1977 Toyota Corolla Update Vlog - Wheels, Bumpers, & Carbs... oh my!

Remember that classic Toyota Corolla I bought back in April? Over the summer I did a lot of fixes, swaps, and upgrades to bring it back to reliable running & driving condition! I figured an update video was well overdue, so let's catch up on what we've done and what we have planned for the future!
TWITCH: / kurtjmac
TWITTER: / kurtjmac
INSTAGRAM: / kurtindeed
PATREON: / kurtjmac
Music: Dan Le Sac - Closer - 63 Days
danlesac.bandc...

[@trr94001]

Don’t mess with the color. Brown on yellow is a serious 70’s color scheme.

[@andysim232]

My summer car Kurt edition.

[@markhatch1267]

As someone who has worked with cars professionally and as a serious hobby, I think this is one of the best examples of the spirit of preserving and enjoying an automobile I have seen.

[@ColonelRPG]

Right?! :)

[@aria8928]

Before messing with the AC I would suggest installing an electric radiator fan. They help alot.

[@TheDaytona9999]

An absolutely gorgeous vintage Japanese machine, Mr. Mac. The wheels fit the car incredibly well! Learning manual transmission comes with time and patience. But once you’ve mastered it, I guarantee you’ll never want to go back.

[@Rentta]

Unless you get a job which includes / leads to lot of driving in traffic. Stop and start traffic is so much more manageable with auto.

[@Cadwaladr]

The hat looks good. If the youtube thing stops paying the bills, you can always get a job as a longshoreman.

[@bradbugieda8226]

Hi Kurt, this video is great! I like to think I had something to do with inspiring a corolla update?? So many great additions and modifications since the last video, I like hearing stories of the projects through flob but getting to see the finished work in a video is way better. The tachometer job looks fantastic, I love the stock look, it think most people would think that car came from the factory like that! I used to own a 1995 corolla and now my fiance has a 2018, it is strange how familiar the interior of yours seems, you can almost feel the styling morphing through the years. A word of advice from someone who has made these mistakes before; don't take the AC out! If the engine is getting hot there is something wrong with the engine cooling system and taking out the AC condenser won't help very much unfortunately (unless lots of the fins in the condenser are bent over/clogged). It is rare to see a car from 1977 with an AC system that works so if you can avoid it, don't take it out, you might want to fix it one day and its MUCH harder to put stuff back in that it is to take them out. The car looks great, inside and out, keep up the great work. Very jealous over here, I hope I've been some help, enjoy the ride!

[@NFSCalex]

Kurt, this car is awesome! I used to watch your driving blogs, it's a big upgrade!

[@pix5]

Will you be on Beef's podcast, My First Car? It seems a natural fit.

[@deangibbons9351]

I had one of these. Nice to see someone restore one. These more utilitarian 70’s don’t get a lot of love, but they were neat little cars.

[@estavog]

Hat looks good Kurt.

[@kotababy8008]

this car, paint, and ride is totally my style. id love to find a project like this to work on in the future (when i can afford it better) hat looks great btw

[@MetalMaggot46]

Dannnnggggg kurt. She's lookin perdy

[@FakeButt]

The car is amazing and you've really improved it a lot. I know it does not feel like much when you just list it but look at it the other way - you have spend many hours working on it and these are not hours wasted. You've learned new stuff and improved yourself (not just the car )

[@carls8286]

Awesome! My first car was a -76 Corolla. Same color as yours. It rusted like hell, but ran great. I didnt think there were any left honestly. Cool!

[@reallist8050]

Mine was ‘77 rusted up yellow w/ black mint interior. Great stereo with cassette. Paid $500 and drove it for years. Loved that car. I had it in the late 80s

[@TheYoman1223]

Just a driver tip for driving stick, you might not wanna leave a car out of gear when you park it, even thou you use the e-brake. Sometimes those dont exactly stop them from rolling haha. Car looks nice, cant wait to see more!

[@xraceboyex]

especially with an old car that's sat a long time ':D he didn't mention anything about checking out the brakes, that kinda scares me haha

[@TheYoman1223]

@@xraceboyex Lmao that was my thoughts too, and it being such a clean car for how old it is I would hate to see it damaged over something so easily preventable lol.

