MA-60



		1982-1986 Toyota Supra


		The 1982-1986 Toyota Celica Supra was Toyotas first attempt at making the Supra a real performance car. It was originaly produced in 1979-1981 as a performance option to the Celica, with only minor differences between the two other than the Supra's OHC (overhead Cam) inline 6 cylinder engine. In 1982 the Supra became its own car. Although most of the body was the same as the Celica, the front clip was changed with a sloping nose and retracting head lights. Inside the Supra was also only slightly changed. Under the hood however, one would find a much more potent engine than the Celica's 4 cylinder. in 1982 the Supra had a DOHC (Double Overhead Cam) inline 6 cylinder engine producing about 141 HP. The engine would be known as the 5M-GE. The "M" model engin was a decendent of the Toyota GT 2000's "M" engine from the racing 60's car. the "M" engine would carry Toyotas Supra through to 1993. This engine was considered a bullet proof design. Reliable and strong. It would also render itself to many modifications in the future. Later designs of the Supra in 1983-1986 would increase the engine output to 170 HP. Changes in the body would only be modest for this time. Flared fenders would be added to to the GT version along with a high mounted sunshade/spoiler through 1984. Options included a head light washer system, security system, leather interior, 14X7" aluminum wheels with 225/60/14 tires. Power everything including a sun roof. The Supra was becoming a luxury sports car. Although the body style carried through to 1986, a 1986 model is very rare. Production of the new Supra for 1986.5 began and the "hot rodded Celica" was soon to become a new car, and well on the way to becoming a world class super car.

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MrkIII

1986.5-1993

The MrkIII Supra was introduced in the middle of 1986 as an all new Toyota Supra. After many years as a beefier version of the Celica, the Supra had finally grown up. With the new body style and new interior the Supra , for the first time, was also offered with a new engine choice. The Turbo! Although not available on the 1986.5, the turbo would be seen in the 1987 through 1993 Supra. Faster and more brutal to anyone who dared to challenge it, the new Toyota Supra Turbo would be a great sports car at a reasonable price. Also offered in the MrkIII were power adjustable driver's side seats, a removable Targa top, TEMS supspension (Toyota Electrronically Modulated Suspension), digital climate control, and the now usual assortment of Toyota gadgets and gizmos. The new Supra would also have a very different body compared to its sibling the Celica. Although similar in design, there was no longer any guess as to what car was driving by and what car just blew you off the road. Horsepower was also increased in the N/A version. Still using the same block as the MrkII, the Supra's power was bumped up to 200HP. The Turbo also used the same block and pumped out over 230HP (I'm not sure of the Turbo's output, so I'll be consevitive with the 230hp rating) The engine although still very much the same as the 5m-ge engine was renamed the 7m-ge engine with the Turbo version adding a t to be the 7m-gte. The new Supra was also fitted with a better sound system with Toyota's Theater surround sound, a wrap around dash with a full assortment of engine monitoring instruments. A better security system, and slightly less room in the back seats! It was becoming a world class sports car. From 1986.5 to 1993, there were only minor body changes. Just "face lifts" to tell apart the different years. The Turbo model was given an optional rear spoiler and of course Turbo markings. At first the spoiler was mounted on two struts on the rear hatch and over hung the sides of the car. Later in 1989 the Spoiler would become a wrap around on the rear fenders. The dark body molding on the sides of the car would also later ( in 1989 as an option, then in 1990 as standard) become body colored. 16" wheels with 225/50/16 tires became standard equipment. The taillights remained similar to the MrkII's until 1989 as well, when the turn signals were divided horizontally by clear lines in the lenses. Through these 7.5 years the Supra would also see HP increases although just minor each time, the increases became significant from 1986.5 to 1993. All in all the Supra had become a driver's car. A car to be sought after, and to be seen in. Sports cars were king of the hill, and with its low price and good gas mileage, the Supra was a great car to own.

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MrkIV







	1993.5-1998

From 1986.5 to 1993 the Supra reamained largely unchanged, however; in the middle of 1993 the new Supra was launched. The new Supra came with a completely new body style, the most obvious change being the loss of the retractable headlights. The body was now more curvy and "chubby" looking, but don't let that decieve you. Toyota put the Supra on a massive weight reduction program. From the loss of retraclable headlights tossing the added weight of the motors and associated wiring, drilled peddles, dished bolt heads, and going so far as to devolop hollow carpet fibers reducing the carpeting weight by 25%! With the normally asperated Supra producing an impressive 220HP to the twin turbo producing a whopping 320hp, the Supra was now considered a world class supercar! With the kind of power and a curb weight fo only 3212lbs for the N/A version, the Supra was no longer a mediocre sports coupe trying to keep up with the rest of the pack. There was one bad side to the new Supra, however; the stickedr price for this new performance machine was high, this ultimatly lead to the demise of Supra. At a base price of $38,000 for the N/A and a wallet eating sum of $44,000 for a basic Twin turbo, the Supra's sales began to fall rapidly. This along with the sport ute craze has sent many a performance car to the bone yard and the Supra was no exception. Although Toyota kept the Supra longer than its rivals kept theres if only for the prestige, the inevitable has finally come. In 1999 there will be no new Supras on your local Toyota dealership's show room floor. 1998 will be the last year of production for the king of the road. Though there is speculation in the wings that a repacement is in the works for the year 2000. I won't hold my breath though. The yuppie crowd that is willing to pay upwards of $50,000 for a blasted truck, won't shell out the same or a lesser amount for a sports car. This is a grear loss to those of us left in the world who are not numb to the road. Who enjoy the all out seat of your pants driving, the blood curdling effect of massive amounts of HP under your right foot as you floor it and hear the tires squeal. Those that are content to drive blissfully through life in there full upright position sitting as high off the ground in there trucks and sport utes as the roof is on my Supra have killed the dream of many a boy grown up wanting to play. Now we jockey to and fro trying to find a spot in traffic where we have some chance of seeing what is ahead other than the windshield high bumper of the oversized box on wheels in front of us. To the Supra I say farewell old friend. It has been a fond 15 years of all out perfomance and change. Those that are lucky enough to have driven one of these awe inspiring machines will miss you. Those that haven't will sadley never know the thrill they will be missing. If you are one of the 1,232 people lucky enough to get your hands on a 1998 Supra, be confident in knowing that you have one of the last few of a rare breed of car. Enjoy it, take care of it, and pass it on to your children. Maybe the next generation will learn to live again.
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