Highlights
- Marvellous highly original car
- Subject to vastly extensive rebuild under current ownership
- Excellent mechanical and aesthetic order
- MOT valid until April 2023
The Appeal
If ever there was a car to personify 1980’s motoring, it would be the first generation Toyota MR2. Wedged in shape, targa top roof and those all important pop up headlights, the MR2 provided everything the discerning 1980s sports car buyer could possibly want, in a neat little mid engined package.
An unquestionable success from first launch the MR2 sold in massive numbers, yet fast forward to present day and very few quality, and most importantly, original examples are left on the roads, even fewer of those are finding their way to market, which is why E173 DGX presents such a rare and exciting opportunity.
Highly original, with all factory parts that have been removed still present with the car, this mighty little MR2 is one of a truly excellent standard and presents as such, benefitting from a brilliant and highly extensive mechanical and aesthetic restoration and recomissioning.
A true 1980s icon that is ready to enjoy right from the first moment of ownership.
The History and Paperwork
- Original Toyota owners book pack
- Selection of original Toyota operating manuals and literature
- Toyota service book with several stamped services in
- Small collection of service history and prior MOT records
- Current MOT valid until April 2023
- V5 registration document present with the car
First registered in February 1988, this MR2 found its way to its current owner some 14 years ago. After several years of ownership it was decided that the little Toyota needed to be treated to some extensive refurbishment, which is precisely what it was given. A keen mechanic, the current owner and a friend set about the extensive recommissioning work, which consisted of a complete mechanical overhaul alongside a thorough refurbishment of the bodywork to remove any rot.
Having been used somewhat infrequently in recent times, the current owner has decided to move the car on to a new loving owner to enjoy throughout the summer.
The Interior
- Good clean highly original interior
- Presents in great order
- Desirable black upholstery
Beyond the doors of the MR2 is a cabin awash with 1980s nostalgia, with the Toyota designers very much sticking to the design brief “keep it square”, we find the interior bursting with angular control panels and dash pieces, all of which is sporting a deep black hue.
In wonderful clean condition, the MR2s insides are of a great standard, the plastics upholstery and seating have borne their miles incredibly well and present as such. Both sculpted black seats are of a great nature, still boasting tight upholstery with neat stitching and strong bolstering. Still rich in colour and notably lacking in fading or sun damage, the deep black dash panel is of an equally high quality and looks wonderful within the car.
The true statement piece within the cabin is undoubtedly the gauge cluster and switchgear sat just in front of the driver's seat, largely in part due to the wonderful control panels used to operate the wipers and iconic pop up headlights that protrude from either side of the gauges. At present the car sits with a smaller, non standard steering wheel, however the current owner advises that the larger original wheel is still present with the car.
An added benefit of the mid engined layout found in the MR2 is that a boot/storage area is located at both ends of the car. Certainly not winning any awards for largest capacity, however both boot areas are of a decent size, with the front containing a full size spare wheel, jack and the relevant tooling.
The Exterior
- Exterior subject to extensive refurbishment under current ownership
- Quality wedged shape design
- “T-Top” convertible tops
- Desirable “teardrop” alloy wheels
The first generation MR2 really did take everything that was great about 1980s automotive design and wrap it up in a wonderful neat package. Angular lines make their way into striking wedged shapes with excellent detailing and aerodynamic pieces. The MR2 is undoubtedly a pretty little car, and the example we see here is no exception to that notion.
Finished in a brilliant white hue, the Toyota really is in great standing from an aesthetic perspective, as the car has been well and truly treated to hordes of bodywork restoration in recent years, with any rust or rot on the car being cut out and replaced with new metal to create what must be one of the finest MR2s still left on the roads today.
The Paintwork itself is of a great standard with the marvellous white exhibiting a wonderful shine. We find the exterior bodywork to have been rather excellently complimented by a great selection of sporting trim, vents and aerodynamic pieces including a wonderful rear spoiler and toyota wind deflector piece installed just above the rear window, all of which are of an impeccable standard. it is clear when looking at the car from the outside, just how well this car has been both restored and preserved in its largely original form.
Operated by the aforementioned interior control panels, the absolutely iconic pop up headlights are still in great working order and suit the car perfectly. The lighting and glass work throughout the car is all of a high quality as well.
Looking to the top of the car one is presented with the primary feature that makes this car that little bit more special. The factory removable “T-Top” roof pieces. In two separate sections so that either the driver or passenger could choose to have their individual roof piece on or off, these transparent panels are of a brilliant quality and can be removed in just a matter of moments and stowed away in the factory roof bags that are still present with the car. For those who wish to experience the open top lifestyle with a bit less wind, the covers over the two roof panels can be removed to just leave the transparent tops installed instead.
At ground level sit four dinky alloy wheels, known as the MK1 teardrop alloys, these are one of the most desirable wheel sets one could have on their MR2 and the four we see here are in great clean shape.
The Mechanics
- Treated to an extensive mechanical overhaul
- Engine subject to rebuild
- Excellent 1600 mid engine setup provides brilliant driving experience
- Great all round mechanical order
The original task set forward when designing the MR2 was to see if an economical car could also be fun to drive. The two door, rear wheel drive, mid engined sports car that resulted from the design brief very much resonates a resounding yes to that question.
Powered by just a 1587cc four cylinder engine mounted centrally in the car, the MR2 is able to provide reputable economy and running figures whilst simultaneously being an absolutely brilliant and rewarding car to drive, courtesy of the excellent weight balance that comes with mid mounted engine, the power of which, is sent directly to the rear wheels.
The little four cylinder in this example has been treated under its current ownership, being subject to an extensive overhaul and rebuild, along with a great majority of the mechanical ancillaries and underpinnings. Opening the hatch to the engine bay highlights just how well the work has been done as we are presented with one of the cleanest engines and engine bays seen on an MR2 of this age and of this mileage.
Upon the turn of the key, the Toyota fires into life, a roughty tone bellowing from the rear exhausts. With the owner emphasising the quality of the driving experience provided by the car, particularly commenting on its handling prowess alongside the brilliant, and more desirable 5 speed manual transmission mated to the engine, its fair to say that mechanically, this MR2 is a gem.
Summary
Mid mounted engine, rear wheel drive, targa tops and wedged styling. The MR2 is a car that ticks all of the boxes on the iconic 1980s car checklist.
The example presented here is a truly special car, having wanted for nothing throughout its last 14 years of ownership, it now presents in truly outstanding condition, both from a mechanical and aesthetic perspective, and as such, is ready to be thoroughly enjoyed by a new owner, who will appreciate the Toyota for what it is, a little pocket rocket that oozes nostalgia for a golden era of motoring.
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