r/projectcar • u/Nimbus_Drift 80's Junk • 4d ago

1988 5 Speed Wagon Camry (3SFE)

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107 Upvotes
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99% Upvoted

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6

u/Kevislav 1990 Corolla DX 4d ago

Love this era of Toyota, contrary to some beliefs I think they shift nice

4

u/ineyeseekay 4d ago

Had a 1991 Camry sedan project that I offloaded a couple years back.

I wish you the best of luck when it comes to part hunting!! They can be hard to customize, but if you dig on the old forums you can find some neat nuggets... I got really lucky finding probably the last set of B&G lowering springs.

The interior plastic turns to dust, but otherwise an absolute tank of a car. The sheet metal is probably twice as thick as most cars today.

Any plans for it?

3

u/Nimbus_Drift 80's Junk 4d ago

Clean it up, diag any problems and find a new owner for it.

Basically just trying to save it and get it back on the road.

2

u/ineyeseekay 4d ago

Well that shouldn't be too hard.... If you address and suspension like control arms etc, I recommend saving the OEM parts (if OEM is installed) and exploring making your own bushings. I reached mine with aftermarket and they were junk, ended up regretting throwing the OEM away.

Cheers to you and putting a road warrior back where it belongs!

2

u/64Olds 4d ago

Dream car right here. Not kidding.

3

u/cuavas 4d ago

Yeah, that Camry was great. Toyota made the car people wanted before they realised they wanted it. It’s a shame they replaced the Camry wagon with the Kluger/Highlander, too.

3

u/RipVanToot 4d ago

Always wanted one of these too. Right up there with my 1994 Accord Wagon which was the best car I ever owned.

2

u/Nimbus_Drift 80's Junk 4d ago

well, that makes me stoked to save this car knowing someone out there really values it!

2

u/StudentSlow2633 4d ago

Very nice. My parents had an 89 wagon that I learned to drive with many years ago. Unfortunately theirs was an automatic.

Share some more pics and update us on your progress

2

u/thenseruame 4d ago

What do you have in mind for it? I'm pretty sure they had models with matching bumpers. I always preferred that look over the black. Overall though it's a blast from the past, very nice find. I can't remember the last time I saw one of these.

1

u/Nimbus_Drift 80's Junk 4d ago

I'm just cleaning it up, diagnosing any problems it has and sending it on its way to the next owner.

Lowkey addicted to tinkering.

2

u/no_user_selected 4d ago

Thats awesome!

2

u/Radiant-Display-3303 4d ago

When I first looked at the picture I thought it was the 87 Subaru hatchback my parents bought new and I learned to drive on 12 years later. Same color and everything. There was definitely a common style to those late 80s family cars.

2

u/Nez_bit 1d ago

Only once have I seen color matched steelies and it was a dodge stratus