If you want to buy a brand-new Toyota AE86, you finally can. No, it’s not some sticker package from the factory, this is as close to the real thing as you’re ever going to get. Tom’s, a legend in the Japanese auto scene, is building the AE86 from scratch. Yes, scratch. Last year it showed its own new chassis. This year, it’s a completed car.
The Cleanest AE86 Since the 1980s
Toms Heritage AE86Toms
Forget about building a Mustang or Camaro from a catalog, or yet another Porsche restomod. If you wanted a retro-cool car from Japan that didn’t feel 40 years old, you were largely on your own. Not anymore, though, thanks to Tom’s.
We’re talking Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport, not the sneaker company. This Tom’s has been building performance Toyotas since 1974, with factory support. Tom’s even nearly brought Toyota to F1 back in the early 1990s. If you’ve spent more than a few hours in Gran Turismo, you already know the name. For everyone else, here you go.
Toms Heritage AE86Toms
Last year, Tom’s showed its restored AE86 chassis. Yes, it’s a unibody. We mean what’s called the body-in-white. That’s everything that goes under the front fenders, the floor, the roof, and rear quarters all in one. It wasn’t like new, it was new. Better, actually, thanks to extra welding and reinforcement.
Toms Heritage AE86Toms
From there, all the car’s parts have been restored and improved. The company describes it as a “reconstruction.” It probably helps that Toyota is remaking some parts these days, but it has restored or replaced panels, new fasteners, a new interior, and the company’s own modernized version of a classic engine.
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From time attack contenders to stance cars, the meet had it all.
The black and white “Panda” paint job on the AE86 is the most familiar one thanks to the Initial D series. This one is a black over grey that is less iconic, but cooler. There’s one other difference between this car and that one: this is a Corolla Levin, whereas the Initial D car was a Sprinter Trueno. The difference is the fixed lights versus pop-ups, and is related to Toyota’s unfollowable network of different brand dealers at home.
Tom’s Unleashes Toyota’s 4A-G
Toms Heritage AE86Toms
Tom’s new aero parts look like the originals, but they aren’t. The car has been cleverly tweaked and even has a completely new underbelly panel. The goal is to give this ’80s car better aerodynamic stability.
On the inside, the seats have new foam, not just new covers. The fabric is modern, but it’s meant to replicate the look and feel of the 1980s. The door cards have also been redone, and in front of the driver there is a Tom’s vintage-look steering wheel.
Toms Heritage AE86Toms
The wheels are also reproductions. A two-piece design from Toms called Igeta, the new take allows more modern fitment options. Tom’s is reintroducing the wheel, so it will need to fit on more cars.
Toms Heritage AE86Toms
Under the hood is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder 4A-G engine just like the original, but they have almost nothing else in common. This is based on a version Tom’s makes for open-wheel racing cars, and it makes 192 horsepower instead of the 140 or so of a stock car. Bunta Fujiwara would approve.
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Toyota Reveals Two AE86 Concepts With Hydrogen Combustion And Electric Power
The hydrogen-powered concept even features the original 4A-GE engine.
The price is enough to make you spill your tofu, though. It’s 16,500,000 yen, or around $105,000 in US dolalrs. Still, for a like-new AE86 we don’t think you’re going to find a better price. Plus, it’ll look great parked beside your Tom’s fourth-generation Supra restoration.
Source: Tom’s
