1987 Toyota Supra Turbo: Mk3 History, Value & Mecum Indy 2026 Auction
The third-generation Toyota Supra is one of the most underrated Japanese performance cars of the 1980s. Known internally as the A70, the Mk3 Supra is now gaining serious traction in the collector car market – and a pristine example is heading to the Toyota Supra auction block at Mecum’s Indy 2026 sale on May 16, 2026.
A New Identity: The Birth of the A70 Supra (1986)
When Toyota introduced the third-generation Supra in February 1986, it was a defining moment for the brand.
For the first time, the Supra dropped the “Celica” ties entirely and stood alone as a dedicated rear-wheel-drive sports grand tourer.
Built on a stretched Toyota Soarer (Z20) platform, the A70 was longer, lower, and wider than any previous Supra. Its sleek liftback body achieved a drag coefficient of just 0.33 – impressive for the era.
Development was led by chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi, who would later guide the creation of the Lexus F performance brand. Engineers even conducted prototype testing at the Nürburgring – the first time Toyota had ever evaluated a vehicle on the legendary German circuit.
High-Tech Features Standard from the Factory
The A70 arrived loaded with technology that set it apart from the competition.
All four corners featured an all-new multi-link independent suspension – a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Toyota’s Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS) gave drivers selectable Normal and Sport damping modes, a feature that was genuinely cutting-edge in 1986.
The base engine was Toyota’s 7M-GE, a naturally aspirated 3.0L DOHC 24-valve inline-six producing 200 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque. It was smooth and refined, but performance-minded buyers quickly looked to what Toyota had coming next.
The 7M-GTE Turbo: Japan's Fastest Production Car in America (1987)
The 1987 model year brought the upgrade that would define the A70 generation: the Supra Turbo.
Powered by the turbocharged 7M-GTE with an air-to-air intercooler, the Supra Turbo made 230-232 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. That translated to a 0-to-60 mph time of approximately 6.4 seconds – making it the fastest Japanese car available in the U.S. market at the time.
The 7M-GTE was also one of the first distributorless mass-production engines sold in the United States, using a wasted-spark ignition system with three individual coils.
Standard Turbo Equipment Included:
- Aisin R154 five-speed manual transmission (stronger than the base car’s W58 unit)
- Limited-slip differential
- Engine oil cooler
- Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS)
- Headlamp washers
A four-speed automatic was available as an alternative for buyers who preferred it.
Evolution and Refinement: 1988-1992
Toyota continued improving the A70 throughout its production run.
1989 brought the most notable updates: a refreshed front fascia with an integrated lower grille and fog lamps, a redesigned center stack, and the debut of the iconic White Exterior Appearance Package – complete with white body moldings and white saw-blade alloy wheels. The Turbo’s three-piece rear spoiler was also redesigned for a more aggressive look.
1990 added a driver’s airbag as standard equipment – a meaningful safety upgrade for the era.
1991 introduced new five-spoke alloy wheels and Toyota’s oval corporate badge on the front fascia.
Despite these ongoing improvements, U.S. sales declined sharply – from a peak of 33,823 units in 1986 to just 1,193 units in 1992. Stiffening competition from the Nissan 300ZX, Mitsubishi 3000GT, and the economic impact of the early 1990s recession all played a role.
Toyota ended U.S. A70 production in 1992, replacing it with the legendary Mk4 (A80) Supra for 1994.
Toyota Supra Price: What Is the A70 Worth Today?
For years, the Mk3 Supra was overlooked while its famous Mk4 sibling commanded the headlines. That is changing fast.
As Mk4 Supra values have climbed to six figures – often out of reach for most enthusiasts – collector interest in the A70 has grown steadily. The numbers now tell a compelling story:
- Average A70 Turbo auction price: approximately $24,800
- Record A70 Turbo sale: $88,888 for a pristine 1987 five-speed (February 2022)
- Recent Bring A Trailer results: a 1989 Supra Turbo sold for $20,500 in March 2026; a 1987 Turbo sold for $11,100 in April 2026
- Value appreciation: A70 Turbo prices have reportedly increased over 200% since 2013
Hagerty also notes that the A70’s buyer demographic skews notably younger than the classic car market average – a positive signal for sustained long-term demand.
Among all the Mk3 Supras expected to cross the auction block in 2026, one stands in a class of its own.
Mecum Auctions will offer a 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo at its Indy 2026 sale on May 16, 2026. This is not just a low-mileage survivor – it is one of the most preserved examples known to exist.
The Numbers:
- Total mileage: 5,257 miles from new
- Original purchase date: February 6, 1988
- Original purchase location: Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada
Why This Car Is Special
The White-on-Burgundy color combination is period-perfect – matching leather covers the seats, door panels, transmission tunnel, and dashboard, with brown floor mats completing the look. Original owner’s manuals are included.
Under the hood, the original 7M-GTE turbocharged inline-six remains intact, factory-rated at 231 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through the correct five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
Most remarkably, this car still rides on its original factory tires – a detail that speaks volumes about how little it has been driven. Evidence suggests it may have spent years on display rather than on the road.
This car previously appeared at auction with a no-sale result at $65,000. Its return to the block at Mecum Indy 2026 gives serious collectors a rare second opportunity.
Why the Mk3 Supra Is the Smart Collector Buy Right Now
The A70 Toyota Supra checks every box for the discerning collector: iconic styling, sophisticated engineering, a naturally strong following, and clear upward Toyota Supra price momentum.
With Mk4 Supras increasingly priced out of reach, the Mk3 offers an accessible – and rapidly appreciating – entry point into the Supra lineage.
Whether you’re searching for a weekend driver or a showroom-quality time capsule like the Mecum Indy 2026 offering, the third-generation Supra rewards buyers who act before the broader market fully wakes up to its potential.