Tom’s is one of Japan’s preeminent Toyota tuners and also has a long history of preparing race cars from the brand’s products. The company is now gearing up for the Tokyo Auto Salon, which runs from January 10 through 12.
This year’s show looks like a big one for fans of classic Japanese cars. For example, Nissan is bringing an EV-converted R32 Skyline GT-R and a heavily modified classic Bluebird. Meanwhile, the company DAMD has bodykits that make modern vehicles look like a retro Jeep Cherokee and an original Mini.
The AE86 Toyota Corolla Is Back
Tom’s also runs a Toyota restoration service, and it’s showing off something new at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The company is introducing a new body in white for the iconic AE86 Corolla, which is famous thanks to the Initial D series.
For reference, a body in white refers to a vehicle chassis without any trim, painting, suspension, powertrain, or interior. Essentially, this is the starting point for building a car.
By introducing a full AE86 Corolla body in white, a person could build a version of the classic model without worrying about rust or twisting in the chassis. It’s an ideal starting point for building a vehicle from the ground up, whether folks want a drift car, track machine, or just a highly tuned daily driver.
New Versions Of Classic Engines
Tom’s is also introducing a new range of high-performance engines at Tokyo Auto Salon. They include some icons among Toyota’s powerplants.
The company is building new versions of the 4A-GE from the original Corolla, the 3S-GE from the Celica and MR2, and the famous 2JZ inline-six from the Supra among other models. These powerplants feature increased torque from their original versions while remaining functional for daily driving
Unfortunately, no pricing is available for any of these engines at this time. It’s also not clear when Tom’s plans to make these engines available to customers.
TopSpeed’s Take
The option of building an AE86 Corolla from the ground up with a body in white and a fresh engine is sure to be an enticing opportunity for some Toyota enthusiasts. The customer has the ability to fit their ideal suspension,
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