Toyota Supra Turbo A MA70
The third-generation Toyota Supra, designated A70 and known internally as the MA70, marked the moment the Supra stepped out of the Celica's shadow and became its own distinct model. Produced from 1986 to 1992, the A70 Supra was a genuine grand tourer that combined turbocharged straight-six power with a sophisticated chassis and striking styling. The Turbo A variant, the range-topping Japanese-market model, represented the pinnacle of A70 development.
The 7M-GTE engine was the star of the show. This 3.0-liter twin-cam inline-six, equipped with a CT26 turbocharger, produced 232 horsepower in Japanese-market Turbo A specification. The engine was smooth, responsive, and remarkably tunable - characteristics that would define Toyota's approach to straight-six performance through the legendary 2JZ-GTE that followed. The 7M's DOHC head design and robust bottom end made it a favorite among tuners, though it had a well-documented weakness in its head gasket that Toyota eventually addressed with revised torque specifications.
The R154 five-speed manual transmission, paired with the turbocharged engine, was a strong, well-suited gearbox that could handle significantly more power than stock. Its precise shift action and robust construction made it a prized component that is still sought after by Toyota tuners today. An automatic transmission was also available for those who preferred convenience.
The A70's chassis was built around a double-wishbone suspension design at all four corners, providing the kind of predictable, balanced handling that grand tourers demand. Toyota's TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension) system was available on higher-specification models, allowing the driver to adjust damping firmness between normal and sport settings. The result was a car that could cruise comfortably on the highway and then sharpen its responses for spirited driving.
Styling was muscular and aggressive for its era, with a long hood, short deck proportions that announced the car's front-engine, rear-drive layout. The Turbo A featured aerodynamic aids including a rear spoiler and subtle body enhancements. The pop-up headlights, a hallmark of 1980s sports car design, gave the A70 a clean frontal appearance when not illuminated. The targa-top option allowed open-air motoring while maintaining structural rigidity.
The A70 Supra proved its mettle in motorsport, with Group A racing versions competing in touring car championships worldwide. The car's robust construction and powerful engine made it competitive, and the racing program helped develop technology that would benefit production models. In Australia and New Zealand, the Supra was particularly successful in national touring car series.
Today, the A70 Supra has emerged from the shadow of its more famous A80 successor to find its own collector following. Values have risen significantly as enthusiasts recognize the A70's merits - its more analog driving experience, the tunability of the 7M-GTE engine, and the classic proportions of its styling. Clean, unmodified turbocharged examples are increasingly sought after, and the best examples rival A80 Supras in collector appeal.
The 7M-GTE's head gasket issue is well documented - check for signs of head gasket failure including coolant in the oil and overheating. Many engines have been upgraded with improved head gasket and ARP head studs, which is actually desirable. The R154 manual gearbox is preferred. Check for turbo shaft play and boost leaks. Rust can affect the underbody, particularly in northern climates. TEMS suspension components can fail and are difficult to source. Pop-up headlight motors can burn out. Verify the targa top seal condition if equipped. Original color and interior condition significantly affect value.
The A70 Supra was produced from 1986 to 1993 across two assembly plants. The Turbo A was the top Japanese-market specification. US-market cars received the 7M-GTE with slightly different tuning and emissions equipment. The A70 was also offered with naturally aspirated engines including the 7M-GE and, in some markets, the 1G-GTE 2.0L turbo.