Fast Facts:

• Early Australian-market AE86 Sprinter, built August 1983 and given a UK Corolla GT-inspired makeover

• 1.6-litre 20-valve twin-cam inline-four with individual throttle bodies, understood to have been fully rebuilt

The Details:

Introduced in 1983, the AE86 was one of the last small rear-wheel drive cars in Toyota’s Corolla and Sprinter family. While most of the fifth generation range moved to front-wheel drive, the sporting coupés retained a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with MacPherson strut front suspension and a live rear axle. 

Its light weight combined with the front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout and ready acceptance of development led to the AE86 ultimately having a cultural influence far beyond its modest origins. Its success in racing and rallying was followed by a pivotal role in the emergence of Japanese drifting, particularly through its association with Keiichi Tsuchiya. The model later reached a global audience through the Initial D manga and anime series, establishing the ‘Hachi-Roku’ as one of Japan’s most recognisable enthusiast cars and inspiring Toyota’s later GT86 and GR86.

Australian market cars were sold as the Toyota Sprinter, powered from new by the carburetted 1.6-litre 4A-C engine and a T50 five-speed manual transmission. This early example was built in August 1983 and complied in October, with frame number AE86-0013684. Its identification plate records model AE86R-ECMXCQ, the original 4A-C engine specification, T50 transmission and S314 rear axle.

In this car, the original engine has been replaced by a later 1.6-litre 20-valve twin-cam inline four. The seller advises that both the engine and differential have been fully rebuilt and reports that the car drives very well.

The seller also advises that the car has received a full respray and describes it as being to UK specification. Its presentation follows the style of the British market Corolla GT Coupe, with a red over black two-tone finish, wheel arch extensions, rear spoiler and GT/Twin Cam detailing.

Further exterior details include period-style eight-spoke alloy wheels, Cibie auxiliary driving lamps, Toyota mudflaps and Twin Cam 20V graphics.

Inside, the cabin retains the period blue and grey cloth trim and three-spoke Toyota steering wheel. Later additions include a Haltech/Racepak IQ3 digital display, Kenwood head unit and fitted dashboard mat.

The seller describes the interior and exterior as in very good condition and reports a service approximately 500 kilometres ago. The car is offered otherwise without service history.

This AE86 1983 Toyota Sprinter Coupe is an attractively presented example of the JDM icon, benefitting from a rebuilt later 20-valve twin-cam engine and external respray.

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