This classic 1986 Toyota Sprinter GT APEX AE86 3 door coupe was inspected for a client at USS Tokyo auction on 22 September 2016. It is the type of collector car we specialise in.
This model became famous in Japan and then the rest of the world thanks to being featured in the Initial D series of Japanese manga and anime, then in Gran Turismo and other car racing video games. See Toyota AE86 Wiki for more details.
This has led to increasing demand for the cleanest and most genuine examples, and therefore increasing prices which are discussed more here:
This example was in very nice and original condition other than some tasteful and minor modifications including:
Watanabe 14 inch alloy wheels
TRD sports bucket seats
Nardi steering wheel
Aftermarket suspension front and rear (springs)
LSD
Aftermarket muffler with catalytic convertor
TRD shift kit
Carbon-fibre / aluminum strut-tower bar
Aftermarket spark plug cables
Plus some TRD parts.
While it may not have been fully original, all the paint looked very good, and normal rust problem areas were all rust free. Just minor surface rust underneath which is expected for age.
Odometer was showing 66,993 km and while there was nothing obvious to suggest this was not genuine (given how clean it was overall), we always suggest the stated kms are to be used as a guide only on cars of this age and to judge each on how it presents on auction day.
Pictures taken in dry, sunny conditions were supplied as additional information by the owner via the auction and available online. We inspected the vehicle ourselves on auction day and those are the pictures taken in the rain.
This AE86 was eligible for import to Australia under the 1988 and older rule.
It sold for 2,430,000 Yen FOB which would have been approx. $38,000 landed in Australia at the time (at 76.5 Yen to the dollar), and was the highest price we had seen paid for an AE86 to date.
View other Japanese Classic Collector Car Auction Inspection Examples
We only source the best vehicles with clean and tidy interiors, and only vehicles we would be pleased to own ourselves. This is why we are constantly told by clients that the vehicles we source are well above the condition of most others on the local market.
Whether you’re looking for a classic 1986 Toyota Sprinter GT APEX AE86 like this, or any other type of vehicle we can find it for you in nice condition.
The pictures are typical of the information we provide prior to auction for each vehicle of interest, with any faults shown so you can clearly see the condition before we discuss whether to bid, and your budget.
It is vital when sourcing your vehicle to use an agent that takes the time to physically check each vehicle and looks beyond the auction pictures and report to confirm condition. Some vehicles may have an unpleasant smoke or other odour, rust underneath, or other faults which are impossible to know without inspection.
View Auctions to search for available vehicles and research 3 months of past auction sale prices for any make or model.
See What We Do to fully understand our car import service.
Our Import Cost Calculator sets out all the costs of importing a car from Japan.
I would just like to give my unreserved recommendation to Geoff and his team at Prestige. Late last year I started the quest to look for a E51 Elgrand for the family. After my great experience some years back finding a Stagea RS FOUR with Geoff’s help it was a no brainer to rely on his expertise again. From beginning to end my interaction with Geoff was nothing short of professional. He was prompt, proactive and nothing seemed to phase him.
I knew enough about the import process to be dangerous. Like a typical guy I did not RTFM in the beginning and was making some really bone-headed picks. It would have saved everybody a lot of time if only I read through the material Geoff provided. If it had bothered him Geoff never showed and he patiently repeated the info I needed to make better picks.
There were many occasions when less than ideal vehicles showed up and being somewhat in a hurry to find a car it was tempting to lower my standard just to have something to bid on for the day. Against his best interest Geoff always talked me into walking away from a less than ideal pick. He could have easily taken advantage of my desperation for a vehicle but that never crossed his mind. He said more than once it’s about finding a car I am happy with and he really meant what he said.
The car we found was everything I set out to find, and then some. The right year, low Ks, had the right equipment and very very clean. The final price tag was right on budget and that’s including everything, tyres, on roads, the lot. The gentleman from the compliance shop could not stop remarking on how clean the car was. When my wife saw the car she could not believe it was 10 years old, it’s a stretch to say it feels brand new, but we could not be happier on how clean the car was. Like most imports the car came with many hidden goodies, we are still finding every little thing that came with the 2005 Elgrand. It was an exceptionally good score.
Geoff took care of everything up until the point the compliance shop receive the vehicle, and I mean everything. There was not a point in time I was lost for what to do and all the detail in the background, Geoff and his team took care of it. I know some people think twice about paying a fee to an agent but I can honestly say it’s worth every cent. Twice he chased down some extra savings – one over air con degassing the other over a reduction on customs. He saved me hundreds of dollars that a lesser agent would have probably deemed not worth their time and I probably would not have cared if I didn’t know. Geoff is the best in the business and he took the time to make sure I did get the savings I am entitled to. It’s these little things that makes Geoff’s service exemplary in the industry.
As long as Geoff is offering his service, I will not be buying a car any other way. If you can afford the lead time and a bit of patience, I whole heartily recommended importing your own car through Prestige Motorsport.