Highlights

Three owners from new (two from the same family)
In previous ownership for 32 years
Impressive history file

The Appeal

Back in the mid-1980s, the sports car was almost a thing of the past, the age of the Hot hatch reigned and most manufacturers who stuck with a sports car catered for luxury cruising or turbo-charged mayhem. Toyota's design brief was to resurrect the traditional sports car. To make it fun to drive, cheap to own and unique in its presentation. Toyota unveiled the mid-engined MR2 in 1984, with the T-Bar models following a year later. Lightweight, with an engine that loved to be worked hard, the balance of the chassis could easily cope with the best of the Hot hatches, thanks to its agility and sharp steering. With a ride quality rarely seen in a mass-produced mid-engined sports car, it gripped the road with confidence but could also cope with the motorway thanks to its relatively soft riding suspension. Of course, being a Toyota, you also had the quality and mechanical durability thrown in.

This very original and unmolested 1988 T-bar example is finished in white with leather upholstery. It has just 3 previous keepers (two of them from the same family) and three binders consisting of over 100 invoices and previous MOTs, which also includes a regular serving schedule since new as well as 4 recently fitted tyres. It's sold with an MOT to November 2023 and comes complete with its full tool kit, owner's wallet and plenty of evidence of provenance over the last four decades.

The History and Paperwork

Original UK car
An astonishing collection of invoices, which paints a picture of its careful ownership profile
Sold by Toyota dealer Hills Automobiles of Woodford on the 1st of August 1988
Bought by the Rodgerson family in 1990, who then kept the car for the next 32 years
1990 bill of sales and original style V5 from 1990 included
The current owner has chronologically collated over 100 invoices and MOTs and placed them into three folders
A near complete set of previous MOTs since 1991
Service and maintenance invoices back to 1990
Service stamps up to 91,904 miles
Subsequent invoices for servicing since then, the last one carried out in late 2021
Invoices over the last 3 years include welding, new shocks and exhaust
In 2022 a new timing belt, idle and tensioner pulleys were fitted
Comes with its owner's wallet, including a service booklet, manual and 2 keys
MOT to November 2023
Current owner selling due to a new car
Original tools kit and jack included
V5c present

The Interior

The cabin is dry, with no signs of staining
Leather seats have age-related creases but are generally presentable
The passenger backseat has a small rip
Carpets and mats are in good condition, all are damp free
Dashboard plastics have aged well with no cracks, just a few minor scuffs
Centre console intact
Switchgear and controls are presentable
All controls are said to function
Binnacle in decent shape, with legible instruments
The steering wheel shows age-related wear
Sony CD multi-changer and tape player
Display Motorola 5200 phone included!
Door cards decent, with some minor creases
Boot intact, with no signs of heavy use just some age-related wear
Glass roof panel jackets included

The Exterior

The floor pan, inner wings, strut tops, and valances appear to be in good shape
Some age-related surface corrosion was noted on the sill and rear arch lips
The external presentation appears to be free of noticeable damage
Body panels are flush, with even door shut lines throughout
All doors open and close with ease
The paint finished generally consistent, just the bonnet showing a slightly different hue
It has been subject to a handful of historical paint touch-ups, but overall presents well, with a good lustre and no paint flatness
Generally free of significant stone chips or road wear
Bumpers are well-mounted with no damage
Trim in good shape and correct for model year, minor scuffs noted on the front spoiler
The glass is commensurate with the age of the car but free of significant marks
Rubber seals in good shape
Lights and lenses intact
Alloy wheels show light signs of age with minor corrosion noted
Pirelli Cinturato P1 tyres all date from 2021 and are in excellent shape with event tread

The Mechanics

Mid-mounted 4A-GE 1.6-litre twin-cam 16-valve engine
5-speed gearbox
Responsive and great fun to drive
The engine starts up without any hesitancy and idles smoothly
Warning lights remained off as the engine ran
No reports of knocks, bangs or smoke from the engine
Exhaust in good shape, with no blowing
Engine bay tidy, with intact ancillaries and hoses
Said to pull well, with no reported issues with the gearbox or clutch
The brakes are in good visual shape and are said to brake in a straight line
Recent timing belt with new idle and tensioner pulleys
Last serviced around 1000 miles ago

Summary

With some neat 1980s design touches and several period accessories, this MR2 actually goes far beyond the aesthetics. Decades of regular mechanical attention complement the solid structure of the car and along with an intact cabin, it must make it an obvious choice for someone looking for an original and unmodified example of one the best Japanese cars of the 1980s.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.

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