Toyota MR2 MKIII
1984 Michelotti PAC
Owned by Malcolm Mckay (Mmckays@aol.com) Time owned Eight months Miles this month 0 Costs this month £80 Previously Malcolm takes custody of a unique show prototype, unseen since the Eighties
Unveiling the Michelotti PAC to the approving crowd of microcar fans in early September, when we hosted the National Microcar Rally on our fields, was a highlight – but I had pushed my luck by driving it even a short distance with the bottom of the radiator spewing out water after its 35 years in storage. It’s strange that it corroded so badly because the rest of the prototype seems to have survived the decades corrosion-free. I’m hoping that the corrosion hasn’t affected the engine internals too.
There was no time to look at it further after the NMCR, because I had to get the E-type ready for its Pyrenees adventure, but I did spend some time online looking for parts. Fortunately, even though the 550/600cc Daihatsu Cuore/mira/charade range that it’s based on has almost disappeared from Britain’s roads, service parts are still kicking around and I found a brand new radiator for £78.
I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t be the correct part – who knows the exact origins of the rolling bodyshell that Daihatsu supplied to Michelotti? – but when the Valeo box turned up, I was delighted to find the radiator inside was almost 100 per cent identical to the original, with all orifices the same. Just a couple of small strengthening ribs on the header tank added to the original spec.
It was also exceptionally easy to replace. There is a neat plastic screw plug for draining – not that there was much to drain – and I just had to release the spring clips holding the three rubber hoses, undo two bolts at the top and unclip the electric fan wiring. The radiator then lifted off a neat clip at the bottom. Once out, I could unbolt and swap the fan.
With the radiator out of the way, I sprayed all accessible areas of the front subframe with wax spray; typical of Japanese-market cars, it was just painted with no extra protection. I plan to wax-spray the whole of the underside before using the car in earnest – it seems the most sympathetic way to preserve its originality. Fortunately I bought a bulk box of Comma Wax Seal a while ago.
While taking a look under the front, I spotted another problem – the thin steel band that holds the outer driveshaft gaiter on the driver’s side had broken, and the gaiter had pulled itself off the hub. Fortunately this was easily and inexpensively fixed with a cable tie.
The radiator and fan then went back in and were easily connected up; I made sure to put more than adequate antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor in with the distilled water when I refilled the system.
The carburettor must still have some dried old fuel restricting it, because the engine was reluctant to start. It burst into life with Easy Start, however, then ran strongly with the choke out. It warmed up fully with no leaks, but still refused to run without choke. I’ll put some Redex in with the fuel at the next fill and see if that helps.