Restoration and modification of 1978 Cressida, my first ever project car

[pakistan5]

Assalam o Alaikum everyone,
Before I continue, I want to emphasize an important point. I've been a long-time user of Pakwheels but haven't posted much because I never had anything significant to share. This is my first-ever topic about my first-ever project car. So, I humbly request that if anything I say or do is inappropriate for this forum, please let me know gently.
I've always been drawn to car restoration projects, and now, at 47, I realized I needed to pursue this passion before it was too late. So I bought this 1978 model Toyota Cressida and started restoring it a year ago and after lots of sweat and heartache I finally achieved what I was dreaming about. I have made a short video of the restoration and then the final product but unfortunately it seems that videos are not supported on the forum. I will attach photos for the time being but please do let me know if there is way of attaching videos....

[pakistan5]

Some more restoration pics

[pakistan5]

After restoration pics

Uploading... Uploading... Uploading...

[afarooqi]

Congratulation on the project. It is one of my favorite models.
My 2 cents are:
- Car should be lowered from rear, as in original factory height
- Different rim sizes are looking odd, rear should have similar to front ones, front one looks good.
- from pictures, it seems like rear wheels are wider than front one, IMO, doesnt look nice
- screw on door card make the scene OFF.

[pakistan5]

Thank you, @afarooqi. I'm very impressed by your comments. You have a very critical eye, Masha Allah. I'll try to address all the points you made. I'm even more impressed by the way you pointed out those shortcomings without being condescending

[nfsmostwanted]

MashaaAllah wonderful project
This model of Cressida looks the best to me

Love it!

[pakistan5]

Thank you so much @nfsmostwanted

[soubanafrozoffice]

Masha Allah seems nicely built, what was your budget for the car? how much did it take you for the restoration?

[soubanafrozoffice]

I can see the interior seems pretty cool, it is re-upholstered right? are the interior plastic parts like the dashboard etc repainted or have upholstery, i was wondering if u can converted the hard plastic dashes to be covered with something like a softer fabric or leather etc.. so its more cozier and dont get too cold or too hot like plastic parts

[soubanafrozoffice]

Like is it possible to remake the interior of a Khyber or 86 corolla in high-end materials like, velvet or alacantra or wool in everyplace like luxury cars for e,g: headliner, Pillars, dashboards, interior trims, side handles, etcc ? and the estimate cost,
also is it possible to remodel existing dashboards? And Do you think it is a Cool idea? is it feasible? Personally I think its worth it to spend a lakh on an interior to convert a khyber's cabin into something more cushiony i(ncluding seats) customising it to ones own taste etc..

[soubanafrozoffice]

If you need a suggestion for another project car, you can get an old crown like the boxy shaped before 1990 (1980s) Where is your residence like in what city? if you dont mind me asking, I've always wanted to restore cars too,,, opening a proper restoration business with all the essentials in one place.. like skilled labour and heavy machinery, what do you think?

[soubanafrozoffice]

Btw you did a really good job at the restoration hands down.... We need more people like you sir, : )

[pwuser164163568474]

I kept getting ads for a US company that created alcantara wraps to be used anywhere like steering wheels, dashboards, seats etc. I would assume you could find chinese varieties of these online

[sardarg]

[Roshan3]

Hi! Hope you guys are doing welI.
I plan to build a 1977-79 Toyota Cressida Sedan. I wish to put down either a 1JZ-GTE, 2JZ-GTE or a 1UZ-FE engine in the vehicle. What is the approximate expense including suspension upgrade and cost of change of transmission.
Regards,

[produb405]

1jzgte will cost you like 1,50lac with auto tranny but if you want manual, r154 is way too expensive and not available here, its gonna cost you another 1,5lac, gotta get w58, dont know the price,you'll need to upgrade your brakes and suspension too,you can put r32 brakes, suspension i dont know,you will need costum engine mounts and ive read something about subframe too, not sure now, and yes a good diff to handle the power, Im not an expert, do ask an expert or an owner of a 2jz 1jz etc.i just can't see an unanswered thread

[pwuser15084184818]

Hey there!

Glad to see the car culture is booming in pakistan!

I'd recommend you give a visit to your local junk yard to see if you can find a crashed Mark 2 with either a 1JZ or 2JZ in it. They are not the GTE variants but they should cost you a lot less. Then keep saving money up and buy a turbo kit for it (DO NOT BUY CHEAP THAILAND CRAP). You'll have a good amount of horsepower. As for the transmission, you could just use your stock one with an adapter (DO NOT RECOMMEND IT, better to use one off the mark 2). You will need to do a lot of fab work espescially engine mounts....... so quite honestly just bother with it. It'll be headache!

[asfandyar.rashid]

Here is the perfect Cressida resto-mod.Craftsmanship at its extreme.Japanese level restoration.https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/toyota-cressida-2jz-monster-in-making/110349/570

[umerafzal127]

Hello, it's the end of 2024 and I'm considering building a project car. Toyota Cressida 1991 (mx83) with 3uz-fe V8, I'm looking for a reliable build with 300-350 wheel Hp that I can sometimes daily drive as well. Can someone please guide me about the cost of this project so I can determine whether to pursue this project

[dani_kk]

Dear Umer, the engine nowadays is around 10-12lacs and offset cost of the swap will take it to 15-16lac
And extras or body work might take it to 20ish or so