AE86 Sprinter Trueno BLACK-LIMTED

Toyota made only 400 cars of limited edition model of the Sprinter Trueno called as the "BLACK-LIMTED" car in January 1986.
This car was sold as a special specification car that was unique to AE86.

The Black limited car was based on the highest grade "GT APEX" with 3 doors.


The car is marked by some special external features.
It had a front emblem of "TRUENO" in gold color in the black exterior color.
This is one of the beautiful and most sought after elements of the Black-Limited.
The door side has the decals of "BLACK LIMITED" in pine stripes.
The name “BLACK LIMITED” printed in rear trim, and gold emblem sticker
A special 14-inch aluminum wheel painted in gold color. They are also called as snow flakes.

"TRUENO" front emblem in Gold color

"BLACK LIMITED" decals in pine stripe

Gold color "TRUENO" logo

“BLACK LIMITED” printed in rear trim and gold emblem sticker

14-inch aluminum wheel painted in gold color (Snow flakes)

The car interior has
The gradation and meter illumination of the guage cluster are exclusive items with the color changed to orange.
The material of the front seat cover was partially changed, and the orange color embroidery of “APEX” was given.
It was provided with an optional net shaped pocket without setting at the back of the seat.
A power window and special door pocket was also added.
Only the shape was same as that of "GT-APEX", but it was designed to differentiate from the standard car in specific aspects.
The word “TWIN CAM 16” in gold color was printed at the horn pad of the steering wheel.
The characters on the gear shift knob was also in same orange color.
In addition, it was provided with the special floor mat of wine red color. 

Gauge cluster in orange color

Gear shift knob in orange color

The Digital clock

Orange color embroidery of “APEX”

Net shaped pocket

Power window and special door pocket

“TWIN CAM 16” in gold color printed at the horn pad of the steering wheel

Gear shift knob was also in same orange color.

Special floor mat of wine red color

The interior and exterior produces special feelings at every nook and corner.
This car was aimed at the sales strengthening on the verge of production termination. 

AE86 COROLLA LEVIN and SPRINTER TRUENO - Part 2

I am writing about AE86, as the view count is higher for the previous blog post on AE86.
AE86 was manufactured during the year 1983 ~ 1987.
 
Until the time AE86 was created, the trend was to say “It is good to have a car with great engine power”. The concern was only with the engine power at the peak. It was the time when they showed off only the maximum speed and the horsepower.
 
During this period the AE86 with small engine displacement (1600cc) appeared in the market.
The youngsters noticed that the car pursued to surpass the engine power. It made us to understand that the car will not give happiness if it has only the power and not the ability to make complete or total tuning.
 
AE86 is the car that taught us the happiness of drifting (or taking a sharp turn) in the curve.

[As per wikipedia - "Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally or unintentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels or all tires, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner." ]

This car was inexpensive, and there was lot of elements in the car to refine the driving technique. The fact is that the people had the sensation to buy the AE86 again even if it is scrapped.

A lot of remodeled parts have appeared in the market from the time of launch, and 30 years has passed, and even now new parts are being released. This can never be the case for other cars. It is a car that is continued being loved by people for a very long time. 

At that time of AE86 launch, the given name and formal name was called as LEVIN and TRUENO. The previous TE71 model and post AE92 model had inherited the same name of LEVIN and TRUENO. 

If you pronounce the number ‘86’ of the AE86 in Japanese language, it will be ‘HACHIROKU’, and till now this car is often called as HACHIROKU, that combines the affection and distinction.

TOYOTA launched the car "TOYOTA86" in 2012, and the source for the name is from this AE86.

The way this AE86 differs from other sports cars is that it is not the car that was produced as a sports car starting from the development stage like the Lotus Exige and Super 7, but is a general public car that takes over the name of LEVIN and TRUENO.

However as an unexpected result, the balance between the engine and chassis was perfect.

 

4AG (4-valve) AE86 Engine

4AG (5-valve) AE111 Engine

The structure of the car is simple with the following element

-The car can be maintained and tuned by the individual,

-Happiness as it was FR drive (rear-wheel-drive)

-It is light as the body and the engine are small.

-Inexpensive etc. 

All the above features combine, and even now it is called as the high value car.

It is interesting that all these are not the result based on some calculation, but the unexpected result.

From the above things, and also taking into account the Japan is a country with heavy rainfall, there are very few AE86 cars in good condition. This car cannot be easily purchased by the youngster like the past.

The sales volume was high because it was originally a general public car. This car was cheap, and was not properly handled compared to other sports car, the number of cars in good condition has reduced, and hence this car has become a highly valuable car like the other high-class sports car.

Total production:              315,294 cars

LEVIN for domestic:         66, 105 cars

TRUENO for domestic:    35, 469 cars

For overseas:                  213,720 cars

What do you think about the number of cars these carts that are available at present?

If you have an AE86 then you will be driving it with great care.

The AE86 has got a very good name in the Japanese market, and when TOYOTA launched the car TOYOTA86, that inherits the name of AE86,  it had put considerable effort right from the development of the car. The TOYOTA86 was the car launched with confidence on the market.

It is the one car that I wish all the car lovers all over the world to drive.

I would like you to actually feel the goodness of the Japanese sports car and the happiness of driving. I recommend this with confidence. 

You can check some of these youtube videos of AE86.

I would still like to write more on AE86.