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Films:
1973 Toyota TE27 Corolla: Three Decades And Seven Engines Later
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofAT1IdGl90&feature=share
This car belonging to “Big” Mike Muniz is feature by Conner .
Coming soon compliments of FORZA / Xbox
Dear Petrolicious,
Please, please, please do a second installment of Mr. Big Mike’s TE27 feature. My fellow enthusiasts and I here in Japan would like to see a full video feature of his green Sprinter Trueno. We visited California just to see this car at Toyotafest a few months ago. This is a rare model even in Japan. I think only made in 5 months before Toyota changed the look of the exterior of the car. This looks like the car was brought from 1972 to now using a time machine but better, The quality and detail is just WOW! at the show it was just displayed, we want to see it running (maybe saving the rare new old tires and use different wheels). Mr. Big must have very heavy connections to get all the rare new old parts for his car. I don’t know if you do any sequels on your site, please make exception and do one on Mr. Big’s early 1972 Toyota Sprinter.
キープ・ザー・オールド・カー・アライブ
Todd Kaneko
When I was growing up in Japan in the 70s, TE27 was not a car that I paid attention when I was a kid – I mean, after all, it was a Corolla, and my neighborhood happened to have had a lot of rather more interesting (to a young kid like me) cars, like Toyota Sport 800, 2000GT, Mazda Cosmo, Nissan 240Z, Kenmeri GTR, and unforgettable Isuzu 117 Coupé. When I learned to drive in the late 80s in my friend’s AE86, there was this guy in his 40s, I think, who drove his TE27 up and down the mountain. His driving was absolutely beautiful, and it left a huge impression on me, and learned to appreciate TE27 quite a bit.
The cars are cool but Big Mike is even cooler. I’m honored to call him a friend and have all the respect for what he has accomplished. He’s a true enthusiast, a technician of the first order and, most importantly, one of the good guys. I’m going to have to do some serious work to my TE27 before I can let him see it…
Great piece… Japenese Steel is getting a lot of attention these days. Its good to see there are guys like BigMike to do right by these machines. Built a Corralla GT for a buddy when we were in high school. Only Japanese car in our clan. Most hated it until they drove it. What a blast. Great job on the car BigMike and Thank you to those who build the ride that inspires Petrolicious to showcase this great vehicles.
Thank you for the feature on my TE27’s and my rare race engines. It was great working with the Petrolicious. Being featured on this site is on of the items on my bucket list. Thanks for letting me check that one off.
If you want to learn more about the green Toyota behind me on the video, here is a link to that feature:
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/toyotafest-spotlight-mike-munizs-1972-sprinter-trueno/#comment-64950
I’m also on Instagram : BigMikeMuniz
First of all, hello from Portugal – I know why this owner found the part he needed here – Toyota motto “came to stay” back in the 70’s led to a huge stream of Corollas – some are still in good condition and running – I was even offered one 18 years ago – unfortunaletlly I arrived too late…
Mr Muniz, in case you need something for your Toyotas, I can try and see what’s available.
Here’s a link that it may help you in the future
https://www.amigosjaponesesantigos.pt/forum/index.php
This forum is Portuguese and they only deal with old Japanese cars –
Great story and good luck!
Loved this piece! I raced a 1974 TE27 SR5 back when it was new. It later became a rallye car for a couple seasons. While never developed to the extent of Big Mike’s cars, it helped me cut my teeth in motorsport. I would live to have one again today, but as Mike said, very rare. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
