1994 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo LHD

Highlights

• Twin-turbo, 3-litre inline-six

• Unmodified and in original specification

• Just two owners from new

• Increasingly rare and collectable model

• A genuine 90s performance legend

Overview

We reckon there are three Japanese performance cars that defined car culture in the 90s and 00s – Honda’s NSX, Nissan’s R34 Skyline GTR and the twin-turbo A80 Toyota Supra. Of course, finding examples that haven’t been modified to within an inch of their life, or squirrelled away in warehouses by wealthy collectors, can be quite the challenge.

The Supra was always prime fodder for tuners, that 2JZ powerplant (especially in twin-turbo guise) is immensely strong and reliable, capable of reliably delivering two or even three times the standard factory power figures. This lovely black A80 isn’t some highly strung 1,000bhp monster though. Delightfully, it’s something far more special: a Supra that’s been enjoyed as designed by the clever folk at Toyota and kept in smart, factory-correct specification with a healthy dose of warm, genuine patina.

A US-supplied car, the original owner was based in California and the car was purchased in 1999. We’re sure that targa roof helped them extract every drop of warmth from the dry Californian climate. The second owner moved to the UK in 2014, bringing the Supra with them.

Now it’s ready for someone else to enjoy. Whether the new owner wants to enjoy one of the 90s most iconic vehicles as it is, restore it to showroom condition, or use it as the base for some serious modification, this solid and well kept example is ideal. Add to that the fact that Supra values – like those of so many sports cars of the era –  have been soaring lately, and you have a vehicle that any true enthusiast would find it very difficult to ignore. Quite simply: we love it, and we’re pretty sure you will too.

History and documentation

• US market, 1994MY LHD vehicle

• Originally purchased in California

• First registered in the UK on 14 November 2014

• One previous owner, current owner since 1999 and is the first owner in the UK

• Full document pack

• Collection of invoices for servicing and maintenance in the UK

• HMRC import certification and paperwork

• Louisiana title documentation and original bill of sale included

• The majority of the history file from the US was sadly destroyed during a hurricane

• We’re told the car was serviced by Toyota USA while in America, and has been cared for by Hyams of Malmesbury since coming to the UK

• Two keys

• Current MOT expires 13 October 2025

• 169,425 miles on the clock

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• The vendor tells us that the car has always been kept garaged

• Unmodified and in factory specification

Interior

• Factory upgrade black leather upholstery, all of which looks to be in good condition for its age, with some light creasing to the front seat squabs and a little wear to the outer bolster of the driver’s seat

• Power adjustable driver’s seat

• The rear bench is in excellent condition, exhibiting hardly any signs of use

• Electric windows and door mirrors

• Black carpet throughout the cabin, which looks to be in good order

• The headlining appears to be secure and undamaged

• Air conditioning

• Aftermarket Pioneer CD/radio system, plus amplifier installed under the passenger seat and aux in located in the glovebox

• The interior trim and switchgear all appears to be present and correct, with some wear consistent with the car’s age and mileage – overall it looks to be wearing very well indeed

• The only faults we noted in the cabin were that the right-hand AC vent is broken and the hinged on the lid of the central storage cubby appears to have broken

• The rest of the controls and switchgear in the cabin look to be in good order, with some wear and blemishes, but nothing that would concern us

• We’re told by the vendor that the original wrench for removing the targa panels is missing as it hasn't been off the car since 2005, but an Allen key of the correct size is supplied with the car

• The boot space is generous and trimmed in black carpet, which shows a little fading from the bright Californian sun, but is otherwise in fine fettle

• The seller advises that the hydraulic struts don't hold the boot open for more than a couple of minutes

• Under the boot carpet, the floor pan looks very clean and solid, with no evidence of corrosion, damage or repair that we could identify

• A space saver spare wheel along with a jack and wheel brace are present

• We’re assured by the vendor that everything in the cabin functions as it should, with no faults reported

Exterior

• Black paintwork suits the Supra’s long, low lines and curvaceous 90s aesthetic

• The paint all looks to be in reasonably good condition, with the vendor telling us that the right-hand side received some fresh paint when a dent was repaired about 6 years ago

• There are a few blemishes and scratches in the paint, along with a couple of scuffs on the targa panels, right-hand door and right-hand front corner of the bumper; however, they all look to be relatively inconsequential

• The bodywork itself shows very well, with no corrosion or notable damage to any of the panels, tight and consistent panels gaps and clean lines

• All of the exterior trim and badging looks to be present and correct, the only issue of note is what appears to be a crease in the front bumper around the front registration plate

• Factory fitted high rear wing

• The glass elements and headlights all show well, being clean and clear with no misting, cracking or serious chipping we could discern

• We noted that both rear light clusters, while functioning perfectly well, are cracked

• Probably due to its years in a dry American state and the owner keeping the car garaged, the underneath looks to be in great condition, with no damage or noteworthy corrosion we could see

• The car sits on a set of aftermarket 17-inch 5-spoke Kahn alloy wheels, which look to be in reasonable condition, with some kerbing evident on the lips 

• The rear tyres are 265/40 Fulda items, with a brace of 235/45 Firestones at the front – all look to have a good level of tread and no significant sidewall damage

• The car’s original factory-fitted alloys are also included, but are in need of some refurbishment

Mechanical

• Twin-turbo 2,998cc, 24-valve inline-six (2JZ-GTE) – unmodified and in factory specification

• Factory performance figures: 320bhp (US spec), 315lb-ft, 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, 155 mph top speed

• 4-speed automatic transmission

• Anti-lock braking system

• Traction control

• Speed sensing power-assisted steering

• Double-wishbone suspension all round

• Factory-fitted Torsen limited slip differential

• The latest MOT notes a sight oil leak

• The alternator was rebuilt in August 2021

• Since the last service, the vendor notes a slight screech from the brakes when reversing

• We’re assured by the vendor that the car starts first time, idling smoothly, driving and stopping just as it should

• No mechanical faults or issues reported

Summary

So many of these Gran Turismo era performance heroes have become coddled trailer queens or unrecognisably modified tyre slayers. Both of which we love to see, naturally.

But there’s something uniquely special about a car that’s been kept just as it was when it rolled off the production line. It’s especially thrilling to see one that has clearly been loved, cared for and properly enjoyed. Cars are, after all, for driving.

As the years roll by, we reckon machines like this are going to become vanishingly rare and hugely valuable commodities – even more so than they already are. So if you’ve been sitting on the fence, wondering whether it’s the right time to get in the driving seat of a 90s hero, then the answer is a thunderous yes. 

They say never to meet your heroes. The MkIV Supra is definitely the exception to that rule, it’s every bit as fabulous as you think it is, and then some. Make sure you don’t let this gem pass you by.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.