[@ConeDodger240]

lol funny story, when I was there visiting I left the car in gear, I always have it's just become a habit of mine. Welll Kurt didn't know this, and 70's cars don't have clutch safety switches. I almost got run over by a starting corolla :D

[@TheYoman1223]

@@ConeDodger240 Lmao I mean at least nothing bad happened but you gotta love the joys of beginner stick drivers. When I learned how to drive stick it was in a 86 Ranger and I almost did that same thing but over a parking brick XD

[@ConeDodger240]

Hey I rember that road..I miss those roads already.

[@ConeDodger240]

I'm really glad I cleaned that engine bay now.

[@ConeDodger240]

lol was that someone asking about it at the end

[@kurtjmac]

@@ConeDodger240 Yeah, guy at the gas station. "Woah, you did the interior all up nice too!" Yes. Yes I did.

[@maverickperram8435]

G'day Mr Kurt, what a smashing little car you have. Certainly not your typical "buzz box", for indeed it has much character and individuality, much like that snazzy hat gives yourself. May I be as so crude as to offer a name, "Nesbitt" perhaps? Jolly good work, can't wait for another update! Your friend down under, Maverick

[@qwertykevin1]

Man dude. This car is incredibly clean, I really like those wheels, and want that bumper too

[@1biggun712]

My first car was a 1977 Toyota Corolla with a 5-speed manual. It only had a heater and am/fm 4-speaker radio. Great car, I traveled across the USA. Keep on keeping on 👍👍

[@keaganknapp2237]

Thats a clean little car you got there Kurt!

[@BRAMMOTO]

The hat is good, but the beard is great. I like the car too.

[@ryancaldwellracing]

Kurt, I think I said this on your last corolla video, but see if you can get a pair of JDM fender mirrors. I think it would look really cool, so since you want to replace the mirrors anyway.

[@eyeswideopen67]

I've had a 97 corolla which I used until 2008 then got a 2009 corolla...I love them...I love this one you have the design of it.

[@fatherjimbo]

The hat looks amazing man.

[@BreonNagy]

Front camera was ok. Rear cam was better, with the image stabilization. If you could practice using the back cam pointing at yourself, it'd be awesome.

[@toolkit71]

Initial video reminded me of a Mark Whalburg 80's bank robbery movie where Kurt was the getaway driver....in a Corolla :). I love what you have done and that engine reminds me so much of my 1980 RWD Corolla I had. Loved working on that thing, it was baby blue so the parts probably wouldn't match, but I did have the hand break cover on mine....never thought to add a tachometer to the missing clock in mine as well.... Also mine didn't have air conditioning since we don't use it much in Canada. Love your channel. Keep it up.

[@amadeus484]

Very nice. The car sounds and looks wonderful. I am sure it is your baby, your pride and joy.

[@LostieTrekieTechie]

It's such a beautiful color.

[@antonyingram]

The car looks great Kurt. Should be even better once you find that rear bumper and dye some of the brown elements black - though the risk with that is that you’ll then have to find some black seat covers (or entirely new seats) to match...

[@cartoonist1975]

seeing this makes me think of my dad. same mustard yellow colored celica GT and corolla wagon both stock nothing worng that he traded in when i could of kept both. it was nice to go on a ride along with the back seat view! make more like this . truly don't make em like this no more

[@brandon112ify]

Your hat and your car are great!!

[@sirkokrisz]

I just randomly came across with this video, this car looks really nice, but since you are only now learning a standard transmisson: when you are at a red light, don't leave it in 1st gear with the clutch pressed down, this will hurt it. Instead, put it into natural

[@GawdOfThunder]

Love it. I bought an identical 1976 corolla brand new way back with the same color.

[@ColonelRPG]

My aunt has a wrecked 80s Datsun Sunny. I wonder if the visors are the same. I'll check it out and let you know.

[@nitsuj3117]

Wow it's been a minute since u got the Corolla. It's SOO clean. Love it brudda

[@ThaMythbuster]

Wow Kurt, that thing is so clean and runs so nicely, love it! And you've done so much good work with it, everything you've done looks as if it came like that from the factory, I'm very impressed :) Wouldn't take out the AC to be honest, purely out of originality point of view and all that. Must be a way to make it run good without taking off original parts :)

[@rianmcfie7633]

I bought a very similar Corolla new in 1976. Same color with the mighty 1200cc engine. That was my first brand new car.

