Niel Timoll’s AE86 – F20C inspired

In December of 2010, while murdering some time at a magazine stand, I saw the January 2011 edition of Super Street. One of the feature stories was a S2000 powered AE86. I stated in an earlier blog that I found it interesting, because on our little pebble in the Caribbean Sea, we have been there and done that!

I can also remember the first time I saw the preview for the subconscious centered flick – Inception. I swore at that instant that it would not miss me. As fate would have it, I did not return to the theatre for an extended time frame. As such confronting my dreams in an exploratory capacity was not entertained until quite recently.

When I eventually got the opportunity to wrap my 4 eyes around the unchartered concept disbursed in the movie, I latched on to a question posed and the answer provided by Leonardo Dicapprio’s character.

Question: What is the most resilient parasite? A bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm?

Answer: An idea – resilient, highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain, it is almost impossible to eradicate it!

Niel Timoll

While at a drag race in 2009 at Jamwest Speedway, Niel Timoll observed that the Hondas had power in abundance, but couldn’t put it to the ground. An idea was born! What was being proposed? Niel wrapped his mind around a rear wheel-drive platform but, with Honda power. Yes, Honda has erased that off the ‘Things To Do’ list, in the form of the S2000 and the NSX. So Niel didn’t plan to reinvent the wheel, instead, he was visualizing a more exciting wheel!

Niel (aka Ken T) is an AE86 guru of sorts which makes it quite easy to appreciate why the final year architecture student could effortlessly extract from his creative maze, a plan to build a S2000 powered AE86.

Niel’s first build was completed at age 14, eons ago, so experience was readily available and in abundance. As soon as his research began, he struck gold. What he found was uncanny. His cousin, who resides in Florida, beat him to the punch. He (Niel’s cousin) had done the same build for a customer!

The obstacles arose, but by Niel’s account, they were addressed with aplomb. Whatever was required to create his Honda propelled scythe, was fabricated in house – literally!
The machine shown here was built in a backyard, in a salubrious setting – Mandeville. I saw the machine for the first time a few weeks ago on Lyndhurst Rd and I was impressed. The snug fit of the F20C and the attention given to preserve the AE86’s poise were commendable.

Mandeville

As I sat and spoke with Niel and his father at the shopping center in Mandeville (in front of the KFC), their love for the machine was blatantly obvious. I had a difficulty though, I couldn’t decide who was beaming more with pride – the son for having accomplished his goal in 11 months, or his father for having sired such a creative son.

Love at first sight.

A smiling AE86.

This machine is vicious – notice the POLICE van!

Why didn’t Toyota think of this?

Father chilling with his son.

On June 28th  I received this text from Niel – Made a 12.8 @ 109mph run@ Jamwest with the AE86 Sunday, all motor, now retuned @ 228 whp Friday night.

Just in case you thought this machine was a show queen!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer