### The AE86's Unlikely Legacy In the early 1980s, Toyota sold the Corolla Coupe GT in the UK, but it was the AE86 that would go on to become a legend in its own right. Nicknamed the Hachi Roku, this rear-wheel-drive Corolla was a drift-happy, rallying star in Japan, with a reputation built on both illicit street racing and legitimate competition. ### A New World Opens Up For European car enthusiasts, the AE86 was a revelation. A new shape to lust after, and a new hero on the block. Keiichi Tsuchiya, the man who "invented" drifting, was a key figure in the AE86's rise to fame. His innovative driving techniques, which involved sailing into corners broadside without braking to overtake, helped to establish the Corolla Coupe GT as a must-have for any serious drift enthusiast. ### Balance and Handling The AE86's balance and handling are still talked about today. The ...
### The AE86’s Unlikely Legacy
In the early 1980s, Toyota sold the Corolla Coupe GT in the UK, but it was the AE86 that would go on to become a legend in its own right. Nicknamed the Hachi Roku, this rear-wheel-drive Corolla was a drift-happy, rallying star in Japan, with a reputation built on both illicit street racing and legitimate competition.
### A New World Opens Up
For European car enthusiasts, the AE86 was a revelation. A new shape to lust after, and a new hero on the block. Keiichi Tsuchiya, the man who “invented” drifting, was a key figure in the AE86’s rise to fame. His innovative driving techniques, which involved sailing into corners broadside without braking to overtake, helped to establish the Corolla Coupe GT as a must-have for any serious drift enthusiast.
### Balance and Handling
The AE86’s balance and handling are still talked about today. The body roll is hilarious, but the balance of the (modest) grip between front and rear axles is absolutely perfect. It’s one of those cars that seems to sit you slap bang in the middle, so you feel exactly what’s going on at either end equally. And then it gives you just enough power to overcome the available grip if you commit hard enough to the corner.
### A Rare Find
The AE86 is now a rare find, and its value is skyrocketing. But for those who can get their hands on one, it’s a car that’s ripe for tinkering and improvement. With its 1.6-litre twincam four-cylinder engine, the AE86 has a power to weight ratio that’s not far off that of a 205 GTI 1.9. And although it may not have the raw power of some modern cars, its noise is tremendous, and its handling is still unmatched.
### A Forgotten Hero
The AE86 Toyota Corolla Coupe GT is a car that’s been lost in the sands of time. It was never a performance car in the classical sense, but it’s a car that’s now highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. With its unique blend of style, handling, and history, the AE86 is a car that’s well worth tracking down.
### Description:
Discover the forgotten hero of the drifting world, the Toyota Corolla Coupe GT AE86. Learn about its unique blend of style, handling, and history, and find out why it’s now a highly sought-after collector’s item.
COMMENTS