86 Fest Eire: The Curious Case Of The Corollas

Outdoors of Japan, I don’t suppose there’s anyplace else on earth that has as a lot love for the venerable AE86 than Eire.

There’s such an outpouring of affection right here for the ’80s icon, that AE86 tradition in Eire will be subdivided a number of occasions. These subcultures can usually be so totally different, that you just wouldn’t suppose that all of them share a love for a similar chassis.

For example, your typical fan of Japanese drift-style Hachirokus would have little to zero curiosity in automobiles that are ‘UK-spec.’

These similar drift-orientated homeowners may then be categorised as both Toyota engines solely or open to the concepts of engine swaps from different producers into the AE86 chassis.

Even when they’re Toyota-engine-only types of individuals, they may be wholly dedicated to the 4A-GE, and dismiss the idea of the likes of a 1UZ-FE or 2JZ. Even then, in the event that they’re 4A-GE purists, they could think about themselves as 16 or 20-valve types of individuals.

It’s a wild automotive subculture which I completely adore.

I’m not sometimes a fan of one-make occasions or exhibits, however 86 Fest – which supplied the backdrop for this story – is the one I make an exception for. That is purely as a result of there’s a lot selection on provide, with numerous totally different approaches to the identical automobile.

It does assist that lately, different Toyotas of comparable classic have been slowly added to the combo as effectively.

Nevertheless, what I wrote in 2016 still stands, and is possibly extra related now than it’s then.

It’s not a scenario distinctive to the AE86, however their values have continued to skyrocket lately which have fully put them out of the attain for the precise kind of folks they had been initially meant for.

I’m displaying my age once I say that I keep in mind these being sub-$2,000 automobiles (which to be truthful, was fully undervaluing them even on the time), however now you can simply add a zero to that quantity for a comparatively good instance.

Pristine UK-specification GT coupe fashions can go for nearer to $50,000.

It simply doesn’t appear proper, does it? I’m not taking something away from the automobiles or their homeowners, however once they begin reaching such values, then they should be in comparison with different automobiles in the identical value bracket and I’m unsure they fare all that effectively.

An AE86 or an E46 BMW M3? I’ll allow you to reply that one yourselves…

Within the AE86’s defence, these values solely mirror the truth that there’s nothing obtainable on the showroom flooring that provide what these automobiles do.

Ever-evolving rules round security and emissions just about assure that we’ll by no means see the likes of those automobiles being provided once more. What’s on the market now, is probably going all that may ever be.

With that, it brings me nice pleasure to see so many individuals nonetheless driving the automobiles like they’re fully disposable.

I’m uncertain how lengthy this pattern will proceed, however lengthy could it final, as a result of all ideas about values and so on. go fully out the window if you see a Hachiroku being pushed as meant.

These are automobiles which I’ll endlessly be interested by, because it’s usually how they’re used that’s extra spectacular than what they really are.

I believe they’re an ideal microcosm of total automobile tradition in that regard.

For the file – and never that anybody requested – however I nonetheless fall on the Japanese road fashion of the AE86 equation. Adrian Walsh’s all-black Levin may be very a lot the kind of factor that excites me.

A constructed 20-valve with Toda cams and a customized Hemi Race exhaust manifold making the higher a part of 200hp would nearly actually convert even probably the most die-hard of 16-valve followers.

These of you that recognise this automobile, and know the story behind it, can be relieved to know {that a} function has lastly been shot and can be coming at some stage over the following few weeks.

Effectively, both relieved or terrified that I’ll make an entire meal of it. It may go both means with me, to be sincere.

It’s not the one Corolla function within the pipeline both, though once more, they could as effectively be two totally different automobiles contemplating the totally different approaches and tales behind every of them.

The non-AE86s at 86 Fest had been diversified, with out being so prevalent to remove from the day’s theme.

My just lately discovered lust for X81s has not abated within the slightest since LZ Fest both, once more for these of you who didn’t ask.

All in all, 86 Fest 2022 was one other good time out with good folks in suspiciously sunny situations. Folks out having fun with automobiles, no matter how they get pleasure from them, is at all times going to be a superb factor.

I’ll endlessly be down with the O.P.C. (Different Folks’s Corollas).

Paddy McGrath
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paddy@speedhunters.com