My Cressida

Its been 10 years now since we bought this car (we are the 3rd owner). Just got this from our family friend and I was too excited the moment we're told that we can get the car. I still remember the feeling when I first open our gate and the first time she moved into the garage. She's really a beauty!
Despite of her dull paint, dirty tires and wheels, weathered tints, and some rust on bumpers (and everywhere). I could see what she will look like once I get my hands on her.
From that moment I never stopped the never ending cleaning, polishing and detailing. I was lucky to find out that she was painted with Anzhal Urethane paint.
My dream is to have a full restoration of my Cressida, but with a limited budget during those years. I just get satisfied doing it on my own, the poor man's way. Good thing I've got lots of time. After a few months keeping my hands dirty, my friends was amazed on how I made her a head turner despite of the cool cars around.
Now, that dream is becoming a reality.
I have just brought her to one of the best shop in my place. Thankful that I found this car shop near my place where they restore classic cars.

The pictures below shows all the hours I've spent in the garage with her. The 3M Magic tint was given to me by my cousine. The windshield was fully tinted before, but when I left for work last year. It was my dad who often drive the car and he's not comfortable driving at night with that tint. So I have that portion removed.

Here you can clearly see the extended bumper. I wanted the 5mph bumper but as I have mentioned..budget is toooo limited. So I made my own 5mph bumper. Easy and cheap, remove the bumper, remove and cut the bumper support/holder. Then add a piece of metal (about 2in in length) then have someone weld it together with bumper support. Then I have my bumper extended for 2in!. I still wanted to extend it up to 3in but...... you know!

Same thing I did with the rear bumper, have it extended to 2in.
Noticed the red marker light? it's a cheap one too and installed it myself. I tought of it for a whole day if it's worth to cut a hole on my Cressida to install this cheap lamps. Hmmm, she looks much better at night.

Clearlamps is a new trend!..I made one for her. I was very careful making that big hole on her tail lamps just to fit the cheap clear covers that I bought. Well, the result was great and some guys kept asking me where did I get it. But again, those were just cheap clear lamps that I bought so after a few months.. it's weathered.

Here's the close up shot of the front. I have painted the grill body color to make it adapt a little on the new car fashion, while keeping its classic beauty.

There's a lot of things that I did to make her look like what she is right now. The 17in wheels with Forenza 17-55-195 was only acquired last year adding that fun to drive feeling.

Sorry I don't have the pictures of the engine and interior.
The engine bay is where I also spent lots of hours cleaning and polishing. The cleaning alone lasted for more than 2 weeks using a mixture of kerosene/ dishwashing soap and laundy soap , I need to remove a number of parts to reach some tight spots. After that, cats can sleep comfortably under the hood :-)

For the interior, at first I airbrushed it to have a simulated wood effect and added wood trims around the door panel to match the airbrushed design on the dashboard. But soon after, I get bored with that wood effect around me, so painted the plastic panels inside with white Anzahl urethane paint to make it stick on the plastic. I also disassembled the gauges and painted it white too. Then I covered the black leather door panels with white leather to make the interior more liveley. I also tried for the first time to make my own fiber glass door panel speakers. And it was a success. Thanks for the gents who posted some DIY tips on fiber glass making.
Got some few cash to set up the sound system (Big thanks to my sisters!)and make her throw out some deep bass while cruising...sorry again I don't have the pictures for the sound set-up. I acquired the amplifiers 2nd hand from my good friend who owns a cool Mazda 323 before. the speakers where the cheap but with nice quality sound.. though not good for competition.

Well, she's now in the car shop. And I will have to wait 3-4 months. But right now I am busy hunting for some parts and accessories. The first one is the engine.... she's powered by an 18R engine as of now, any suggestions if it is good to swap to 18RG? I'm just a little worried about the rising cost of fuel.

I will upload some pictures of the progress of my cherished Cressida soon.
Thanks for looking!!