Initial D fans, rejoice!
Gazoo Racing is reproducing spare parts for the iconic AE86-series Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno.
Part of the firm’s GR Heritage Parts Project, Toyota is selling the items both in the Japanese market and overseas from November 1, 2021.
Gazoo Racing will progressively introduce different parts, however reproduction parts will only be produced for a limited period and can vary depending on the region.
It says you’ll be able to order parts through Toyota dealerships as you would normal genuine parts. We’ve contacted Toyota Australia to confirm if this is the case locally, too.
From November 1, Gazoo Racing is selling rear brake calipers and steering knuckle arms to Japanese consumers, with the former to stay in production until November 2022 and the latter wrapping up production in May 2022.
From December 1, it will also start selling rear driveshafts.
You can view part numbers on the Gazoo Racing website.
While the rear-wheel drive AE86 has gone on to enjoy icon status, thanks in part to its appearance in anime, its original run in Australia was less exciting.
We missed out on the double overhead-cam, 16-valve 1.6-litre four-cylinder ‘4A-GEU’ engine of Japanese-market AE86s, with the local-spec Sprinter making do with a less powerful single overhead-cam, carbureted 1.6-litre.
The local Sprinter hatchback, sold from 1983 to 1986, also missed out on the AE86’s rear disc brakes and limited-slip differential.
While its Australian run wasn’t as illustrious as that in Japan, the AE86 is still part of a pantheon of Toyota greats for which official reproduction parts have been made available.
Gazoo Racing has previously announced it’s reproducing spare parts for the A70 and A80 Supra, the 2000GT, and the 40 Series LandCruiser.
The latter was the most recent parts program announced by the firm, with part production set to begin in 2022 and comprise items like engines, drivelines and exhaust systems.
Toyota’s performance arm isn’t the only company to produce official reproduction parts for classic vehicles.
Mazda announced late last year it would produce replacement parts for the FC and FD RX-7, including wear and tear items like vacuum hoses, fasteners, throttle position sensors, rubber bushings and gaskets.
The first-generation NA MX-5 has also been subject to its own reproduction program, dubbed Roadster Restore.
Both Nissan and its performance arm, NISMO, also supply brand new parts for a range of their vehicles, including the R33 and R34 generations of Skyline GT-R.
It isn’t just a trend in Japan, either, with Stellantis also reproducing parts for classic Italian models such as the Lancia Delta HF Integrale and the Fiat Coupe.
The Heritage Parts catalogue includes reproduction bonnets, fenders and door panels for the Delta, plus 31 other available components for Alfa Romeo models such as the GTV, Spider, 147 and 156.
