If the Datsun 1600 is Australia's clubman rally car, then it's fair to say that (the Ford Escort aside), New Zealand's is the Toyota Starlet.
Small, nimble and rear-wheel drive, the cars have become a staple of New Zealand rallying over the years, and their popularity continues unabated.
I first remember seeing Starlets running at Rally New Zealand in the mid 1980s, driven with flair and speed by drivers of the ilk of Ray Wilson.
Tony McConachy's rebuilt Toyota Starlet will produce at least 280bhp. Photo: Scott Johnson
Thirty-five years later, Starlets are still favourites with not only competitors, but the rally fans who line the stages.
While some stick with the 'classic' Starlet spec that includes Toyota engines, others, like Tony McConachy, choose to bolt high-revving Suzuki Hayabusa engines into their cars.
The result is not only a car with more power, but one that sounds incredible.
McConachy – widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s Starlet gurus – has owned his Starlet since 2001, but for the past three years it has been undergoing a complete restoration.
"It's been a rally car since 1984 and had four owners before me," McConachy says.
McConachy's workshop is like a trip to Heaven for Starlet fans.
"I purchased it in 2001 and installed a stock standard Suzuki Hayabusa engine into it in 2006."
He's been competitive in the car for many years, including finishing sixth outright at the 2009 Hawkes Bay Rally, a round of the New Zealand Rally Championship.
The current rebuild, due to be completed in a couple of months, is 80 per cent done, and from the looks of the attached photos, will be a work of art.
The seam welded body has a comprehsive roll cage with extensive floor and rear fabrication to the rear turrets. On the outside, it has fibreglass flares and a Toyota TRD copy rear wing.
Under the bonnet, the 1320cc Hayabusa engine runs a Rotrex supercharger, Carrillo rods, Wossner pistons, A.P.E stud kit and A.P.E uprated valve springs, all combining to produce a mind-numbing 280+ brake horsepower!
"The supercharger is a new addition," McConachy says.
"The predominantly stock engine was previously producing 180hp. Now, with new Wossner pistons Carillo rods and cams, it will easily produce 280hp at 9psi of boost."
It's driven through a standard Hayabusa transmission, but that comes in the form of a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Enough to give you a gear for every possible situation.
The car's modified front crossmember has fabricated arms fitted to MacPherson struts with MCA canister shock absorbers, while a live axle rear end sports a 4-link system with Watts linkage.
Large 4-pot front callipers with vented rotors on the front help slow the rocket-ship down, with 2-pot callipers and solid rotors on the rear.
Hayden Paddon's Winmax brake pads complete the package.
The end result will be pretty much as good as a Starlet can get. Neat, purposeful, powerful and, without a doubt, a real crowd favourite.
It may not be a 'classic' Starlet like was rallied in the 1980s, but a splashing of Kiwi ingenuity ensures that McConachy's car has many rallies ahead of it.
Note: We'll have a special feature on another NZ Starlet in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
TECH SPEC
BODY: 1984 Toyota Starlet. Full restoration 80% completed. Seam welded, roll caged with extensive floor and rear fabrication to rear turrets. Fuel box and 4-link boxes. Fibreglass flares and TRD copy wing.
ENGINE: 1320cc Suzuki Hayabusa, supercharged by Rotrex. Carrillo rods, Wossner pistons, A.P.E stud kit, A.P.E uprated valve springs.
TRANSMISSION: Stock Hayabus transmission, 6-speed sequential, Billet steel clutch, uprated shift shafts.
SUSPENSION: Modified front crossmember with fabricated arms. MacPherson strut front, MCA canister shock. Live rear axle with fabricated rear canister shocks in conjunction with RG3. 4-link in rear with Watts linkage.
BRAKES: AP 4-pot front callipers on vented rotors. 2-pot rear callipers on solid rotors. Winmax pads all round.
WHEELS & TYRES: 6x15 Nissan alloys with 185/65 Dunlop rally tyres.
SPONSORS / PROJECT ASSISTANCE: Stringfellows Civil Contractors, R.D. 8, Custom Metal, Geartech, TOMAC Engineering, 247 Motorsport Plumbing Supplies NZ.
Visit Tony's Facebook page here:Â https://www.facebook.com/hayabusarallystarlet/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G60ZmHzbThM&feature=youtu.be
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Under the bonnet, the 1320cc Hayabusa engine runs a Rotrex supercharger, Carrillo rods, Wossner pistons, A.P.E stud kit and A.P.E uprated valve springs, all combining to produce a mind-numbing 280+ brake horsepower!
"The supercharger is a new addition," McConachy says.
It's driven through a standard Hayabusa transmission, but that comes in the form of a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Enough to give you a gear for every possible situation.
The car's modified front crossmember has fabricated arms fitted to MacPherson struts with MCA canister shock absorbers, while a live axle rear end sports a 4-link system with Watts linkage.
Large 4-pot front callipers with vented rotors on the front help slow the rocket-ship down, with 2-pot callipers and solid rotors on the rear.
Hayden Paddon's Winmax brake pads complete the package.
The end result will be pretty much as good as a Starlet can get. Neat, purposeful, powerful and, without a doubt, a real crowd favourite.
It may not be a 'classic' Starlet like was rallied in the 1980s, but a splashing of Kiwi ingenuity ensures that McConachy's car has many rallies ahead of it.
Note: We'll have a special feature on another NZ Starlet in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G60ZmHzbThM&feature=youtu.be
