Just like the old days... (???)
With no V8 musclecar heritage to build on, Toyota has looked elsewhere for inspiration to show off its sporty credentials at the SEMA show.
Enter the Yaris Club, Toyota Racing Development’s quirky homage to the late 1960s when Toyota Japan was planning an assault on the US Can-Am series with the Toyota 7 racing car.
The Toyota 7s only ever raced in Japan as their proposed Can-Am challenge was axed when two factory drivers were killed during testing – but that’s no reason not to like the racey little Yaris Club.
Powered by a TRD supercharged four cylinder motor making 166bhp, the one-off special looks lots of fun with its stripped out interior and a custom-built tonneau turning the car into a singe-seat speedster.
The stripey red and ‘vintage white’ paint job lends a suitably racey feel, and the chassis has been upgraded with lowered sports suspension and larger brakes.
To put the driver in the mood, there’s a Sparco seat and harness, along with race-inspired steering wheels, shifter knob and pedals.
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