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Always Garage Kept: 1985 Toyota Supra

From reading the ad for this 1985 Supra, it appears that the owner may have inherited the car from their uncle when he passed away last year. The uncle had owned the car since new, but the current owner has decided to part with the car. You will find the Supra listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Parker, Colorado, it is being offered for sale with a clear title. I really wanted one of these when they were new, and obviously, there are a few other people who would like to own this one, as bidding has reached $11,100 at the time of writing.

Up until the original owner of the Supra passed away last year, the Supra has spent its entire life in New Mexico. There it was kept in a climate controlled garage. The car has now been moved to Colorado, but its storage is still in a similar environment. The car presents really well. There is no visible rust, and the exterior plastic trim has held up really well. Close inspection reveals some possible edge chips in the paint, but otherwise, it looks really nice. I’ve never considered that the Supra looks at its best in black, but I really like the look of this one.

The original owner of this car must have been an enthusiast who was dedicated to the care of his car. Apparently, he had new carpet remnants that he placed on the seats when he drove it, and the original floor mats had plastic mats placed over the top of them for protection. This attention to care and preservation is amply demonstrated by the condition of the interior. The simple fact of life is that New Mexico sun and 1980s plastic trim aren’t particularly compatible, but this interior has held up quite well. I can see a little bit of discoloration of some of the plastic, but it is very minor. The seats and carpet look virtually new, and the dash also appears to be completely original and free of cracks.

People under a certain age will look at this contraption with all its controls and give a puzzled look. This represents state-of-the-art in-car entertainment in 1985. This is the range-topping radio/cassette player that was fitted to the Supra in 1985, complete with a 9-band graphic equalizer. I can remember having a similar setup in a couple of cars that I have owned previously, and that graphic equalizer allowed a person to really personalize the sound that came out of the speakers.

The strength of a Toyota is always best demonstrated in their engines and transmissions. The 2759cc 6-cylinder DOHC engine in this Supra is backed by a 5-speed manual transmission. This combination was close to bullet-proof, and the Supra in this guise enjoyed a great deal of success in International Group A Touring Car racing. In keeping with the rest of the car, the engine bay presents incredibly well. The seller states that the car is close to 100% original, and justifies the fact that it isn’t because the tires and battery have been replaced, and the air conditioning compressor was also replaced when the system was converted to R134.

You know, I really want this car myself. Finding a Supra of this age in this condition is a bit of a rarity. Being a car from the 1980s, they can be prone to significant deterioration in the plastic trim, and that can make them look quite ratty. These were also a bit of a favorite among the “boy racer” set, which tended to see a lot of them abused or driven into the ground. This particular car looks like a well kept and loved vehicle. I’m going to envy the new owner.

Comments

  1. Jeff

    Worthy of enthusiasm. I coveted these cars in high school.

    Like 19
  2. Fred W

    Since this was constructed AFTER Toyota had embarked on it’s “build them to last 300K miles and make Detroit cry” program, a well maintained car like this with only 14K miles is effectively a brand new car. Worth whatever they pay for it.

    Like 25
  3. Coventrycat

    Absolutely love these things.

    Like 11
  4. Sam K

    The third brake light on this car makes me think it is 1985.5 model instead of 1985. Of course the third brake light could have been added later like I did when I got my 1985 Supra back in 1988 or 1989.

    Like 5
  5. Christopher Vayda

    These cars ran forever I’ve personally seen several examples of 250k+ mileage. And I’ve seen in auto trader several fthat went over 3 but I can’t confirm that . I can tell of u maintain theese with a top of the line maintenance mentality it WILL last a long long long time . Drive like a wanker tho and it won’t. Can’t say much about the 5spd im pretty sure this on has but the author is right .I’d envy the hell outta the new owner too

    Like 3
  6. sparkster

    My old girlfriend bought a new black Toyota Celica GTS back in 1985. Smaller engine, but great handling . I still miss that car.

    Like 8
    • Ike Onick

      What about the girlfriend?

      Like 11
  7. Too Late

    I think Toyota should buy this Supra for their showroom / museum . Bidding is over $20,000 and RESERVE not meet yet. Dang I want this car SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad. It would surprise me if a rich Toyota dealer is bidding on this car.

    Like 5
  8. Al_Bundy John m leyshon Member

    I would love to have this car ! Didn’t appreciate them as much back in the day. l certainly do now that you almost never see them, especially here in OH. And that 8-band graphic equalizer ! What’s not to love ?

    Like 9
  9. Maestro1

    My favorite Toyota.

    Like 8
  10. BillieBobNorton

    Love, just love it. And the stereo equalizer, if that isn’t the 1980s nothing is!!!!!

    Like 7
  11. Bruce

    I had my Alfa GTV at the time my neighbor in Colorado bought one exactly like this one. Two of the best cars of their era. Good handling, plenty of power, reliable and each in their own way beautiful. He liked driving mine because of the handling and small size. I like his for the quality and power. Strangely we both got about the same milage, go figure.

