One to Buy: 25,000 mile Mica Blue 1988 Toyota MR2 Mk1 1600
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If the Peugeot 205 GTi had the hot hatch market in its pocket for most of the 1980s, the only choice for a compact class mid-engined two-seater was Toyota’s first generation MR2. Launched in mid 1984, within a few years MR2s were ubiquitous, their soft wedge styling and sparkling character very much defining the era.
Toyota built these cars with normally aspirated inline four cylinder engines of 1.5 and 1.6-litres. Also available in some markets was a supercharged version of the 1.6 which pumped out 145bhp. However, most cars destined for Europe came with the fizzy 4A-GE that, at 122bhp, gave plenty of oomph in a package that weighed just 975kg.
Toyota had sold nigh on 164,000 MR2s by the time the Mk1 was replaced in 1989, potentially among the best of which could be this car which will be going under the hammer at Iconic Auctioneers’ NEC Classic Motor Show sale in Birmingham on November 15th.
Configured in Mica Blue with matching Blue fabric upholstery, chassis JT1C0AW1100130448 is said to be: “in superb condition throughout, with just 25,616 miles indicated at the time of cataloguing.”
“Accompanied by its original book pack to include the stamped service book which records eight services up to approximately 24,800 miles in 1992. A number of MOT certificates from the early 1990s accompany the car, which is understood to have covered approximately 1000 miles since 1992, spending much of the intervening period in dry storage. The car has been recently recommissioned and is to be supplied with a fresh MOT before sale.”
