The MR2 was one of Toyota’s finest mid-engined sporting cars, arriving when the genre was considered dormant. Toyota had been developing it since the 1970s, setting the unique brief for a lightweight sports car that was not only cheap to run but also practical.
The 4A-GE 1.6-litre engine loved to be worked hard, which heightened the already balanced handling. Launched during the era of the hot hatch, it could have easily failed but the market for a unique 2-seater was there. Add the exceptional Toyota build quality and reliability, and you have a ready-made classic.
This one had been family-owned for 32 years, and as one would hope has the provenance and paperwork to back it up. It’s been used and enjoyed, which is never a bad thing when it comes to buying a car, so there is wear and a few scuffs but the current owner has ensured it retains that originality, down to the Motorola phone. A little artistic license has been added with some of the 80s compilation tapes, but it’s bang on the money as a modern classic sports car.