    Each different, each answering different questions but both amazing and fun. Strange I could easily out pull him in the mountains but on the flats I got an excellent view of his rear bumper. Rust was the big killer but there is no other car that looks like this brutal beast that has such excellent balance. I would love to. have it in my garage.

    Like 5
  12. CanuckCarGuy

    Beautiful car, one that I dreamed of in my younger years but are too hard to find now. For me, the car would be a long-term hold… enjoyed on every dry day possible, until I could no longer drive with both feet… then I’d become the passenger! If ever Toyota wanted to roll out a ‘retro styled’ model this would be the design to resurrect.

    Like 5
  13. Fogline

    NICE JOB TODAY – BF. 4 cars that I want, but this one tops them. I remember getting airborne in one of these with a classmate driving in high school in ’86. It was his mom’s car. He had already been in three wrecks – probably not the best person to be riding with.

    Like 5
    • grant

      Friend of mine did multiple cartwheels in one, minutes after I got out. God must look out for dumb kids he was ok.

      Like 1
  14. cyclemikey

    Get some good synthetic oil in there and keep it fresh. And don’t use the car to drive out to the mailbox and back. These 5M-GE engines (and the later 7M-GE) were the first engines to exhibit the propensity for sludging up that Toyota has historically had so much trouble with. Fortunately, the lubricants we have today are far superior to what was available 35 years ago.

    This is a beautiful original car and I’d love to own it.

    Like 3
  15. DayDreamBeliever Alan (Michigan)

    Another example of a car I’d love to own, but shouldn’t. Because I’d want to drive it, a lot….. and there goes the low mileage.

    One of the most iconic and instantly recognizable silhouettes, enhanced by one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable set of wheels.

    A beauty.

    Like 5
  16. BOP_GUY BOP_GUY Member

    I was in high school when this second generation came out, and I wanted one badly. Of course I couldn’t afford it, but still would love one to this day. One of the best cars of the 80’s in my opinion. Dang, the bid is almost $24 grand and still hasn’t met the reserve! I guess I still can’t afford it.

    Like 3
  17. J.R.

    I bought a new 1985 Supra just like this, except mine was dark red with the gray cloth interior. Unfortunately mine was stolen from my apartment building in Studio City CA on December 20, 1976 and was found about 9 miles outside Lancaster; striped clean

    Like 0
    • Miguel

      J.R., that would have been a neat trick, bought in 1985 and stolen in 1976. :)

      Like 1
  18. Fiete T.

    A favorite Japanese car to me.

    Like 1
  19. JTNC

    My dad bought a new 83 Supra. He loved it and drove it for about 8 years until he had a stroke and it was difficult for him to get in and out of such a low car with heavily bolstered seats. He sold the Supra to my cousin and kept his taller 5-series BMW. I thought the Supra was one of the very best performance cars of the 80’s. It really had no faults. Compare to today’s performance cars the power wouldn’t seem Iike that much, but until you got into something far more expensive like a BMW M6 the Supra was at the top of its class. And it still looks good.

    Like 2
    • Miguel

      Unlike todays performance cars, this car has charm, and pop up headlights.

      Like 2
  20. sparkster

    Ike Onick , the girlfriend and I broke up after 9 yrs together. I really miss her as well as the Celica GTS. She later married a Ford only type of guy and therefore had to sell the 1985 Black Celica GTS.

    Like 4
  21. John C

    I’ve owned four of these. I can speak with some authority. This engine is so well balanced that one day I found myself in 3rd gear 6,200 rpm at 107mph.
    No vibration, no real feel of how fast I was going until I looked down.

    I changed the oil, rotated the tires and changed the air cleaner. That’s how well made this car is. It was over 100,000 miles before repairs showed up.

    I could go on and on about this car. New owner will love this car.

    Like 5
  22. Rx7turboII

    Sold for 30k! Wow!!!

    Like 2
    • MartyG

      Reserve not met. This will show up on BaT.

      Like 3
  23. Michael A Groves

    I had a friend that had one of these. The car went like a bat out of hell. Incredible machine. Unfortunately it go t hit hard while sitting in front of his in-laws house one evening. Car was a total loss. My buddy sat on the curb, and just cried.

    Like 2
  24. Ron Van Dell

    I own a black1985 Supra 5 speed with 92K miles just like the one in this post except it has gray leather seats. It is absolutely gorgeous. No rust anywhere. It looks like it just came off the showroom floor. It is a very rare car. I can be parked among a group of exotic cars and guess who gets recognized. :) I owned an 82 Celica GTS in 1984 and had to sell it do to a financial situation. I promised myself I would buy the same model Supra some day. This one sold for 30K…WOW!!! Wish I could post a picture or two.

    Like 0

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