Cheap wheels: 1985-1987 Toyota Corolla GT-S | Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

newsofmax09/22/2022

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1985 Toyota Corolla GT-WORLD

Note: The following story is excerpted from the October 2021 issue of Collectible cars magazine.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected automotive icons of the Eighties was Toyota’s modesty Hachi-Roku, Japanese means “8-6”. This moniker refers to Toyota’s AE86 model code for the flagship 1600 GT APEX performance version of the 1983-1987 Corolla Levin in the Japanese market, and the closely related Sprinter Trueno. (Later a pop culture star with a central role in the Japanese street racing manga The original D). Less well known is the couple’s US-market cousin, the 1985-87 Toyota Corolla GT-S. That’s the AE86 we want to use Cheap wheels.

More words Collectible cars magazine

Toyota’s fifth-generation Corolla splits into two separate branches. The four-door models have switched to a front-wheel drive layout, but the sportier hatchback and two-door convertible retain the front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. When U.S. sales began in 1984, the two-door Corollas closely resembled the home-market Sprinter Trueno with its pop-up headlights. The hottest version is the SR5s running a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 87 horsepower.

Advertisement Toyota Corolla GT-S 1985 (France)

The legendary AE86 has now landed in the US as the ’85 Corolla GT-S. Both bodywork are available and compared to the SR5, the GT-S spicier gets a front spoiler and body side decals. The hatchback version also adds a rear spoiler. Weight curbs are 2450 pounds and hatchback prices start at around $9915.

The GT-S shares the same 4A-GE engine with rev-happy engine with Toyota’s contemporary MR2. It’s a 1.6-liter dohc 16-valve engine with an aluminum cylinder head with twin belt-driven camshafts and centrally mounted spark plugs, along with Bosch’s L-Jetronic fuel injection system. The engine is rated at 112 horsepower and 97 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

Like many early 16-valve engines, the 4A-GE produces its power at high rpm. Here horsepower peaks at 6600 rpm and the red line is sky-high 7500 revs. In the May 1985 issue, Hot Sticks reports that the engine actually doesn’t start up until 4000 rpm and hums at 4500 at 70 mph in fifth gear. Their bottom line, “If this euphoria sounds like it’s going to drive you a little crazy in normal traffic, you’re right.” In September 1984 Car and Driver, Csaba Csere writes, “At lower engine speeds, the GT-S doesn’t seem as powerful at all. Even on full conversation, it doesn’t sound like a pocket rocket—though the 0-60 time in 9.5 seconds and top speed of 113 mph isn’t bad at all. “

Suspension of the GT-S uses MacPherson struts at the front. At the rear, the rear axle is directly located with the upper and lower control arms. Brakes have been upgraded to four-wheel discs and have a limited-slip differential. Alloy wheels use Bridgestone Potenza 185/60HR-14 rubber. This setup doesn’t sound strange, but in the corners it all works great. Car and Driver called the GT-S a “great handling car” with “great balance”.

In the February 1985 issue of Sugar & SugarThe GT-S won the six-car comparison with (in order of finishing) the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo, Honda Civic S, Dodge Omni GLH and Renault Encore GS. R&T I like Toyota’s rear-wheel drive and driver’s seat, but love the Corolla’s generous gearshift, especially on the track.

Advantages:

The well-balanced chassis inspires confidence and offers excellent handling.
The eighties Toyota styling has aged a lot, and we particularly like the hatchback’s look.

Child:

The engine’s power range and low gears are meant against a comfortable ride.
The roof highway layout and rear-wheel drive of the Racy hatchback have affected rear-seat and cargo space.