The Lure Of The MR2 Continues

It’s hard to believe that a month prior to Nostalgic 2 Days, this AW11 Toyota MR2 was at N’s Work in Gifu-ken a different color on the outside and stripped down to the bare metal on the inside.

It’s also amazing what a few weeks’ worth of hard work can achieve.

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I don’t know if it was the finely polished metallic burgundy paint color chosen for the restoration, or the unescapable lure of Japanese modern classics that attracted me to the car, but it stood out like a sore thumb among the usual suspects at this annual show.

After sharing that abandoned AW11 with you guys a few years back (it’s still sitting there by the way), I’ve always imagined what I’d do if I could rescue it and give it back the life it so deserves. Well, what I’d come up with wouldn’t be too different from what you see here.

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The interior was the last to be fitted in after the rebuild, and it’s quite cool to see that things have been kept simple and stock, right down to the mid-1980s plush seats.

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This is the ‘Super Charger’ version, which had a slightly different tachometer featuring a highlighted redline zone.

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The factory-fitted 4A-GZE was treated to a refresh, which included a custom-painted ‘Midship Runabout’ eagle logo on the center of the intercooler core.

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With 145hp on tap from the blown four cylinder engine, the lightweight MR2 was a recipe for some proper fun. These cars were all about weight transfer, juggling that sharp front end bite with an adjustable rear end which could – and would – bite back in a split second if you pushed it too far.

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The suspension of choice is a set of adjustable BC coilovers at each corner.

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Let your ’80s dreams flow. What would you do if you had to restore an AW11?

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

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1

If I got my hands on an AW11 this is what I would do (well actually I have already done it haha) Thanks for posting this spotlight Dino! Looks like an awesome specimen.

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2

Damn, this thing is quite a beaut!

3

Thanks Allen :-)

4

period correct custom Recaro interior

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5

Hella clean!

6

Thank you Spirit Road :-)

7

That interior is superb. I can't think of any better to be honest.

8

Thank you Marc :-)

Author9
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Seriously badass! Love it!

10

Thank you Dino! >.<

11

This car is immaculate. Good lookin tush too.
If I had one the only requirement would be a cool intake snorkel lol.

12

What about the hideous $20 eBay muffler sticking out a foot too far?

Author13
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yeah that intercooler positioning could do with some ducting

14

Dino... Another MR2! Me thinks you may be developing a crush here, which I fully support as the owner of 4 previous AW11s.

Author15
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Oh it's not developing, I want one bad now! If I didn't have 3 growing kids that eat the contents of our fridge daily I'd probably have one already lol. Soon...

16

no offence dino,, but just curious... is it fit for you to sit inside :D

Author17
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I do, kind of lol

18

Always nice to see some MR2 love.

As far as what I'd do to a 1st gen I'd say put in a 4th/5th gen 3sgte and try not to kill your self.

Author19
Dino Dalle Carbonare

No you're talking!

20

I've just sold one. Owned it for 4 years, it was our wedding car and we've traveled half of Europe in it. I also used it for track days and driven it on our local mountain roads every weekend. So much memories, such a great car. It will be missed.

21

Miss mine every day. I had the non-supercharged version but my tacho still had the stripey zone

22

I have been thinking about it a bit lately; especially with the safari type rally Porsche builds that are getting so popular. I would love to restomod a aw11 into something inspired by the 222D !:

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Author23
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I've asked TRD to feature this. I got a left head tilt and much sucking noises from mouth. I think that means we'd love for you to shoot it but no

24

Haha ah bugger! Yeah that would have been sweet. Hopefully they come around eventually. From what I've read it sounds like they were never properly finished.

25

Nice to see these getting some more attention. Prices have been rising a lot over the last couple years. Hopefully this will mean more people will be providing parts because they can be hard to find. I love the paint!

26

need a hot rodded kseries. NA power

27

1988 Mr2sc I always got looks, took it to car shows won an overall best of show and it was almost totally stock

28

Loooove this rebuild. The attention to every thing was really well executed and seeing that intercooler instantly made me smile and giggle

29

OMG! This MR. 2 is so damn freakin clean and nice! I think 80's JDM is going to come back very soon. All flip up 80's JDM...

Author30
Dino Dalle Carbonare

It's back already!

31

Big pimpin’.

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Author32
Dino Dalle Carbonare

lol

33

The white Mr2 is still there after two years!? You have to go save it!

Author34
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I told the guy I'll take it off his hands and dispose of it... He said he might fix it up one of these days. I'll try again in another year or 2 lol

35

I am restoring one, and I'm tryna shoe horn a 2zz into it and a flat bottom, diffuser and front ducted rad. Good to see a bit more coverage of these beauties!

Author36
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Sounds very interesting!

37

I work at a reputable body shop doing everything there including color sanding and buffing for 14 yrs. I'm a full blown one man band and I say it looks beautiful except for the horrible eye sore coming off the exhaust. What do you call that, a $20 muffler off of eBay? The muffler really did ruin it and they know it. They said watch, see who points out the dispicably cheap muffler poking out like its some high school kids Honda civic.

38

Why won't you post my comment

Author39
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I see your comment

40

Beautifull car the only flaw I see is the exhaust. I have a 85 mr2 in the middle of a restomod

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Author41
Dino Dalle Carbonare

What's wrong with the exhaust?

42

The muffler looks like a motorcycle muffler

43

I'd leave mine 100% stock, just as it is! :)

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44

That looks awesome, great colour.
I have a similar - unrestored - version, even down to the BCGold Coilovers. Lovely car, drives so well I can't find anything I want to replace it with.

45

Funny you should ask. I did and here's the results.

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46

I must admit I am not a fan of the 1st gen MR2 but this is very clean. I like this one. I would put a 3S-GTE in it.

47

I would race it at 24h endurance events and have a blast!

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48

Really enjoying the recent MR2 love.

Agree the exhaust ruins an otherwise beautiful setup.

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