Name: Rob Powell (aka Flange)

Age: 17

Occupation: Student

Hi Rob, give us a rundown on the car.
I bought the car as a bare shell AE85 and did an AE86 drivetrain conversion to it. I’ve also had it painted, fitted up facelift bumpers and upgraded the lowered suspension with camber plates and strut braces.

So it’s running a 4A-GE engine now then?
Yeah, it has a fairly standard 'blue-top’ 16V in it for the moment. Basically the car has just had six month’s worth of TLC from me to get it where it’s at now.

That’s cool. What future plans do you have for the car?
I’ve got a two-way TRD limited slip diff coming soon and new TRD front springs. On the cards is possibly a new engine with a bit more power, too.

Why that colour? Most people will surely think it’s terrible?
(Laughs) Well, I selected a colour and it didn’t quite come out how it was supposed to. But hey, it’s different I guess, and not the same old panda paint schemes that most people go for on these cars. [Hey, nothing wrong with that! — Ed]

Being lightweight and having a reasonable amount of poke, it must be fun to drive.
Definitely! I’ve grown up with AE86s, and even learnt how to drive in one, so I’m very at home with the car.

So why did you choose the AE85, as opposed to going for an AE86 straight off?
It’s what was available at the time. Plus 86s are stupidly over-priced these days. I do have a genuine AE86 sitting in the driveway, but it’s rusting to bits, unfortunately.

So what is the appeal of the old Trueno for you?
I like the balanced look of it, the ease of working on it, and its old school reputation. Although I got my first one before I even knew what it was, I’ve owned one AE86 and three AE85s to date. It’s more of a lifestyle now.

If you couldn’t have an AE85 or AE86, what do you think you would own?
I’m definitely a Toyota guy, so probably either a 4A-GE-powered KP Starlet or a 1JZ-powered GX71 Cressida — Boso’ style of course!

OK, thanks for that Rob, good luck with the car!
Cheers guys! Rest in peace Gene Crowe.