’s fun, it’s gutless, it’s tough, it’s comfortable, and it’s awesome. I catch myself with a big smirk on my face whenever I’m behind the wheel. I am... happy!

Even more so, I’m relaxed. I have three other reliable vehicles at my disposal at any time. I carved out room in the garage just to work on my Tercel. I fixed so many things on the last two, that I have faith in my experience. There’s no timeline, no pressure, no expectations. And this time I had a head start. This one is a runner. My first I bought was sitting for two years and didn’t run, and the second one was barely driveable even after I threw a bunch of money at it. This Tercel is best Tercel — so far.

So anyway, first things first. The interior needs a little bit of elbow grease. So it’s time for a quick vacuum and a shampoo.

The back seats almost perfect. But there’s a secret as to why: people who own Tercels also have no friends.

Front seats were not so clean when you get close to them. Luckily they’re still in one piece. That black splotch appears to be roofing tar. I’m not going to lose sleep over it.

Before:

After:

Rear needed a good vacuum. It didn’t look much better when I was finished shampooing, but it’s the effort that counts. Fixed the fasteners and got the carpet to sit tight again though:

Here’s the factory floor mat for the driver’s side. Looks fucked:

Aaaaand it’s pretty fucked. Worn down to the wires. But it is original so I’ll keep it regardless:

In any case, I’m happy with the results.

Thanks for reading.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 01:57

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Thanks, I needed a daily reminder you have a Tercel.

TheHondaBro > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 11/20/2016 at 02:01

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Remember when he had a Celica?

LongbowMkII > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:02

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Maximum plaid.

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:03

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Alright, Oppo pool: I’m putting money on Zoidberg selling it within twelve months.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > TheHondaBro 11/20/2016 at 02:04

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Do I ever.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheHondaBro 11/20/2016 at 02:05

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You’re going to have to make it less of a sucker’s bet. I’d set the over/under at 6 months.

Birddog > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:08

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She’s perfect!

I love that interior. LOVE! “Plaid” and “Houndstooth” needs to make a serious comeback.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Birddog 11/20/2016 at 02:12

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The blue plaid is pretty awesome. Too bad all the blue-colored plastic doesn’t hold it’s color over time.

djgreenlava > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:24

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Is the plastic more of a blue toned grey now? Chalk the sat quality up for a win.

Birddog > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:33

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I wouldn’t expect a 1980 Grand Prix to have perfect plastics (Yeah, I’m looking for a very specific one). I’m not shocked at faded/degraded plastics.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > djgreenlava 11/20/2016 at 02:36

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Worse still: there are several types of plastic throughout the car and they all age differently and dont match each other. Whatever the dash is made of should have been used everywhere else.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Birddog 11/20/2016 at 02:38

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You are correct, I should just be grateful that none of it is cracked

RallyWrench > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:51

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This car would be totally bitchin’ regardless of the interior, but the seat pattern makes it pretty much the greatest car ever.

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 02:59

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it’s so not cool as the liftback tercel.

FIGHT ME

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang 11/20/2016 at 03:01

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Those didn’t come with plaid seats.

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 03:03

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they did

they also came with infinite AWESOME

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 07:26

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I’m gonna call it Terry.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Birddog 11/20/2016 at 09:24

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VW and Porsche are calling your name.

yitznewton > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 10:09

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Whhaaaat, is that fabric original?! Looks amazing!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > yitznewton 11/20/2016 at 13:09

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See, you go into it expecting to see the interior of a 32 year old car. But then you’re impressed when it has the interior of a 20 year old car instead!

cberg > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/20/2016 at 21:08

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My mom’s had the clinometer & the 8 spoke alloys, any idea where your wheels came from?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > cberg 11/20/2016 at 21:47

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Not a clue! They are solid metal caps though... I really want those 8-spokes though

cberg > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/21/2016 at 00:57

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They look damn close to Mazda 323 steelies but the center caps are wrong and the punchout accents aren’t as square. You’re in Seattle, at a guess they might be Renault. I forgot the model but there actually was a congruent Renault.

You’ll never find the SR5 wheels unless I’m wrong and Colorado just eats more Tercels so I say do the next best thing & get OG MR2 ones.

My god man you’re making me jones for my auld Stanza wagovan. :/

Eggplant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/21/2016 at 00:57

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Dude, what’s the bolt pattern on these?

cberg > cberg 11/21/2016 at 01:01

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Unrelated but... SHOW US THE ATM ON THE BACK

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Eggplant 11/21/2016 at 01:02

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Iiiiii dunno.

Eggplant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/21/2016 at 01:17

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Just thinking, might be worth your time to get some period correct alloys, since you’ve got steelies right now.

Orange Torana > Eggplant 12/11/2016 at 00:47

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4x100 35mm offset