When the first Supra came on the scene in 1979—designation A40—it was not a stand-alone machine; it was a riff on the Toyota Celica hatchback. The Supra was 8.1 inches longer with a 5.1 longer wheelbase. Part of the increase in size was to allow Toyota to stick in a single overhead cam 2.6 liter inline 6, putting out 110 horsepower (this was Toyota’s first engine with electronic fuel injection). Other tricks included four-wheel independent suspension and the option of a 5-speed manual.
In 1981, the new designation was A50, with the engine being bumped up to 2.8 liters—adding six more horsepower. Toyota also added a sports suspension package.
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