The first generation Soarer that took Japan by storm
Toyota’s first generation “Z10 Soarer” was launched in 1981. This car was introduced as an ambitious work that claimed to be a super gran turismo. Mr. Sakamoto, the owner of the first-generation Soarer, has dressed it up to specifications that give it a period feel.
After getting his driver’s license at the age of 18, he bought a first-generation Soarer
Toyota’s first generation Z10 “Soarer” made full use of the latest electric technology of the time, and adopted a digital speedometer at a time when analog meters were the norm. It was equipped with more than 10 mechanisms/equipment items that were a first in Japan, including micro-computerized automatic air conditioning, pneumatic lumbar support, and reclining seats with a memory function.
Mr. Sakamoto, now 48, was five years old when the first-generation Soarer was introduced. However, he has been a car enthusiast since childhood and remembers the first-generation Soarer well, so when he was 18 years old and had his driver’s license, he bought a used first-generation Soarer for less than 500,000 yen.
He gave up this very first car after driving it for a while, but when fellow car enthusiasts started driving old cars again, Sakamoto-san bought his first Soarer again about 13 years ago. The Soarer he used to drive was a 2000VR, but his current car is a top model 2800GT.
The body is all painted in Mazda’s genuine color
The body is all painted in Mazda’s genuine vivid Soul Red Crystal Metallic. On the exterior, the front grille was blacked out and the headlights were smoked. In addition, Sakamoto’s tail lights, which he made himself, were smoked and converted to LEDs. In addition, the front lip spoiler and rear wing attached to the trunk were factory options.
The ride height of this first-generation Soarer is quite low for its factory styling. The reason for this is that a hybrid air suspension system consisting of an air suspension and ride height adjustment kit was combined on the front, and the rear was changed to a self-made air suspension system. This system allows one-touch switching to the desired ride height.
Dressed up to the taste favored by the drivers of the time
The wheels are 14-inch Longchamp XR4s to give the car a period look, a taste favored by the driving enthusiasts of that era. The engine is standard, but the exhaust manifold has been replaced with a Trust manifold, which was the standard in 1980.
The muffler is a one-off project. The base muffler is made by Trust, but the dual tails are made by Aimgain, a well-known customization company for VIP cars, for the Toyota Aristo. The shape, which is not seen very often, is very conspicuous.
The first-generation Soarer, which established a new genre of luxury personal coupes, is a car that symbolizes the good old days. Even when viewed in this light, the Soarer’s stately appearance is still very cool. Its stylish, straight lines and intrepid appearance are unmistakable and appealing in a way that modern cars are not.
