Rare and forgotten Toyota guides
Toyota is known for dependable everyday cars, but its history also includes rear-drive cult coupés, mid-engined sports cars, rally homologation specials, advanced grand tourers, turbocharged saloons and genuinely experimental design. This hub brings those rare and performance Toyotas together with researched histories and practical buying advice.
Start here
Choose the AE86 for Toyota’s lightweight rear-drive cult classic, the MR2 AW11 for an accessible mid-engined sports car, the 2000GT for the landmark 1960s grand tourer, or the Chaser Tourer V for a turbocharged four-door sleeper.
Toyota model guides
Toyota Supra A80
The fourth-generation Supra: 2JZ-GE and 2JZ-GTE engines, UK and Japanese versions, engineering, history and buying checks.
Toyota MR2 SW20
The second-generation mid-engined MR2, with five revisions, naturally aspirated and Japanese turbo models, and practical ownership advice.
Toyota Celica GT-Four
The ST165, ST185 and ST205: 3S-GTE engineering, homologation history, model differences and buying checks.
Toyota AE86
The Corolla Levin, Sprinter Trueno and UK Corolla GT Coupé: 4A-GE engineering, model differences and buying advice.
Toyota Supra A70
The independent-suspension Mk3 grand tourer: 7M engines, Turbo A, Japanese-market versions and essential ownership checks.
Toyota Starlet GT Turbo & Glanza V
The EP82 and EP91 Japanese turbo superminis: 4E-FTE history, version differences, import checks and common risks.
Toyota Chaser JZX90 & JZX100
The 1JZ-GTE Tourer V story: twin-turbo JZX90, VVT-i single-turbo JZX100, model identification and buying checks.
Toyota Sera
The glass-canopy coupé with butterfly doors: AXV-II origins, 5E-FHE engineering, production and ownership advice.
Toyota 2000GT
Toyota and Yamaha’s landmark grand tourer: engineering, speed records, Bond prototypes, production and significance.
Toyota MR2 AW11
The original lightweight MR2: 4A-GE engineering, Mk1a and Mk1b differences, the supercharged model and buying checks.
Toyota Celica Supra A60
The angular Mk2 Supra: straight-six engines, P-type and L-type differences, period technology and buying advice.
Toyota Soarer Z30
The advanced Japanese grand tourer: 1JZ turbo, 1UZ V8, Lexus SC relationship, suspension technology and ownership checks.
Twelve ways Toyota approached performance
These cars show how widely Toyota interpreted performance: light weight in the AE86, two generations of mid-engined MR2, rally homologation in the Celica GT-Four, straight-six grand touring across three Supra generations, turbocharged minimalism in the Starlet, discreet 1JZ power in the Chaser and Soarer, experimental design in the Sera and a hand-built international flagship in the 2000GT.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most valuable classic Toyota?
The Toyota 2000GT is generally the marque’s most valuable historic production model because of its significance, engineering and extremely limited production.
What is the difference between the A70 and A80 Supra?
The A70 is the angular third-generation Supra introduced in 1986, commonly using 7M engines. The A80 arrived in 1993 with a lighter, rounder body and the 2JZ engine family.
Was the Toyota MR2 Turbo sold in the UK?
Toyota GB did not officially sell the SW20 Turbo. Most genuine turbo cars in Britain are Japanese-market imports.
What is a Toyota Chaser Tourer V?
It is the turbocharged rear-wheel-drive performance Chaser powered by a 2.5-litre 1JZ-GTE straight-six. The JZX90 used twin turbos and the JZX100 used a single turbo with VVT-i.
Was the Toyota Sera sold in Britain?
No. The Sera was a Japanese-market model; examples in Britain arrived as imports.
