Stock Number: 4690

By 1994 Toyota was in full swing when it came to its proper sports car lineup. Only a handful of vehicles were being built with a true mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup for weight distribution. This movement is finally starting to catch on in the supercar world, but Toyota was one of the pioneers. By this point, the SW20 had already made a name for itself after replacing the smaller, less powerful, AW11 model. '95 being the 3rd revision to the lineup which meant some of the growing pains of the earlier models have been worked out. Most notably the suspension has been revised to eliminate the lift-off oversteer that the earlier models were known for. Finished in your classic Astral Black (202) you really can't go wrong. While the color itself is a great choice the paint on this one has seen better days. Based on the looks of things it spent a good while in between washes which allowed for the clear coat to become fairly etched. With the nature of black cars, they have a tendency to show every little thing. It looks like when they did go to clean it the dirt buildup also scratched up the clear in the process. Luckily the clear isn't flaking which would lead to a larger issue which is at least a positive. Since this one isn't a show car it makes it a prime candidate for an actual driver's car that you won't be scared to leave in a parking lot. The body itself is actually really quite clean with the exception of the front lip which has taken a few licks over the years. The driver's side lower portion of it is where that shows the most, as you can see in the photos. The fogs and rear wing were both removed in order to give the car a more sleek look from either direction. While the exterior is largely stock it does have the most ideal wheel upgrade out there, white 17" Rays TE37s. There are really only a handful of wheels on the market as iconic as these are, and they sure do look good with that bright contrast from the black bodywork. Since all stock cars sit a bit too high this one has been rectified thanks to Cusco coilovers all around. The Cuscos help cut down on some of the wheelgap while still keeping it high enough to be a comfortable daily driver. Being a Rev 3 you also get the upgraded Kouki tail lights which really do transform the look of the back end from the earlier models and is even a common swap on the earlier models.

Moving into the fixed-roof coupe's cabin brings on a more race-inspired feel. Hunkering down into the fixed back Bride bucket seat you know this car means business, especially after strapping into the Sabelt 4 point harness. Normally with a fixed back seat, you anticipate seeing the bolster worn down from climbing in and out over the years but this one looks nearly new which is fantastic. The stock passenger seat is just as clean, and while it may not offer the same level of support, it's a good deal more comfortable on longer trips. As with most Toyotas, the door panels and headliner are still nice and taught which can't always be said about Nissans. The A-Pillar features a few new Greddy gauges to keep an eye on vitals; oil temp, water temp, and boost. The stock gauges can leave a bit to be desired so these make for a nice addition. Since they need a separate controller the previous owner sneakily mounted it in the rear cubby so it was cleanly out of the way. The same goes for the Greddy Profec B Spec-II boost controller mounted atop the gauge controller. The original wheel was kept (and is in great shape) while a nicer Trust shift knob was added to clean up shifts. While the aftermarket headunit does work, chances are you'll want to replace it with something more modern. These had an automatic climate control system which is rather convenient to simply set the temperature and forget about it from there on out. There is one major blemish to mention on the interior and that's a split on the passenger side of the dash, presumably from sun damage. Beneath that, in the glovebox you'll find some of the original manuals, coilover spanners, spare key, and even the remotes for the Carrozzeria system which is admittedly a bit of a rarity.

Mechanically the 3S-GTE also received a bit of an overhaul with the 3rd revision. Power was bumped up to 242 and the E153 5 speed received upgraded synchros to help smooth out the gearbox. The mid-mounted four-cylinder puts it's power down to the rear wheels thanks to a Viscous LSD. The 3S-GTE power plant is notorious for its reliability and ability to make great horsepower right out of the box, and with only 71K verified miles we're only just getting started. Ours already has a few of the basic bolt-ons already checked off for its next owner. The A'PEXi intake sounds fantastic right behind your head and makes for some noises unlike any other car out there. At startup, you'll immediately note the Fujitsubo catback exhaust that lets the 2L breathe a bit easier. In stock form, these are a bit too quiet for a sports car so both are welcomed upgrades. The MR2 fires up with a nice low growl that really opens up when the turbo spools. Shifts through the 5 speed are very crisp and the clutch is surprisingly forgiving. To help out the coilovers FET strut tower braces were mounted both front and rear to help tidy up the chassis. With parts being readily available here in the US, and the ability for the Toyota dealer to even work on them, these cars make excellent daily drivers. Since touching down with us we've installed a fresh battery and performed a routine oil change to make sure it's ready to roll out of here with its new owner. Whether you're in search of a new daily driver or our next autocross build the SW20 can do it all. With its timeless good looks, ample power on tap, and no shortage of OEM and aftermarket support there's no wonder why these cars have had such a lasting impact.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.