Barely Legal : Mark’s Monster Corolla

Looking like it comes straight from the world of Mad Max is this 1975 Corolla submitted by Mark from Southern California. This is a car I’ve actually seen in person on a couple of occasions at events, and it’s definitley not a car you forget. In fact my only complaint would be that there’s usually too many people crowded around the car to get a good look at it. Fortunately, Mark shot us an email with a few photographs and bit of the story behind this crazy project.

Let’s jump right to the heart of Mark’s Corolla – the motor setup. That’s a Lexus 1uZFE V8 topped with an M112 supercharger from an SVT Cobra Mustang and mated to a T56 6-speed from a Camaro. The headers, along with the intake manifold were custom-fabricated for the swap. The car is still under construction, so Mark hasn’t yet had a chance to see what kind of power his Frankenstein powerplant is making.

The work for the engine swap is just one small part of the immense amount of fabrication that’s been invested in this car. The entire chassis has been fabbed from scratch essentially, with front and rear suspension from a Lexus SC. The differential itself is a Torsen unit sourced from a fourth generation Supra.

While you might think a car built to this level would be for track use only, the Corolla is actually registered and street legal here in the wonderful state of California. Mark still plans to do some work to make the car more street friendly, and to tackle the interior. The goal is to eventually have a car he can commute to work in occasionally, while at the same time being able to beat up on pricey exotic machinery at the track.

The choice of matte black paint is perfect to accentuate the rear over fenders and the enormous 285 width tires tucked beneath them. I’m guessing I’m not the only one thinking we might have to arrange a full shoot with Mark once he makes some more progress on this beast?

If you have a cool car or build story that you think is worthy of being featured on Speedhunters, drop us a line at featurethis@dev.speedhunters.com . Please make sure to include your name and location, as well as some basic details and specs, along with at least 5-10 photographs. Photos should be no less than 800 pixels wide and in .JPG format.

-Mike

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1

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

2

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

3

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

4

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

5

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

6

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

7

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

8

1uzfe's are becoming a popular swap. This is ultra creative nice build!

9

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

10

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

11

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

12

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

13

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

14

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

15

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

16

Definately need a full feature! What a beast!

17

Damn! Would love to hear that supercharged engine, kinda reminds me of a Mustang up front.

18

This is Amazzzing!!!! Not just a 1uz shoe horned into a rolla but a full on build, if i would change 1 thing its the wheels but each to there own.
Congrats to the builder

19

Yeah just needs diff wheels and make the front flares fit better
 

20

Saw this on youtube awhile back. Buncha people calling it out as fake in the comments cause it sounds different to what you'd expect but I knew it was real! :D Looking forward to the full feauture! Looks amazing.

21
inspector_exacto

This looks like it would beat up your kids and take their lunch money right in front of you, then just stare you down into submission. I love that.

22

I hate matte black because it seems to be on everything, but oh dear god, please do a feature on this thing!

23

@KietaPhillips
Good call it kinda does

24

Lol does the 2nd pic show fluid "gauges" on the dash?

25
reginald_reginald

mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

26

Those are brake and clutch fluid resevoirs. It's not uncommon on swapped cars or race cars to move the master cylinders and fluid resevoirs into the passenger compartment to keep them cool and save space in the engine compartment. 

27

 @inspector_exacto straight up Bully! hahaha

28

Nice thanks. Looks kinda cool too I think.

29

Now this is epic !

30

This is mega-sized super cool to the Nth degree, I totally love it and had an LS1FC in the same spirit as this. Beautiful creation adn cant wait for more info and in depth coverage!

31
FDwishihadasupra

mark has around 6 vids of the corolla posted up on youtube http://youtu.be/1xGCkeyWmcI  sweet ride. one of his vids has him driving around without the body.

32

 @Rü$╫  One of the few things that bother me about this build is how long it has taken.  When I started there were hardly any UZ swapped cars (and only two Corollas that I knew of)--but that was six years ago.  Now they are popular.   I was more ahead of the trend than some people might think, but it's not that big of a deal.

33

@markstoys Haha you won't have to worry about anyone one upping you for awhile or even copying your build.

1uz's are ultra reliable and everywhere considering the amount of them being driven around in oakland/bay area without proper care or maintaince that's probably the reason why do many people decide to go with the 1uz.

I know how you feel about people copying things, it's inevitable though...haha your light years ahead with the setup you have.

Hope to see it in person sometime!

34

How hard is it to register a car like this with such an extreme engine swap? I thought the rule was that the engine, being swapped in, had to have been offered in that particular model by the manufacturer. Has this changed?

35

 @MattAtDoyle Depends on where you are.  In California, for 1975 and earlier models,  they don't really care about the motor.  The car is registered by the body.  As far as the state is concerned, this is just another 75 Corolla.

36

 @markstoys  @MattAtDoyle Good to know.

37
WilliamCannady

too fly, i think i saw this car in some very early stages while searching for 1uz swaps on you tube

38

YES! Please feature it in the future!

39

those cobra blowers make a blissful noise 

40

SWEET!!! I'll have one of these please!
and the craziest thing about this sweet ride?... 
The "NO STYLE" sticker on the visor! Hahaha! 
Mark, you sir are a genius!
 

41

I appreciate the work put in, but i'd rather rock it without the SC and teh modern wheels...

42

@uhalevi @asianmartin oh man, that is sick. Mini Mad Max!

43

@uhalevi @asianmartin oh man, that is sick. Mini Mad Max!

44

@AsianMartin Hot cannolis, they exist too.

45

@AsianMartin Hot cannolis, they exist too.

47
JamesRichardDavis

Just saw this on Amazon: The Short Stories of Charles Dickens by Charles Dickens http://amzn.to/1MoetyU via @amazon

48
DaveSuperDaveLyon

I'd sure like to see some follow up photos of this car.

49

So good! Matt Farrah driving "No Style" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMAy7Z6zys

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