JDM Predecessor to the SC300 Is the Perfect Time Capsule
With only 500 ever having rolled out of the factory, this Toyota Soarer Aerocabin is one of the rarest and most unique JDM vehicles around.
All the JDM Goodness
To steal the unforgettable words of Doug DeMuro; THIS...is a 1989 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin. This '89 Soarer is 1 of 500 with the Power-Folding Hardtop. This particular vehicle was imported to the US from none other than the Land of the Rising Sun in 2020. It's full JDM-spec which means you'll look real silly when you forget to enter the cockpit from the right side. It's got 96,400 km on the clock and recently sold for $28,500 on Dougie D's enthusiast car bidding site Cars & Bids.
Photos: Cars & Bids
Just a Little Dinged Up
This is a near-pristine model. Some of the nicks and cuts listed include a bit of paint overspray on exterior moldings, lightly worn seats, a cracked mirror housing, malfunctioning speakers, and some paint chips among other minor things. But honestly, you would be insane not to hop into a vehicle this cool even with those flaws.
Photos: Cars & Bids
>>Join the conversation about this '89 Soarer Aerocabin right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Sick Wheels Bro
Move on to the wheels and you'll find a set of sweet, sweet 18" BBS wheels with some massive Brembo four-piston (front) and two-piston (rear) calipers not-so-discretely hiding behind them. Shoes are a full set of 225/40 Falken Azenis rubber and the system links to the chassis via a set of Tein coilovers.
Photos: Cars & Bids
>>Join the conversation about this '89 Soarer Aerocabin right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Ahead of its Time
A list of the goodies includes ceramic window tint, Pioneer CD controller, Technics 12-disc CD changer, aftermarket amp, LED headlights and taillights, factory fog lamp delete, and a turbo timer. Basically, it's got the whole package. This thing is top-to-bottom high-tech, sleek, and just plain cool.
Photos: Cars & Bids
>>Join the conversation about this '89 Soarer Aerocabin right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Gimme More
Furthermore, the Soarer comes with a bevy of neat Buble Era equipment; Leather upholstery, wood trim, multi-function steering wheel, power windows, power locks, and automatic climate control. But wait... there's more. The crème de la crème of JDm goodness; '80s as heck digital gauge cluster and a set of griffin-emblazoned lace seat covers. (You seriously can't find these things outside of Japan) It's just too freaking cool.
Photos: Cars & Bids
>>Join the conversation about this '89 Soarer Aerocabin right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Flexing
Under the hood lies the legendary 7M-GTE also utilized by the MK3 Supra. From the factory, it pushes 232 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Power runs through a four-speed automatic tranny. But this engine bay wasn't simply left to reflect factory status. No, no, you'll find an HKS blow-off valve making sweet music in tandem with that turbo. Additionally, it's sporting a Koyo radiator, Cusco strut tower brace, JDM Blitz air intake, an HKS downpipe and test pipe, and a Blitz Nur Spec cat-back exhaust.
Photos: Cars & Bids
>>Join the conversation about this '89 Soarer Aerocabin right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Somebody Roll the Windows Down
But we haven't even talked about the best part yet. You may not have noticed, but there's a whole lot of air running through that cabin. Hence Aerocabin. Maybe you don't know what that is, but that's just a fancy name for a wicked cool power-folding hardtop. The Z20 Soarer was produced from 1986-1991 and was succeeded by the Z30 Soarer/Lexus SC platform. But halfway through the Z20's short run, Toyota opted to produce just 500 of these bad boys for the '89 model year. We don't care who you are, you're crazy if you don't think this car is awesome.
P.S. You can watch the folding hardtop do its thing here.
Photos: Cars & Bids
>>Join the conversation about this '89 Soarer Aerocabin right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Check out the how-to sections of ClubLexus.com for help keeping your car in great shape.