Sam Vukich 1987 Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2 enjoyed a fruitful life and developed a cult following for being an oddball in the Japanese car market. It’s often compared to other exciting nameplates like Honda’s CR-X, Mazda’s RX-7, and Nissan’s 240SX.
Upper front centered view of Sam Vukich 1987 Toyota MR2 with the front open.
The Sister to the Celica and Supra
1984 was an exciting year for Toyota executives when they finally unveiled their first mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car to the Japanese market. The first-generation Toyota MR2 (W10) was one of three generations of this model. Production started in ‘84, with the first generation running until 1989. From then until 1999, the second generation, W20, of the MR2 gained popularity with multiple trim levels, like the 3S-GTE, which came with a 200-horsepower turbocharged engine. This car earned the nickname “poor man's Ferrari” for its aggressive styling and visual similarities to the Ferrari 348.
Comparing this car to the Toyota Supra and the Toyota Celica, it has many similarities but just as many differences. Toyota ensured that no matter what style of car, drivetrain type, or engine position a customer wanted, Toyota would have an option for them. The Toyota Supra, which is front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, was the powerful option that is very sought after to this day. The Toyota Celica was the front-engine, front-wheel-drive option for more casual but still thrill-seeking Toyota drivers. Then the Toyota MR2 stood as their mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive option.
Specifically regarding the first generation, the W10, the Toyota MR2 was renowned and celebrated for its impressive handling, affordability, and engineering feats. It came from Toyota's goal to create a fuel-efficient, small, and light sports car. This car originally fell under the project code “SV-3,” and in the early years, there was a collaboration with the famed car manufacturer Lotus. While Lotus did not directly engineer the car, they provided invaluable input to the Toyota engineers in creating a lightweight sports car with handling capabilities guaranteed to excel. This car epitomized the 80s with its wedge shape and pop-up headlights, but that didn’t hold it back on performance. This car sported a Toyota 1.6L 4A-GE inline-four engine. It had modest power, around 112 horsepower and 97 lb-ft of torque. A few years into the W10 generation, Toyota added a variant to the MR2, the MR2 Supercharged (AW11). This engine was a 4A-GZE, which produced around 145 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. It had upgraded fuel delivery and cooling to help reliability. This car could be configured with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
Rear lower view of the taillight of Sam Vukich 1987 Toyota MR2 on the passenger side.
Sam Vukich-3
This car has a wholesome and quite relatable history. It was for sale by an individual in Pennsylvania with a listing price of $5,000. Thankfully, a previously interested customer before Vukich had the opportunity to drive this MR2 and aggressively parked the car in a ditch. This minor damage to the vehicle's suspension was enough to drop the price in Vukich’s favor from $5,000 to $2,500. The car was almost sight unseen, as Vukich had only seen it on video calls with the seller. Once he was comfortable with the sale, Vukich had someone drive five hours into PA to pick up his second MR2. Vukich was interested in this car because he had previously owned a 1989 MR2 T-bar, which he had unfortunately wrecked and was no longer roadworthy.
“I was so distraught and grief-ridden that I knew I couldn't give up,” he mentioned.
For better or worse, this car didn’t come fully stock. It had an engine swap, BC Racing coilovers, and a damaged radiator core support. Finally, Vukich was able to enjoy one of his favorite Toyota models.
Eye level interior view of Sam Vukich 1987 Toyota MR2 from outside the window.
“Where's your engine?”
This car has been modified from the original Toyota 4A-GE to a variant called the 4A-GE 20-valve Blacktop. This engine features a dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) setup with an impressive 5 valves per combustion chamber. The Blacktop is equipped with Toyota's renowned variable-valve-timing (VVT) technology. This engine is a naturally aspirated (NA) 1.6L inline-four, producing around 162 horsepower at 7,800 RPM and 119 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 RPM. It has electronic fuel injection and individual throttle bodies with a coil-on-plug setup. The block is typically cast iron with an aluminum alloy cylinder head. Vukich has a 6-speed manual transmission powering the rear wheels. The suspension has been modified as mentioned before, with BC Racing coilovers providing superior handling ability compared to the factory option.
Far away, lower angle front quarter shot of Sam Vukich 1987 Toyota MR2 on the driver side.
The Wedge Aesthetic
The exterior of this car is painted in a standard black and sits on 15x8 Axis Old Skool wheels. The windows are untinted, and the interior has seen slight modifications, such as an aftermarket 6-speed shift knob and an aftermarket steering wheel. Safety has been upgraded from the factory configuration, thanks to the T3 harness bar and installed 4-point harness. On the outside, Vukich has a one-of-a-kind autocross livery with his track number, #17. The engine bay benefits from extra cooling, thanks to the custom-fabricated air duct on the driver’s side feeding into the engine bay.
Zoomed in lower rear quarter shot of Sam Vukich 1987 Toyota MR2 on the passenger side.
Technically a Race Car
Vukich has had lots of fun with this car, often taking it to autocross events and track days. Besides that, he can be found at local car shows and car meets showing off his sweet MR2. In the future, he plans to build the 4A-GE 20-valve Blacktop that's currently in the car into a real powerhouse. He’s aiming for a 9,500 RPM redline with a 1.9L bottom end and more aggressive camshafts. Additionally, Vukich would like to find a 2AR-FE from a newer (2010+) Toyota Camry. These engines are completely aluminum, weigh less than the current 4A-GE, and still provide a 2.5L displacement. Until then, we can expect to see Vukich enjoying his car on the track, on pavement… and on jack stands.