[@legendsofcornwall]

Wow! Forza horizon 5 looks amazing

[@ampinstein]

Cool to see all the work you've done. I'm glad you're not being all purist about the restoration as those wheels look super sweet. Lastly, excellent choice of music, Closer is epic :)

[@osvalcs_]

what a wonderful car! Just can't wait to have a classic car like that. Awesome

[@jadesprite]

i like your new knob, kurt!

[@TheElaborinth8993]

"I beg your pardon?"

[@ColonelRPG]

4:12 victory!

[@DeadReckon]

It's not aluminum, but if you check rockauto.com they have a brand new radiator for $100. Also consider swapping the thermostat for an alternate temperature 160 degree thermostat. It may have a 190 in it, if so dropping it to a 180 may help. Be warned however the heat sucks a bit with a 160, but you don't drive it much in the winter so that's not a huge issue. Also the water pump may be getting weak causing this car to run warm. I'd spend a bit more chasing that down than anything else, I have a mysterious invisible coolant leak on my truck. Can't find it to save my life but coolant is vanishing, don't think I have a blown head gasket. Great work on the car man, I enjoy seeing non-car people become car people this way, sort of a trial by fire.

[@TheSpectre223]

You've got yourself a nice car there mate, enjoy it!

[@MagicAccent]

Hah nice! I drive a 98 corolla. Built like a tank hehe.

[@hapuw]

hat looks great!

[@JDAbelRN]

Fascinating job, I owned 77 corolla sr5 shift, blue. Love it.

[@ronisworld2916]

i'm drooling with envy! that bumper can easily be found in the Philippines as well.

[@black2lemonade]

Sup bro do you know where I can find ke30 parts?

[@lucywucyyy]

id love to see more videos on this thing, even videos showing your modifications and stuff to the car

[@Wraithdagger]

COOKIES!

[@MGAFFY]

You could buy some aftermarket cooling fans off ebay if your having cooling problems, I switched to a full aluminum radiator after blowing 3 stock radiators on my neon, so far it runs cooler than usual and haven't had any issues with it yet. Definitely worth it in my opinion, but I got it for a really good deal, and you don't have to use a stock replacement radiator, you could get a full aluminum Honda "half radiator" for pretty cheap and they work pretty well.

[@Einyen]

I had a very good and funny driving instructor many many years ago (1996) when I took my drivers license, and I found his method of teaching manual transmission very useful: "Don't grip the knob tightly and try to force it, it is much tougher to aim that way" :-) That is the funny part, now for the instructions: Place your hand around the gear shifter instead of on top with thumb on the left side and other fingers curling around it and only push the needed sides. Use the fact that it will automatically pop into the center "lane": 1st to 2nd: Only push on the top and right part of the gear shifter to force it down while keeping it in the left "lane". 2nd to 3rd: Only push on the bottom part of the gear shifter, it will automatically pop into the center "lane" and continue to 3rd. 3rd to 4th: Only push the top part of the gear shifter down to 4th. 4th to 5th: Only push on the bottom and left part of the gear shifter to move it up and to the right "lane" to 5th.

[@Einyen]

He also told me "If you have too drive fast then smile, I do not want a sad face on the speed camera picture."

[@mattd390]

Nicely done with the upgrades, sir! Also, manual trans ftw!! 👍

[@slanginnoodles9865]

Love it Kurt! The Celica Supras look great, I have the same wheels on my 79 Celica. I dont know if you've tried yet but it may be easier to search for your chassis code

[@ethix_ru]

Looking good Mr. Mac!

[@StevenSmyth]

If you're going to invest in new mirrors, get the Japanese ones made for the Corolla. Japanese mirrors mount mid fender, not on the door and extend your visibility A friend of mine had a 1967 Toyota Crown convertible that he had imported from Japan and I had the pleasure of driving it. The mirrors were great, especially helpful navigating the freeways in Southern California.

[@who346]

I am currently looking for an old toyota... Corolla hatchback... Great reliable car. Only problem was a stripped out alternator bracket.

[@efrainsantiagohernandez9535]

Muy bonito tu corolla mi amigo tengo una liftback. 1978 lo mejor q han inventado lo japoneces 👌

[@braindeadbzh]

If it would not be for the lack of image stabilization (especially when you face talk to the camera), the video quality would be perfect. Nice car. Ready to take over Roadkill with ConeDodger...

