Rare Rides: An Original 1988 Toyota MR2 - the Supercharged One
The mid-engine MR2 started out strong in the Eighties, but ended its life in the new century with a quiet, blob-shaped whimper. Today we take a look at the best of type — it’s a first generation supercharged model, in Ticket Me Red.
Toyota’s new coupe was designed from the outset with sporty handling and a lightweight body in mind. The company turned to a Lotus engineer by the name of Roger Becker during the development phase for assistance with suspension and handling. When it was ready for production, the MR2 maintained its initial goal of sporty handling, but picked up a few additional pounds for the sake of structural rigidity and power equipment. Depending on the version, the 155-inch MR2 weighed between 2,200 and 2,493 pounds.
Toyota introduced its new MR2 in 1984 as an ’85 model and immediately picked up a COTY award in Japan. Two engines were available from the onset, a 1.5-liter inline-four (AW10) which was not offered in North America, and a mid-market 1.6-liter. Said mill made 112 horsepower and found a home in the majority of MR2 examples. For model year ’86, a supercharged version of the 1.6-liter engine was made available in Japan; it found its way to North America in 1988. Equipped with a Roots supercharger and intercooler, 145 horsepower were accompanied by 137 torques. The supercharger made for brisk acceleration times to 60: 6.5 seconds with the manual transmission, or 7 seconds with an automatic.
Supercharged versions suffered from additional weight via the revised engine and new, heftier transmission. It meant stiffer springs were required to maintain handling prowess. Visual cues exclusive to supercharged models were cut-out alloys, dual vents on the hood, and stickers labeled “SUPERCHARGED” in various locations.
Visual changes for 1989 marked the first generation’s final year of production. Door handles and mirrors were always color-keyed, and the CHMSL was replaced with a more modern LED strip integrated into the rear spoiler. Supercharged versions also received an anti-roll bar for the rear suspension. The critically-acclaimed MR2 gave way to a larger and more aerodynamic version for 1990 that was heavier and more expensive, but also more powerful.
Today’s well-preserved Rare Ride is an excellent example of the type, though the ’89 version might be the most desirable. With 142,000 miles, it asks $11,900 presently — a reduction from its previous ask of $12,450.
[Images: seller, Toyota]
Interested in lots of cars and their various historical contexts. Started writing articles for TTAC in late 2016, when my first posts were QOTDs. From there I started a few new series like Rare Rides, Buy/Drive/Burn, Abandoned History, and most recently Rare Rides Icons. Operating from a home base in Cincinnati, Ohio, a relative auto journalist dead zone. Many of my articles are prompted by something I'll see on social media that sparks my interest and causes me to research. Finding articles and information from the early days of the internet and beyond that covers the little details lost to time: trim packages, color and wheel choices, interior fabrics. Beyond those, I'm fascinated by automotive industry experiments, both failures and successes. Lately I've taken an interest in AI, and generating "what if" type images for car models long dead. Reincarnating a modern Toyota Paseo, Lincoln Mark IX, or Isuzu Trooper through a text prompt is fun. Fun to post them on Twitter too, and watch people overreact. To that end, the social media I use most is Twitter, @CoreyLewis86. I also contribute pieces for Forbes Wheels and Forbes Home.
More by Corey Lewis
Comments
Join the conversation
Kinda high miles for 11,9. I feel like 7-8.
Had a 86 NA from Senior year to age 21. I still have vivid dreams about driving that car. What a blast.