1987 Toyota MR2

Following the SV-3 Concept displayed in October of 1983 at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota introduced the MR2 in Japan in mid-1984 and arrived on U.S. shores the following year in February. The 91.3-inch wheelbase was a two-seat sports car with a mid-engine configuration. (MR-2 represented 'M'id-engine, 'R'ear-wheel drive, '2' seater). It was an economical and sporty car with four-wheel disc brakes, a transverse-mounted inline-four-cylinder engine, and a fully independent MacPherson strut suspension.

Production of the Toyota MR2 lasted from 1984 through 2007 along three generations. The first generation was produced through 1989, and the second to 1999.

The first-generation MR2 wore a design by Seiichi Yamauchi and was available as a two-door coupe (a T-Top option with removable glass roof panels joined the lineup in 1987). In the U.S., the 1587cc engine developed 112 horsepower at 6,600 RPM initially, with 97 pound-feet of torque. For 1988, horsepower rose to 115 bhp and torque to 100 pound-feet. Transmission options included a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Steering was handled by a rack-and-pinion unit and standard equipment included an AM/FM stereo radio, power mirrors, and tilt steering.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020