- TOM’s Racing strips each AE86 to bare metal before any restoration work begins.
- The 4-AG engine grows to 1,626 cc, lifting output to a healthy 192 horsepower.
- Restored interiors get a period-correct woven fabric that suits the car’s era.
Last year, Toyota’s GR Heritage Parts division started selling reproduced parts for the AE86, and now a full-blown restoration program has been launched. However, this service isn’t from Toyota itself but rather from the vehicle restoration arm of the iconic Japanese tuner TOM’s Racing.
Any AE86 that rolls through the doors at TOM’s Heritage will receive a fresh lease on life. The company starts by completely stripping the car down to its bare chassis, repairing any sections that need attention, and reinforcing the underpinnings with new spot and MIG welding.
Read: Toyota GR 86 Turned Into An AE86 Throwback With Pop-Up Lights
The car is then slowly rebuilt with new body parts before being given a fresh coat of paint. TOM’s Heritage also offers each restored AE86 with distinctive 15-inch wheels featuring a twin four-spoke design. The aerodynamics have also been improved thanks to TOM’s racing expertise, which adds a pronounced diffuser hidden behind the rear bumper.
An Engine To Match
Unlike some restorations, which retain the factory specification, the firm’s AE86 program includes a few tasty powertrain upgrades.
Toyota’s four-cylinder 4-AG engine’s bore has been increased from 81 mm to 82 mm, and the displacement is increased from 1,578 cc to 1,626 cc, allowing peak power to climb from 158 hp to 192 hp. Torque also jumps from 119 lb-ft (162 Nm) at 5,200 rpm to 141 lb-ft (191 Nm) at 6,490 rpm.
The interior has also been updated with new seats upholstered in a special woven fabric, perfectly suited to a vehicle from this era.
Given how deep the restoration goes, the price shouldn’t shock anyone, though it still manages to. TOM’s starts at 13.2 million yen ($83,000) for the full treatment, and if you need them to track down an AE86 donor car, you’re looking at a minimum of 16.5 million yen ($103,700).
Put that into perspective and things get a bit absurd. That’s more than three brand-new GR86s at $31,400 each, or close to two GR Supras at $58,300 in the US. Back in Japan, the math gets even harsher. A fully built example at 16.5 million yen comes out to nearly six new GR86s, given their 2.9 million yen ($18,550) starting price. At that point, you’re not just buying a car, you’re paying a luxury tax on your own memories.