[@Audiojack_]

It all starts with replacing a carburetor and soon enough you're doing whole engine swaps... :P

[@ColonelRPG]

The hat looks sweet, but the car looks sweeter.

[@cajunrider7101]

I love that car.

[@MarcusGarfunkel]

Speaking of driving updates, tomorrow I’m starting a 2 week road trip from LA to Seattle in a small RV!

[@TheMrTact]

Manual transmission for the win -- I've been driving them since 1980. My current vehicle is a 2008 Altima, which like so many other cars can no longer be purchased with a manual.

[@lucywucyyy]

love this thing, it really suits you!

[@joeyebeling7681]

On the hat, it looks good. I also feel dumb when I wear hats like that. I think they just feel weird on the head.

[@elc2k385]

i used to have a 77 corolla. we named it "The Booger" causs of the yellow paint :)

[@davidwebb3407]

The hat and the beard kind of makes you look like you're getting ready to go fell some trees.

[@MrTDWfan]

Yo that thumbnail is looking sexy, Kurt! Well done on the thumbnail!

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

Pardon my ignorance here, but have you considered playing My Summer Car? This feels very MSC..

[@philbrowning8643]

Hey Kurt car look cool like the rims.

[@gilaxman9530]

I love it. The wheels are sweet.

[@dagobertkrikelin1587]

Handling the knob like a pro! :)

[@peter4210]

Soon its going to be My Winter Car

[@Jimfoxyboy]

Looking pretty good, both the car and the video. I'd ask if you'd be taking it out to vintage car meets, though I know how you feel about being around new people. Hmmm, too bad Regular Car Reviews is way out towards the East coast.. unless there is someone out on the west coast here?

[@WTCAT500]

Classy Kurt!

[@noah-nk5yo]

My Summer Car PERKELE

[@SD1fruitbat]

Nice car you've got there. How many miles have you put on it since April?

[@marcusisraleis1161]

Looks good kurt

[@noi83rolla]

I have same exact one a yellow 77 Corolla

[@bluedazz]

Hmmm...I want a hotdog now. Great job.

[@BreonNagy]

Hand brake at the stop light? Have I been driving manual transmission cars wrong all my life?

[@DwellerBenthos]

I've seen people do that on a hill, to keep from rolling before they get it in gear. Once you get better on the clutch it's not needed as much.

[@Cadwaladr]

I took a taxi in Dublin and the driver was always using the hand brake at stop lights. Seemed very odd to me, but to each their own.

[@randomhato]

Foot brake should only be used to slow and stop, hand brake should be used once stationary to allow you to get the biting point and accelerate away. Also it prevents you moving forward in low speed bumps at junctions etc so you don't roll into traffic if someone nudges your rear.

[@TheSilentZ22]

You should def get a shorter throw shifter that’s like my old truck XD

[@uchiha191942]

AutoX it!! I'll see you up at evergreen

[@CaseysOffRoadRecovery]

Nice Car

[@trophycheez]

wow look at this king

[@lucywucyyy]

i dont know how expensive it would be but japan would be the best place to look for parts online

[@billyatlas1015]

ty Kurt :)

[@flyermike2029]

I’m doing a 77 te31 too, I’ll buy your A/C if you still have it.

[@meh_productions]

The lack of eurobeats during your driving portion is disappointing. I can't wait to see some Initial D drift montages from you, Kurt. /s

[@Anomalous-Plant]

Lovely! Do you still have the car?

[@BreonNagy]

You look like you work down at the docks with that hat.

[@bobbob123ful]

3:13, 11:55 It's been

[@dionysis8680]

u need to move the sit back... to operate the clutch better

[@MTstevesp]

Omg your a car guy as well and you have a mint (nice) car that's also kinda rare anyone else here into cars/motorbikes like a lot I'm a mechanic my self hence why I have a bmw e30 and it's also on my profile pic 😀?

[@Newgrassrock]

Did you swap the hood and grill or did you swap the engine? One did not come with the other but should have. That’s my dream car! Great vehicle!

[@ghassanhaddadin8333]

my first car i miss it

[@bartrodriguez7389]

I saw your video do not remove the AC because does the value of the car don't start taking it apart just like to make it better

[@jungle_cs]

Wonder what had more emissions crap on it stock.... This or my 81 turbo trans am