Toyota Cressida '79 - My project

Hey.

Im going to talk one of my favorite car here. It's my special project car. Unfotunately today it is waiting her time. Just sitting and waiting when I get time, place and finance to build it. Yeah, I know its sad to look when just standing there where she is...
Actually firstly I had 2 Cressida RX30 (1978 and 1979) older was in very bad shape and so I decided make it to spare parts.
These two find way to me in September 2012. Blue on drived last time 2010 or something. Darker blue was my sister car since 2006-7 aprox. In Estonia it is quite rare car. I know after these two more.

Littlebit history about car.

Cressida
The Corona Mark II was renamed the Toyota Cressida for export markets, and the name Cressida was not used in Japan. Production started in December 1976.[7] The name Mark II was previously identified with the North American Continental Mark II which first appeared in 1956 and the term "Mark" is still associated with Lincoln Motor Company products. It was Toyota's largest sedan and wagon range offered in North America, while the personal luxury coupe wasn't offered. In New Zealand, a two-litre four-cylinder sedan version replaced the six-cylinder Crown in local assembly after the 1970s oil crises prompted the government to impose a 60% sales tax on cars with engines larger than two litres. A few fully built up Crowns were subsequently imported. In other markets, the larger Toyota Crown also remained available.

The name "Cressida" derives from the lead character in William Shakespeare's play Troilus and Cressida, inspired by Cressida, a female Trojan character.

Depending on the market it was sold in, it had the 4M carbureted engine (MX32, MX36), the 18R engine (RX30, RX32, RX35) or 3T engine (TX30). The North American models started with the carbureted 4M engine (MX32) but in mid-1978 the fuel-injected 4M-E replaced its carbureted counterpart – this was one of the first Toyotas in the US to use fuel injection. In 1979, the MSRP in the US was US$9,190. In New Zealand, where it was locally assembled and sold in a highly specified GL form (replacing the 2.8-litre Crown which had been hit by high sales taxes on two-litre-plus engine sizes), it had the 18R engine.

Standard features included air conditioning, automatic transmission (a 5-speed manual was available), power steering, rear seat armrests, AM/FM cassette stereo with amplifier, reclining front seats, and a rear window defroster. The automatic transmission was a four-speed overdrive with an overdrive lockout. Power windows were optional. Soundproofing was extensive, and the Cressida was famous for being one of the quietest cars on the road at the time.[citation needed]

In the United Kingdom, the Cressida was available in both sedan and wagon body styles. The only engine available was the 18R and there was one trim level, badged De Luxe. Contrary to popular belief,[by whom?] it was not the same as DX specifications on other Toyota cars, but a more upmarket version of the DX trim level. The Toyota Carina sedan and wagon also sold in the United Kingdom at this time were also badged as De Luxe (but rebadged as DX from 1980 onwards).

South African Cressidas all received the 2.0-litre 18R engine, and were introduced in November 1977.[10] The engine was built in South Africa by Toyota's Motor Assemblies subsidiary. Originally only a fully equipped L version was available, with a lower-priced semi-deluxe version appearing in the first month of 1978. A station wagon, Toyota's first in South Africa, appeared in August 1978. It was available in either semi-deluxe or full deluxe trim, the latter only as an automatic.
Information taken from wikipedia.

Here are pictures about my Cressida.
Day when I bought her and taking home.

When I got her, then she had Ford 2.3 non turbo diesel engine. :/ Like seriously.... !?

I started with brakes renovation.

Later I removed Ford diesel engine and took original 2.0R4 engine 18R-C from light blue Cressida. I cleaned all parts piece by piece and painted engine room.

Pics about under hood

Some pics about how looked some parts before and after cleaning.

I installed original engine.

Toyota Corolla radiator, original had seen days...

Almost finished engine room

Thats how look finished engine room and working!!!

My first driving! I wanted so badly to drive with it! So no critital comments about body :D :D :D

I drived with her whole summer and it was pure 100% enjoy! It was 2013. For now it just staying and waiting when I can find some place where I can start with bodyworks. Some pics from nowaday..... yeah, I know it looks bad and sad...also waiting lottery win to finish body works. I looked long time what kind of color to paint it and I found one nice orange. Originally it is from Nissan. I experimented on hood and you see it on pics.
Don't judge me! :)

I had luck and I had possible to buy new heart to her. Its not a secret. It is Lexus 4.0 V8 1UZFE. I hope to fit it! I got engine with a lot of extra. It's from first gen LS400

So thats how looks my best favorite car. Fingers grossed I can win with lottery to finished it.
Thank you about your time and attention.
Who has too much money over then you can donate! Hahaha ;) ;) Just kidding!