Time has a peculiar way of turning once-ordinary high-performance cars into artifacts of a very specific era. Few Japanese high-performance cars touch the hearts of enthusiasts like the Toyota Supra. Produced across five generations, the Supra is an automotive icon, and pristine, low-mileage examples have become valuable collector's items.
In March, Mecum Auctions will offer what could be one of the finest 1987 Supra Turbo models currently in the U.S. It has covered just 8,461 km, and the cabin looks exactly as one would expect from something that has spent most of its life protected.
Upholstered in burgundy leather, the cabin of this Supra won't appeal to everyone, but it might evoke nostalgia among enthusiasts who grew up in this era. The door panels, transmission tunnel, steering wheel, and dashboard are also in burgundy, complemented by brown floor mats.
Mecum has not provided any details about the car's ownership, but photos show it in a showroom, and it's possible it spent most of its life in this display facility. The listing states it was purchased new in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada, on February 6, 1988, and that it still has its original tires.
The original 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine has been retained. With 234 hp and 325 Nm of torque, it delivers a respectable level of power even today. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Moreover, this particular example comes with all the owner's manuals.
Unlike today's GR Supra with its BMW-sourced engine, this one comes with a removable targa roof and pop-up headlights, two features that define its era. The car's estimated value has not been disclosed, but for anyone interested in a pristine piece of Toyota's performance history, this example represents an excellent opportunity.