In late 1984 (specifically Sept-Oct) toyota made their first attemp at a true convertible GT road car for mass market. There where only a couple thousand ever made and there are less than 200 (according to the DMV) still on the road today. I've had mine since 1989. It was my first car out of high school. It is one of the reasons I fell in love with my red SC430. The GTS convertible, although more than 20 years old now, shares so many of the traits that we now see in the SC430. It is rear wheel drive, 4 wheel independent suspension, limited slip diff, hydraulic power top, had a liner for the top, a glass rear window with defrost, a fiberglass boot to conceal the top when down, stock Recaro seats with inflatable lumbar supports (remember the little ball pump thingy?) and alot more things that where not very common at all in a time that was dominated by really bad front wheel drive domestic convertibles. It was short lived and not until the SC430 did toyota revisit a rear wheel drive convertible. I promised the guys at the SLO meet I would post some pics of my GTS so here are a few. I know this is a Lexus SC430 forum but I think it will be O.K. since this is kinda the SC's long lost older brother. Hope it brings back some memories from the 80's for some of you!

 

Notice the fender flares that are making a comeback.

 

The fiberglass boot cover was a first of it's kind.

 

Notice the rear quarter windows-

 

Can't say the back seat is any better than the SC430.

 

Remember the full width rear view mirrors of the 80's?

 

This is original paint and 251,000 miles on the original engine. Toyota can make 'em!!!

 

I've only minimally mod'd the car. It has Addco sway bars/bushings, Koni fully adjustible struts/shocks, tokico springs, 16' HRE wheels (Huge in the eighties), flow master exhaust, and a 16 year old Sony 10 disc changer with the controls in the rear view mirror postion, a full Yamaha suround processor and 300 watts of Alpine power. All still works perfectly!!! Can you say OLD SCHOOL!

 

200 on the road? You have a genuine classic there Mike.
Very nice example indeed. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Lee

 

Wouldn't you tremble at the sight of the GTS and it's intimidating 116hp 2.4 liter in line 4 cylinder 22RE engine staring you down? 0-60 occasionally

 

Thanks for the pics

I'm letting this thread stay here for a couple weeks as requested by OP, then move it to Car Chat afterwards

 

This is a awesome thread! I used to love fender flares and those butch looking pitchfork wheels that they used to run (I think they were the 85 Supra wheels). I can remember all the guys with normal celicas getting the flares and putting those wheels on.

Its also amazing the level of technology in those cars wayy back then: power top, tonneau cover, limited slip, glass rear window! Hell there are some luxury verts that still had plastic windows a couple years back.

Again man, great thread

 

I had a few friends in high school with these (S. Florida was made for convertibles) and they were on the far side of Mars in terms of their features.

I remember a few friends comparing it newer vehicles, late 80s to about 91 or so, and still this vehicle had such advanced features. Not quite what the Porsche 959 had, but for its price, this was one damned good little car.

 

Man, thanks so much for the throwback post with pics. Thats history right there. Toyota was early with that.

 

wow! that's traveling in style back in the day. But now, since it's maintained so well, it still looks luxurious.