The Toyota Supra enjoys legendary status among Japanese-car enthusiasts. The A80 chassis, sold in the US from 1993 to 1998, deserves much credit. With some shadetree wrenching, the twin-turbo straight-six could churn out four-digit horsepower.
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Prior generations of the Supra don’t receive as much limelight. However, with classic A80s fetching six-figure prices, the previous-generation A70, like the 1987 Toyota Supra recently for sale on eBay, has become a coveted part of the Supra lineage.
The Bridge to Power
Sold from 1986 to 1992, the A70 wasn’t a powerhouse like the younger A80. At the time, aftermarket support for Japanese sports cars was not as developed as it is today. Nonetheless, the stylish A70 grand tourer hints at the hard-core track weapon that soon followed.
The model’s 3.0-liter inline-six engine featured whiz-bang technology: four valves per cylinder, a distributorless coil pack ignition, and an optional electronically modulated suspension. The flagship started at $20,300 in 1987, the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $55,000 in 2023 dollars. That would have been out of reach for most of the Nintendo generation.
Serene Cruising
In typical Toyota fashion, the Supra prioritized driver comfort. Its interior is dignified and well-appointed, even more so than its A80 sibling. It shares cabin design elements with the pre-Lexus Cressida luxury sedan, but power conveniences had the side effect of adding weight.
It wasn’t as uncompromising as the contemporary Mazda RX-7. However, that made cruising around town more serene. The four-wheel independent suspension could still be pushed through curves with confidence. Turbocharged models are considered cheaper alternatives to Porsches. Car and Driver clocked a zero-to-60 time of 6.4 seconds, quite impressive for the mid-’80s.
The 1987 Toyota Supra for sale is a naturally aspirated example, making 200 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, that means it’s not the most powerful trim, which in 1987 would’ve been the Supra Turbo with 30 more horsepower and 59 additional pound-feet. A 1989 facelift added two more horses and eight pound-feet. An even more potent Japanese version topped out at 276 horsepower and 265 pound-feet, holding the record for the fastest road car in the country at the time.
Burgundy on Burgandy
The example for sale on eBay isn’t a top-spec variant, but there’s still a lot to love. It’s mated to a smooth-shifting five-speed manual, translating to old-school gear-rowing fun. It has burgundy color-matched leather upholstery, a $950 option at the time, equivalent to $2,570 today when adjusted for inflation. It also has a solid roof with an electronic moonroof, which many enthusiasts prefer to the sports roof for its lack of chassis flex.
The crowning feature of this 1987 Toyota Supra is its low mileage. The odometer shows just 30,122 miles. The interior trim, the most challenging part of any car to restore, is complete and in excellent condition. The original AM/FM radio and cassette deck is included in the sale, though it doesn’t appear in all photos.
There is one caveat, and it’s a big one. The car comes with a salvage title due to flooding. While the car looks fantastic, it would be prudent to closely inspect the floor pan and electronics before making an offer. Due to the title and the fact that it’s not a top-of-the-line collector-spec example, you could drive it guilt-free. It’s a rare chance to relive the glory of 1980s motoring.
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