Although there has been a lot of hopes that Toyota would return to it’s roots with small rear-wheel-drive coupes perhaps under the Scion badge, the brand came without any real performance models worthy of the car enthusiasts’ fanfare. That is until last Tuesday when Toyota officially revealed that there was truth in the rumors about a revival of the iconic sports coupe.

The FT-86 Concept, a joint development project with Subaru, will debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon next month with plans that the production model will be within dealer showrooms by late 2011. Toyota hasn’t said much about the FT-86 yet, but it has been long rumored that Toyota’s RWD chassis will be powered by a Subaru-derived 2-Liter boxer four in naturally aspirated form.

Drawing inspiration directly from the AE86 sports coupe, the FT-86 concept was designed by Toyota’s European Design Development (ED2) studio in Nice, France and features many of the design cues from Toyota’s FT-HS hybrid concept unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show 2007.

Subaru has not commented yet whether or not they will add their all-wheel-drive system but has confirmed that the styling will be distinct. Other confirmations of the concept to production is a six-speed manual transmission and 2+2 seating arrangement.

A few days earlier, Mr. Toyoda made criticism on the lack of excitement in the industry saying that, “Surely it is us — the automakers — who have abandoned our passion for cars”. Already the industry is buzzing with delight that Toyota has made a move back in the right direction.

If you just can’t wait until 2011 to drive the production model, you can take a virtual test-drive of it in Gran Turismo 5. Plus, you get to skip the Toyota and Subaru salespeople too. (Not that we don’t like sales people, they just don’t like us, especially when we take every gear to redline.)

More pictures:

Video (added 10/19):

Short History
In 1962 Safro started “Jack Safro’s Pewaukee Motors” selling used cars to the local area, but it was not until 1976 that Safro began to sell a relatively unknown Japanese brand in Wisconsin. His dealership became the largest dealership in the Midwest it’s first year, selling 42 new Toyota’s.

Safro also became one of the first eight United States Lexus dealers in 1989. He stated in a New York Times interview at the time that, “he was not shocked by the scores of buyers who have been willing to spend more than $35,000 to buy Toyota’s new luxury cars [but rather] to see what many buyers are trading in: late-model Cadillacs and Lincolns.” He estimated about 10 Cadillacs, several Lincolns and European luxury cars were traded in within the first couple weeks of opening.

Mecum states that “Jack Safro began his association with automobiles by working a night job in high school recapping tires. In his early days, Jack drove modified cars and midget cars at Wisconsin tracks, demonstrating one facet of what was a life-long passion for cars.”

Jack Safro Estate Collection
Safro’s collection put on auction consisted of 50 cars total which included a 1966 Land Cruiser FJ40 which sold for $47,500, a 1966 Corona Sedan with 8,769 original miles which sold for $36,000 and more. The prices stunned Rob Sass at the New York Times, who said, “Until this weekend, there have been few if any large collections of Japanese cars sold en masse in the United States. The Jack Safro Collection … maybe have been the first such collection to sell publicly.”

In any case, we’re not surprised the prices these classics are fetching and we know this will not be the last time someone stumbles on a large Japanese collection.

1966 Toyota Corona Sedan – $4,500
1.9 liter 4 cylinder original engine
3-speed manual transmission
Radio delete

1966 Toyota Land Cruiser Soft Top FJ40 – $47,000
Complete professional restoration
6 cylinder 3-speed manual transmission
6,819 believed to be original miles
Lift kit with Alloy wheels

1968 Toyota Corona Utility Pickup – $11,000
1.5L engine 4-speed manual transmission
Rare LHD pickup version
Complete history and owners manual

1968 Toyota Corona Coupe – $9,250
2.0 liter 18RG twin cam engine
Dual side-drafts
72 Celica 5-speed Manual transmission with bronze clutch
Narrowed ‘79 Supra rear-end with Moser axles
Rebuilt and lowered suspension

1971 Toyota Mark II coupe – $12,000
2.0 liter 4 cylinder SOHC engine
Automatic transmission
Complete rotisserie restoration
Toyota’s first luxury coupe

1973 Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon FJ55 – $19,000
6 cylinder F-series engine
3-speed manual transmission with overdrive
Frame on restoration
8-track stereo
Alloy wheels

1976 Toyota Corolla SR5 coupe – $11,000
1.6 liter 185hp 2T-C engine
5 speed manual transmission
2 racing bucket seats
Full roll-cage
Past SCCA SE region showroom stock
Race prepped for vintage rules
(Apparently) Street legal

1981 Toyota Celica Supra – $22,000
2.8 liter 5M-E straight-6 with electronic fuel injection
automatic transmission
8,774 original miles

1981 Toyota Trekker 4WD pickup – $22,250
Concept approved by Toyota in collaboration with Safro and Winnebago
Frame on restoration for Jack Safro’s 40th anniversary with Toyota
4 cylinder SOHC 5-speed transmission
SR-5 gauge package

1986 Toyota Cressida Limousine – $7,500
2.8 liter 5M-GE straight-6
Armbruster Coachworks in Ft. Smith, AK conversion (1987)
1 of 10 built
Television, 2 radios, cellular phone
Wet bar and wine race

2001 Toyota Prius Hybrid – $13,000
Paul Newman’s personal car personally sold by Jack Safro
1.5L engine with electric drive motor
13,917 actual miles
Automatic transmission

2004 Toyota Tundra Long Bed Truck – $7,750
Customized for “The Benchwarmers” by Picture Car Warehouse of Los Angeles
Modeled after Darrell Waltrip’s Craftsman Tundra
Made streetable with lights, mirrors, etc.
3.4 liter 5VZE V6 engine
Automatic transmission

2006 Lexus RX400h – $55,000
Paul McCartney Signature Edition
Designed by McCartney and Lexus for 2005 US Tour
One and only, 450 original miles
Every available factory option
Mark Levinson custom sound system
Autographed by Paul McCartney

1973 MG Midget Convertible – $16,000
1.6 liter 4AGE 16 valve engine
Toyota 5speed transmission
Toyota rear-end and brakes
Full roll cage, ready for track days!

