1989 Toyota Soarer MZ20 - Reader Ride
There was no messing around when this rare aero cabin came up
There were only only 500 of these made in April 1989, at the Toyota factory in Japan for the domestic market. Today there are a little less than 300 left.
They came with the 7M-GTE engine, a turbocharged inline six, 3.0lt, claiming 232hp at 5600rpm and 344Nm at 4000, that’s with a fairly modest 5psi boost. I may end up upgrading it with a decent power boost.
All of them came fitted out with leather and factory auto, but this one I’ve converted to manual with a five-speed W58 gearbox. Aside from the transmission, I’m trying to keep it as standard as possible.
It was just pot luck that I came across it. I saw it advertised on a Friday night, flew up to Newcastle Saturday morning and bought it – no messing around!
| Buyers' Guide: Toyota Soarer 1991-1999
I’ve known about these for a while. Originally I was going for an MZ21 – which is a similar Soarer with a fixed roof – but I couldn’t find a really clean one. This one popped up, it had been maintained all its life and had only done 110,000km and was imported into WA in 1994.
I’ve gone through and refreshed a lot of components, such as suspension, brakes and some of the electrics. The folding roof unit has also been gone through – that has its own sECU.
It’s a beautiful thing to drive. We’ve fitted new seats out of a GTS 86. I might go further with the interior – something custom in red and black – it’s an ongoing project.
Unique Cars magazine Value Guides
Sell your car for free right here
Get your monthly fix of news, reviews and stories on the greatest cars and minds in the automotive world.
Subscribe