This 1993 Toyota Supra was discovered by a courier after dropping off a parcel somewhere in Ireland. Taking the opportunity to perhaps bargain for a car no one else was aware of, the delivery driver came home with an incredibly clean and stock A80 Toyota Supra. Although it’s not the desirable 2JZ-GTE turbocharged variety, these were still game-changers on the import sports coupe landscape and remain coveted in unmolested form today. While this one isn’t for sale, the Supra does serve as inspiration for the rest of us. Find the story here on DriftWorks.com.
The redesign that accompanied the introduction of the A80-chassis Supra signaled that Toyota was capable of building a world-class sports coupe. While the models that preceded it were certainly capable, this generation is the one that enabled Toyota to go head-to-head with competitors from Germany and U.S. – especially in turbocharged form. While this naturally-aspirated version may not be the hell-raiser the 2JZ-GTE was, it still offered 220 b.h.p. delivered to the rear wheels via a slick-shifting 5-speed manual. Non-turbo cars made do with 16 inch wheels; the turbo models required 17s to accommodate larger brakes.
Cockpits were not extravagant affairs, relying on just the basics: a three-spoke steering wheel, driver-centered instrument binnacle, and an impressively short shifter that came as standard equipment. While many enthusiasts pine for the turbo model with its iconic rear spoiler (think of it as Toyota’s take on the classic Daytona wing), these entry-level cars let you enjoy the beautiful bodywork without being distracted by bigger wheels and downforce-enhancing appendages. The new owner of this Supra claims he plans to keep it as close to stock as possible, despite being posted on a site called Driftworks.
Of course, it did what any Toyota did: it started right up and drove up onto the tow truck under its own power. Now that it’s been washed of its years’ worth of dust, it’s easy to see the owner has a laser-straight car on his hands, but he still intends to repaint it in the original colors. Although it looks good to me, I’m just glad the current goals seem to be tracking along the OEM trajectory. Ironically enough, one of my schemes involving a classic BMW hiding in Connecticut was to send a letter saying I was the UPS driver and spotted the car – as opposed to admitting a friend tipped me off about it. Think it will work?
That’s definitely a grey market import. That style license plate didn’t start in Ireland until after 1993. It’s registered in Dublin.
These are amazing cars. I would have to find a oem wing for the deck lid. I love that its rhd.
I was a working on Toyota’s for a living when these came out. Toyota actually sent a bulletin to the dealers instructing them not to put the turbo wings on an N/A car. Seems the turbo hatches and surrounds were built differently. The wing is functional and they had reports of cars with an added wing having the hatch ripped off at speeds over 100.
Does make for a funny mental picture though!!
Looks good to me. I really don’t see a need to repaint it but then again it’s not my car.
Sounds like a whole bunch of blarney ☘️to me!
Nice cars, love the sweeping dash in them. Well made too.
The original owner surfaced and admitted after a “few” Guinness pints, he had forgotten where he had parked.
T C- I always like to wash down my Guinness with some of this…
https://www.tullamoredew.com/en-gb/
What a great find. I have always liked these Supras especially the 2 JZ GTE engine car with the 6 speed Getrag gearbox.
There were about 1,100 2 JZ – GE (NA) cars that came from the factory with the 6 speed gearbox. That is the one I am looking for.
Toyota went all out to build a top quality sports car with the mark 4 Supra & did a great job. The 2 JZ GE is one of the best straight 6 engines I have ever had anything to do with & the sound is pure magic.
Yeah these cars can get pretty pricey especially with a 5 or 6 speed on that inline 6. There cousin the Lexus SC 300 and SC 400 are very similar. If you can find one of those with a cloth interior and a manual tranny you have found gold. They are very rare like that in the USA. But turning one into a drifter is a sad end to a very nice car. They been watching way to much Fast and Furious.
Yes Pete, I have just bought an SC 400, here in Australia we have a lot of imports from Japan being RHD, they come as Toyota Soarers or Lexus LS 300 with the straight 6 & LS 400 with the V8
They are on the same frame as the Supra. I cant afford a mint condition Supra so have gone for the Soarer, they are at the bottom of the price cycle & are excellent buying now, especially the straight 6 2JZ GE with 5 speed manual.
The 1JZ GTE twin turbo is popular with the kids who use them for drift & weld the dif & generally wreck them. I have a V8 & am doing a manual conversion with a Tremec T56 6 speed manual.
This is my car. And as the editor has said I’ll be keeping it oem . It’s covered only 60k miles from new. Very suprised to have come across this feature. You can keep up to date with it’s progress on Instagram by following me on the below username
Steven_brady_
Hi Steven, I will keep an eye on your Supra, thanks for the Instagram link.