If anybody happens to know where these cars ended up, please let us know!

Question: Are you surprised that these cars (along with other Japanese classics) are beginning to be considered as collectible and are gaining in price? Give us your opinion below in the comments.

The list of cars that were on display is too long to list, but among some of our favorites was the Toyota Crown coupe MS75 “Kujira” which was only available in the United States in 1971 and 1972. The Crown features a 2.6L 4M engine which was shared (in fuel-injection form) with the late 1970’s Celica Supra and Cressida. The 4M engine later evolved into the 2.8L 5M engine and 3.0L 7M engines available in the 1980’s Celica Supra and Cressida.

We’re still keeping our hopes up to see a 7MGTE equipped Kujira in the states but considering how few of these Crowns are even around, it will probably some time before we lay our eyes on one. (Do you know of a Crown coupe worthy of being featured in JDM Origins? Contact us!)

Other favorites of the show were the multitudes of Toyota Corolla’s from the KE10’s to the AE86 Hachi-roku’s. One of America’s favorite Toyota’s since it’s introduction in the late 1960’s, it seemed as if there were as many Corolla’s in the parking lot as in the show!

Last but definitely not least is the always beautiful Toyota 2000GT, more famously known to the common-folks as “the car from that one James Bond movie!” (The movie was actually “You Only Live Twice” which came out about two years after the car’s debut in 1965.) Keeping in mind that there are only about 50 to 60 of these vehicles originally sold in the United States, it is definitely a treat when you see one in person. One kid was even so lucky as to get a photo of himself behind the wheel.

After scoping out all the full scale cars, the show would not be complete without stopping by the HPI sponsored mini race circuit where the little guys were dueling it out. Each competitor had to use a standard Toyota body which made it all the more interesting. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be a lot of old school loving contenders.

If you missed the All Toyotafest this year, you will have to wait until next year to see all the cars for yourself. It was a blast and I think everyone there came home with a free tan and some other tradeshow goodies. If you missed it, check out the full gallery below.

** Special thanks to Michael Foertsch (Toyotageek) for filling in some pictures. It was such a blast, we lost some cars and photos in the mix!

Michael Foertsch, Toyotageek, runs his own website www.toyotageek.com and writes “Toyota Tales” about beloved Toyota’s and their owners. They are what he calls “real stories about real
people and real cars”. He also runs multiple Owners groups and is an active member of Toyota Owners and Restorers Club (TORC).

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At the time, the Corolla GTS with it’s 1.6 liter 4AGE, DOHC 16 valves and employing Toyota’s new T-VIS technology was a radical engine in a modest chassis. It did not take long for Toyota to put it to good use in circuit and rally racing. The combination of ease of tuning, accessible performance parts from TRD, and a lightweight chassis made the Corolla GTS a formidable opponent in many forms of racing.

Because of it’s racing heritage, it has now become the most in-demand Japanese classic car in the world. It’s cult-like status comes from not only Toyota-backed racing, but also the overwhelming successes in Japanese street racing, touge or mountain-pass racing, and circuit racing. It is the weapon of choice for many serious competitors both on and off the race track.

With such a rich history of racing, you can understand why I was blown away when I first laid eyes on this gem almost a decade ago. It was owned and operated by Peter ‘Rabbit’ Vang who had modified the car with all intentions to autocross. Keep in mind that back in the early 2000’s there were no outlets to drift. Most people who were serious about motorsports were out there drag racing, trying to push their all-motors Civics or nitrous injected, turbocharged Supras to the limitations of straight-line racing.

To maximize the AE86’s abilities on the autocross course, Tokico HTS 45 way adjustable dampers were matched up with Ground Control coil-overs up front and TRD Japan 8-way adjustable shocks were matched up with TRD Japan springs in the rear. Battle Version 30mm roll center adapters and Battle Version pan hard rod were also added to keep suspension geometry in check and control rear solid axle movement, respectively. A factory LSD unit in the rear also keeps the AE86 in traction.

Basic bolt-on modifications were added to increase the efficiency of the 4AGE. An intake system was added to draw in more air and TRD headers help exhaust flow through the custom piping. In order to keep the modest look of the AE86 and maintain low-end torque, a stock-style performance exhaust was added in the rear.

Although the AE86 is set up for autocross and did quite well, these days it is mostly a garage queen. Rabbit passed the car onto his good friend Keng Lee a few years back to focus on other priorities. Keng intends to keep the AE86 true to it’s heritage. No crazy nitrous kits, no turbo swaps, but rather an optimal suspension setup and a highly tuned naturally aspirated engine to keep the car revving at high RPMs through the winding roads.

The heart of the AE86 has always been it’s simplicity in form and function. Even today, for what it lacks in brute power and advanced technology this underdog succeeds with agility and finesse.

In the engine bay:
Intake adapter
TRD headers
Magnacore wires

Underneath the chassis:
Battle Version 30mm roll center adapter
Battle Version pan hard rod
Tokico HTS 45-way adjustable front damper
Ground Control front coilover springs (6.3kg/mm rate)
JIC magic pillow ball mounts
TRD Japan springs (5.1kg/mm rate)
TRD Japan 8-way adjustable shocks
Custom exhaust piping
Stock-style exhaust
Factory LSD

Inside the cage:
Corbeau Forza fix position driver seat
Corbeau 4-point harness
Momo steering wheel hub
Momo 320 mm steering wheel