Koen's 86 - every drive a new issue

[Koen Bongers]

So I've decided to start a project thread since I like these forums and participating keeps them alive (at least a bit ). I don't post much because I usually forget to take pictures. But here's a try

This was my first AE86. Bought it from marktplaats.nl after someone added an advertisement without pictures but a text that could be an 86. Got it from an older gentleman who imported it from Germany as a crashed car in 1985. He fixed it, drove it and sold it in 2009 (to me).


I kept it for about 2 years and then sold it through this forum in december 2011. Big mistake, huge regrets but other priorities

So it took a few years to get another one but eventually I did in december 2021. Exacly 10 years later (as predicted https://www.aeu86.org/forum/Thread-te-ko...#pid128681 ) I got the green Levin 3-door.


Took it home and drove it off the trailer and it broke down. Never really found the real fault but it led to some escalation so in the last 3 years it was in the workshop being fixed so I was able to take a picture at the same gasstation in 2024.


Went to the dyno to make it run properly again

So it could do this

And it was finally ready to drive again this year. It survived it's first long drive to 86Dach (no picture since I forgot to take any ) and of course I found some new issues.

To do list;
- plug holes in the firewall so rain stays outside
- move the rear-axle a bit to the left so the right tire should stop rubbing
- find and fit a TRD-style wing (or even better; a complete fiber hatch with the wing integrated)
- find and fit kouki headlights

In the mean time I wanted to go to 86Fest with my own AE86. The green car was still in pieces (and very uncomfortable) so the best solution is then to find another one. With the help of a fellow 86 enthousiast I found a clean and pretty original example in Belgium.


Bought it on 15 august 2024, got it registered, APK/TUV/MOT and took the gamble and drove it to Ireland 2 weeks later. It survived did the 'parade lap' and after fitting new injectors at Flo's it was able to make it back to the Netherlands


After that I had some time this winter to fix all the issues found. New brake pads/seals, new shocks + springs and a new exhaust


After another testdrive new issues were found and added to the to do list;
- install new valve-seals
- find and fit 14x7 ~ET0 Watanabe/Minilite/Superlite or similar wheels
- paint new bootcover without holes for the spoiler
- fit new fuel-level-sender
- connect radio
- find a Trueno