Japanese auto-making giant Toyota launched the Celica Supra back in 1978, and to this day, the car remains a highly-regarded classic. There was no denying that Toyota certainly had several American rivals when they came to American shores. Not only were Japanese cars cheaper, but they were also sportier and lighter, making for more efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles. It was the Toyota Corolla, Corona, and Celica which helped Toyota gain major footing in the American market. These were cheap cars that worked best as commuters and nothing more.
Then, in 1978, Toyota tested higher waters by launching two rather premium cars, the Cressida and the Celica. This was a risky move, especially since the Crown had been shown the door owing to a higher price than Americans were used to giving for a Toyota. However, public response in 1978 was quite positive to the $6,600 Celica, and thus, Toyota decided to roll out a Cressida-powered Celica. This, they dubbed the Supra, birthing an iconic nameplate. The combination certainly worked, making for a legendary car that only improved in its second generation. Here are 10 reasons why we love the 1985 Toyota Celica Supra.
10 The 1985 Toyota Celica Supra Carved Its Own Place In The Lineup
Toyota certainly had the right idea with the Mark I Supra in 1979, equipping their Celica with a more powerful engine and offering all kinds of luxury trappings inside. However, it was also the first Toyota car to come with a $10,000 price tag.
The catch, however, was that the Mark I Supra looked just like a Celica. No matter what the car held inside or under the hood, there was barely anything on the exterior to differentiate it from the lower-tiered Celicas, which was its undoing. All of that changed with the second-generation Mark II Celica Supra, which finally featured its own design language.
9 The '85 Supra Rode On Toyota's New 2000GT-Inspired Engine
Toyota gained worldwide renown for their 2000GT sports car, which became a world-beater. Having an engine closely related to the 2000GT's power unit inside the Supra only made it more attractive.
Riding on the 5M-GE engine, the 1985 Toyota Supra housed one of the best engines the marque ever made. This was the M engine that had also powered the MS41-generation Toyota Crown in the '60s, and it only got better with time.
8 The 1985 Toyota Celica Supra Rode On A Lotus-Tuned Suspension
The second-generation Toyota Supra, of which the 1985 model was a part, separated itself from the older and lower-priced Celica model in more ways than one. While Toyota continued making the Celica ride on its live rear axle, the Supra got a new suspension which had some great credentials.
Armed with an independent rear suspension, the MK II Supra received its tuning from none other than Lotus, which made the car handle like a dream, and attacking corners was sheer pleasure behind the wheel.
7 The Naturally-Aspirated V6 Of The Celica Supra Was Its Most Powerful Version In 1985
The second-gen MK II Toyota Celica Supra rode on a naturally-aspirated V6 engine, and the marque kept improving this power unit every model year. While the 1983 model's V6 made 150 horsepower, the 1984 model saw a big jump up by 10 horsepower.
The 1985 Celica Supra's engine was refined further for the subsequent year, and while the horsepower only increased by a single unit, it was still the most powerful iteration yet. Torque went up from 163 lb-ft in the '84 model to 169 lb-ft for 1985, as well.
6 The Cabin Of The '85 Celica Supra Was Loaded With Luxury
The 1985 Toyota Supra continued what the first-generation Celica Supra got right, which was luxury inside the cabin. Power windows and locks came with the '85 Supra, along with a digital dashboard.
Eight-way adjustable seats on the front made the entire experience better, along with an all-leather interior enhancing the plushness of the interior. The '85 Supra also boasted a theft-deterrent system as standard, and even the outside mirrors featured a defogger.
5 The 1985 Celica Supra Cuts A Striking Figure To This Day
The second-generation Supra most certainly succeeded in standing out from the crowd through its visual appeal. Toyota decided to offer the front and rear bumpers, along with the entire hatch, all in glossy black, regardless of the paint job.
There was also the roof-mounted rear spoiler which garnered attention wherever it went, which Toyota dubbed the 'sunshade'. The car itself was more wedge-shaped, with robust-looking fiberglass fender flares being eye-catchers on every street.
4 Toyota Offered A Performance-Oriented '85 Celica Supra
Toyota sold the 1985 MK II Supra in two models, one of which was the performance-oriented P-type car. It was the P-type '85 Supra which came with the butch fender flares, seven-inch wheels, and a limited-slip differential, which made all the difference.
On the inside, the P-type housed eight-way adjustable cloth bucket seats for maximum confidence and comfort, along with an analog dashboard, a tachometer, and a speedometer featured front and center.
3 The L-Type 1985 Celica Offered A Luxury-Focused Experience
On the other hand was the luxury-oriented L-type 1985 Celica Supra. If you wanted a more laid-back, luxurious experience on your Supra and were ready to pay top dollar, this was the MK II Supra model for you.
The L-Type ditched the robust fender flares of its sportier counterpart, offering narrower wheels. There was also leather seating available on this luxury Supra, along with an optional digital dashboard.
2 The Mark II Toyota Celica Supra Changed Toyota's Image In America Forever
As a manufacturer synonymous with cheap daily drivers, it was tough for Toyota to make a name for themselves against more premium and sportier rival auto-makers. Making the first-generation Supra look like the cheaper Celica was a misstep, but things most certainly changed for the better with the MK II.
The car offered the perfect amount of luxury and sportiness for American buyers to consider it seriously on their shortlists. Enthusiasts were certainly impressed, which also shows through in the sales of the Celica Supra between 1982 and 1985. Toyota sold over 114,000 Supras in the US, thus cementing the Supra name into the market for eternity.
1 A 1985 Toyota Supra Still Comes Cheap Today
Sure, a classic, legendary, and iconic Supra like the MK IV comes at eye-watering prices today, but the 1985 model from the second generation is actually quite easy on the pocket.
Hagerty values an '85 Toyota Celica Supra MK II at $13,400, which isn't all that far from the car's original price tag. For that price, collectors get a great piece of JDM history, one of the best Toyota engines ever, and some additional bragging rights.