The AE86 was available with a robust and revvy 1.6-litre twin-cam, and its live axle and limited-slip diff meant steering with the throttle was always on the cards. It made BTCC appearances in the eighties, taking the 1986 and 1987 titles, and it became a hugely popular successor to the Mk2 Escort in Irish rallying, too.

Toyota GT86

Reviving the 86 name for Toyota’s 2012 sports car was no coincidence – the GT86 was a spiritual, if not exactly direct successor to the AE86. Toyota paid the name homage with the 2.0-litre engine’s bore and stroke (86mm x 86mm) and the 86mm diameter of its tailpipes – but mostly with its traditional front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout.

The car was co-developed with Subaru, whose BRZ had the same 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat four, while both cars had an unusual choice of tyre – relatively hard eco rubber, similar to that on the Toyota Prius, to give the car a livelier feel in corners and make the most of the engine’s modest torque. In 2021, Toyota launched the more powerful GR86 to address the original car’s criticisms.

Toyota 2000GT

The Toyota 2000GT might be one of the most beautiful cars of all time. Launched in 1967, the 2000GT was designed and built in collaboration with Yamaha, which was also responsible for the car’s jewel-like twin-cam, 2.0-litre inline six – and the wood veneer found on the dashboard. The chassis, meanwhile, was not dissimilar to that of a classic Lotus Elan, with a backbone-style design that placed the front engine and rear differential between Y-shaped members.

While the shape draws similarity with the Jaguar E-Type, the 2000GT is around a foot shorter, and accommodation is quite tight as a result. It’s for this reason that Toyota built a special roofless version for the car’s most famous appearance in the media, 1967’s James Bond film, You Only Live Twice – simply so 6ft 2in Sean Connery could fit.

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