Black3 - A Murdered-Out AE86
Some cars don’t need to scream for attention—they just exist in their own lane, effortlessly cool without even trying. A Black AE86 on Watanabes is exactly that. The kind of car that doesn’t care about trends, doesn’t need validation, and somehow looks just as good today as it did rolling out of a Toyota dealership in 1986.
This particular AE86? It’s got all the right ingredients. A 16-valve 4A-GE, on 20-valve individual throttle bodies, mapped on a Link ECU, making sure it sings exactly the way it should. It’s a simple recipe, one replicated many times but when the car weighs about as much as a bag of Tayto, you don’t need much to make it feel alive. Im paraphrasing of course but those were my immediate thoughts as this car screamed out towards our shoot location, popping, roaring and shooting the ocassional flame.
A set of 15-inch Black Watanabes tuck up nicely under the arches, a Vertex front bumper & side skirts sharpens up the front end, and a Varis bonnet keeps things functional while adding just the right amount of carbon aggression. J-Blood rear spats mounted to a late spec rear bumper accompanying a TRD rear spoiler and redline rear lights complete the exterior.
There’s something special about an AE86 that’s built with purpose. No over-the-top aero, no unnecessary frills—just the ‘essentials’, executed perfectly. It’s the kind of car that rewards commitment, punishes hesitation, and makes you feel like a hero when you get it right.
You don’t drive an AE86 because it’s the fastest, or the most powerful, or the most comfortable. You drive it because it’s raw. It’s the mechanical equivalent of a well-worn pair of boots—no gimmicks, no fancy tech, just pure, unfiltered driving. And in an age where cars do everything for you, that’s worth more than any dyno sheet or spec list in my opinion.
Step inside, and you immediately know this AE86 means business. No luxury, no distractions—just purpose.
The first thing that catches your eye? The roll cage. A proper setup, reinforcing the chassis and making sure everything stays solid when things get rowdy(things get really f*cking rowdy!). Then there’s the seating situation: a Recaro SPG driver’s seat, hugging you in all the right places with zero compromise, while the Bride Brix passenger seat offers just enough comfort for anyone crazy enough to take a lift in this antichrist.
In front of you, a classic Nardi steering wheel, because nothing else feels quite as right in an AE86. Behind it, a cluster of Defi gauges sit in what were once the air vents, keeping a watchful eye on vitals. Oil temp, water temp, oil pressure—this isn’t the kind of car where you let the ECU do the thinking for you.
And then, just to remind you that this thing was built to get sideways, there’s the hydraulic handbrake—sitting there like a loaded weapon.
What I love most about this car is it’s not all bare metal and function over form. There’s personality here, too. Look down, and you’ll find red chequered floor mats adding a pop of color, a little bit of old-school JDM charm to balance out the rawness of the build. It’s a small detail, but one that gives the car that unmistakable feel—that perfect mix of aggression and nostalgia. Don’t forget the Equip 03 in the back, the jazziest of spare wheels.
The thing with AE86s is that they’re not about straight-line speed or big dyno numbers. If that’s what you’re after, you’re missing the point really. An AE86 is about the experience. It’s about that perfect weight balance, the razor-sharp steering, and the way the chassis talks to you through every corner. You don’t just drive an AE86—you interact with it.
That’s why cars like this still matter. In a world where everything is getting bigger, heavier, and more computerized, this thing is a reminder of what driving used to be. No drive modes, no assists, no safety nets—just you, the car, and your ability to keep it pointed in the right direction.
And really, isn’t that what makes cars like this so special?
