Toyota has gone back on a sporty tour in recent years. The GT86 marked the return of the sporty rear-wheel drive Toyota, followed by the Supra and now the GR86 is ready as the successor to the GT86. That number ’86’ has its origins in the history of Toyota. Reason enough to take a look at the sporty rear-wheel drives that the brand has built over the years.
Toyota MR2
The first generation of the Toyota MR2 appeared on the scene in 1984. The MR2 was Japan’s first mid-engine production car. The idea was to build a sports car that was affordable and economical at the same time. The first generation of the MR2 had a fixed roof, but from 1985 the customer could also opt for a T-Top. With the second generation (photo), the customer could choose from both roof types from the outset. Toyota then changed course considerably, because the third generation of the MR2 was only on the market as a two-seater roadster. That model eventually remained in production until 2007. It is doubtful whether there will ever be a new chapter of the MR2.
Toyota Corolla AE86
The Toyota Corolla AE86 is a car that does not have too sporty values ​​on paper, but is loved in motorsport. The model has competed in various touring car championships and is popular among drifters. In addition, the Japanese anime series Initial D, in which the main character drives around with an AE86, contributed to the popularity of the model among enthusiasts, which means that prices are not tender today. Unlike the Toyota Corolla E80 dating from the same period, the AE86 had rear-wheel drive. The model was supplied under two different names: Sprinter Trueno and Levin. The Sprinter Trueno is best recognized by its folding headlights, while the Levin has fixed headlights. Incidentally, both models were supplied as liftback and coupé. In the Netherlands, only the two-door (Coupé) was on the price list, equipped with the nose with fixed headlights.
Toyota 2000GT
The 2000 GT should of course not be missing from the list of sporty Toyotas with rear-wheel drive. In fact, the 2000 GT was the first car to show that Toyota could do more than just build solid, practical cars. Under the hood is a 2.0 straight-six with 150 hp and 175 Nm of torque. With only 351 units built, today you have to put down a seven-digit amount to get a 2000 GT, if one is for sale at all. The 2000 GT was only available as a coupé, but Toyota made two convertibles of the 2000 GT especially for the Bond film You Only Live Twice.
Toyota Celica
The last generations of the Toyota Celica had front-wheel drive, but the first three generations of the model did send power to the rear wheels. The Celica was first launched in 1970 and was initially available as a coupé, but later also as a liftback. The first generation Celica Liftback looks a bit like the Ford Mustang of that time from the rear. In 1985, rear-wheel drive came to an end with the fourth generation Celica. That baton had meanwhile been taken over by the Supra.
Toyota Supra
Initially, the Toyota Supra was called ‘Celica Supra’. In Japan the model was known as Celica XX. That was because the first generation of the Supra was largely based on the Celica Liftback, but was 12 centimeters longer. That extra length was intended to accommodate the six-in-line. It was not until the third generation of the Supra in 1986 that Toyota cut the family relationship with the Celica and the Supra became a completely self-contained model. This was mainly because the Celica then switched to front-wheel drive. The most popular Supra is the A80, best known for The Fast and The Furious. In the top version, the 2JZ-GTE six-cylinder delivered a power of 330 hp thanks to its two turbos, although the block is known for being able to handle much more power.