In a few days a TTR shell arrives for rebuilding an S2 into a GTS, so painting is on my mind.
It is easy to see how people paint their car 26R or GTS today–anything goes!
It is far more difficult to see how the original cars were finished. Most of the photos are black and white. Very few show details such as inside the wheel wells, underneath, engine compartment, boot, stripped interior, overspray, etc. And I suppose the cars came to the owners by different routes. Some appear to be repurposed production shells. Some appear to have typical flairs, others are a bit different. So it seems a guy could have acquired a new 26R complete with factory paint as per production car, complete with paint with modified shell, complete in primer, kit with either paint or primer, or perhaps in unassembled kit with bare shell? I cannot tell if there was a usual practice. Bourne cars seemed to have less paint, also the 26R?
But the real question is just how much of the shell was painted and where? Paint is weight, after all!
I haven?t got the link here as I?m away from my data, but look up the original 26R that is on display in Japan at a museum.
The original owner raced it once, died in an unrelated road accident and his grieving parents kept the car untouched for decades, before it made its way to the museum.
I think that one is 26-R-27? Looks like maybe Jaguar Blue, standard shell, finished interior, magnesium. It would be great to see more than a couple pics. Thx. John
Drop me you email and I’ll share link to more photo’s of the Toyota Museum 26R.
Period rules required the cars to have production interiors, glass, coverings, etc, most were supplied complete, although I understand the Australian Cars came crated with suspension fitted locally as I’ve been in contact with the Jim Bertram mechanic who assembled my 26R and co driver of the car. He went to Sydney to Geoghegans who were the importers to assemble the car.
Small world as Jim B told me the 26R crate was used to build a fence at friends Jim Eivers who worked at Geoghegans, the Eivers were my parents best man and his wife maid of honour!
Rather than heavy paint on the car, how about a wrap? Goes right along with the “added lightness” bit. I’ll bet Chapman would have gone with the wrap it it was available back then.
Tojiro Ukiya drove 26R-27 once, at Funabashi in july 1965, and get the victory. But sadly died in august. Its car remain untouched since.
The car stand in a museum but there -at least- one close replica …
Pictures of the original 26R-27:
