Welcome to this week’s FC Throwback, where we hit the archives and take a look back at some of our favourite previous feature cars. This week it’s Lance Harano’s stunning tuned Toyota AE86 from 2013…
The tranquil, sunny islands of Hawaii perhaps aren’t the first places you’d expect to spot some seriously impressive Japanese metal lurking about. But if the recent Hellaflush shows held on Aloha State are anything to go by, the car scene here appears stronger than ever.
Die-hard Toyota tuner Lance Harano is among the pioneers of the Hawaiian modified car movement. He’s already built up a bit of a reputation stateside for his famously clean builds, and now he’s back to show off his most recent efforts in the form of this spotless ’86 Corolla Levin. Looks like this could be his most special car yet…
Now, Lance likes to fill up his days being a professional bodybuilder. But after he’s put down the fake tan and protein shake, he enjoys spending time on his second love – tuned Toyotas. He’s owned a ’75 TE31 Corolla, ’72 TE28 Corolla Wagon and an ’86 turbo’d 2WD pickup to name but a few… We get the impression he might be a little obsessed!
After bagging this latest addition to the fleet, Lance started by using the ground-up philosophy he applies to all new projects, completely stripping the car down to its shell. Honolulu-based bodywork specialists Hiroshi Performance were then entrusted to transform the body with a pearly Lexus Glacier Frost paint scheme, which sets off the car’s boxy lines perfectly in the blistering Hawaiian sunlight.
There’s no better way to complement a gleaming new paint job than with a set of fresh rims, right? Lance’s choice of heavily buffed 15in SSR XR-4 wheels certainly tick all the boxes, and, with these mirror-finished beauties sizing up at 10-inches wide at the rear, they supply the retro Toyota with an abundance of stance.
A Runfree Levin bodykit seems like the must-have part for modified AE86 owners at the moment, and gives Lance’s car that meaty drift-style stance which the wide rims set off nicely. Adding a Seibon carbon fibre bonnet and bootlid offer a nod to the famous ‘panda’ paint scheme seen on the AE86 featured in the cult Japanese Initial D series.
They say it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and this certainly rings true for Lance’s Corolla. The exterior may look unbeatable, but it’s what’s hidden under the bonnet that steals the show. A fully tucked and chromed engine setup shows off the extent of the spotless paint job, and strengthens our belief that Lance must have a fetish for squeaky clean stuff!
With the help of import specialist friend Pele Bug, Lance machined the block and ported the head of the old, but solid 4A-GE lump. A smattering of tuning parts, including HKS cams, NonStop Tuning pulleys and a Razorback performance ECU ensure the engine is far more lively than when it left the factory all those years ago.
AE86s have hit legendary status in recent years thanks to their rear-wheel drive, pokey engine in a lightweight package. A Cusco LSD and GReddy coilovers on all corners are clever touches that only add to the fun, and allow Lance plenty of cheeky sideways action if the urge should strike him.
But taking our headline slot of coolest mod on this car is the set of gleaming silver intake trumpets that signify the motor’s individual throttle bodies. These breathing aids enhance the engine’s natural rev-happy NA antics, adding an induction noise that echoes for miles around the Hawaiian mountainside when Lance has a heavy-right-foot moment.
Not only does Lance get to call one of the most spectacular places on the planet home, but he also owns one of the most outstanding motors to grace the roads this side of the equator. Now, who do we speak to about relocating FC Towers to Hawaii?
TECH SPEC 1986 Corolla AE86 GTS
Tuning:
Toyota 4A-GE block, 11:1 compression ratio, Razorback SV21 ECU, HKS 272 cams, Ferrea valves, TRD valve springs, Cometic head gasket, TRD timing belt, Wiseco pistons, NonStop Tuning pulleys, TRD engine mounts, T3 Funnels air intake, AE101 20V 43mm individual throttle bodies, Walbro 255 fuel pump, Sard fuel pressure regulator, Honda fuel injectors, Silk Road manifold, Run Free exhaust system, NGK spark plugs, TRD spark plug wires, Braille battery, Koyo radiator with Mishimoto dual electric fans, Samco hoses, engine bay wire tucked & ancillary parts chromed, Toyota T50 TRD gearbox, Cusco LSD, Superior clutch, HKS 12lb flywheel .
Chassis:
GReddy coilvers, Tanabe 25mm front sway bar, Tanabe 20mm rear sway bar, JIC Magic front strut brace, Jubiride rear strut brace, Battle Version panhard bar, T3 four-links, Powerflex bushes, seam-welded chassis, PBR XBG semi-metallic brake pads front & rear, braided stainless steel brake lines, Aisen master cylinder, SSR XR-4 polished alloys, 9x15in fronts and 10x15in rears, NEXEN 175/50×15 front tyres, Falken 195/50×15 rear tyres.
Styling:
Lexus Glacier Frost White paint, Runfree Levin bodykit, Seibon carbon fibre bonnet, Seibon carbon fibre bootlid, rolled rear arches, H4 HID headlight bulbs, 75% window tint.
Interior:
Bride Low Max carbon/kevlar front seats, rear seats removed, TOM’S 330mm steering wheel, JDM dildo shift knob, JDM AE86 digital gauge cluster, custom carbon fibre dashboard.
Audio:
Kenwood DDX-719 DVD headunit, JBL front & rear speakers.
Thanks
Lance’s Mum, Jason K, Mark C, Mike L, Daniel S @ Hiroshi Performance, Auto Customs, Servco, the enthusiasts that helped source many parts.
Words Sam Preston photos Anthony Nguyen
