The first generation was from 1979-1981 and visually the cars were very similar to the Celica. The car was lengthened about 5 inches to accommodate the larger engine and there were a few other minor differences to tell them apart. This generation Supra was offered by Matchbox (as an XX) and Yat Ming. Tomica added a “Supra” sticker to their existing Celica casting, but this did not a Supra make.
The second generation Celica Supra debuted in 1981 as a 1982 model. The Japanese models were still known as the Celica XX, but the car remained the Celica Supra in the rest of the world. The second generation Supra was differentiated from the Celica much more than the original car. In addition to having the front stretched to accommodate the larger engine, the cars share no body panels in front of the doors. The Supra had fully retracting headlights, a power bulge hood, and different (larger) taillights. This generation of Supra was very popular in small scale with models from Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Tomica, Welly, Yat Ming, Zylmex, Summer, and others. The Matchbox model featured an opening hatchback, while the Zylmex, Tomica, and Welly all had opening doors. The Welly is a copy of the Tomica, with added details including a switch from right hand drive to left hand drive.
While the Celica was completely redesigned for 1986, and switched to front wheel drive, the Supra remained rear wheel drive, continuing on as the Celica Supra through mid year, when the third generation Supra was released. The MK III dropped the Celica moniker and retained rear wheel drive. While this was the best selling Supra generation, surprisingly, there are very few replicas in small scale. Tomica mocked up a prototype but it never entered production. Bluebox released an ’87 Supra with a cast over rear window, and in the early 2000s Summer released a highly stylized (and unlicensed) MK III also. The definitive MK III is CM’s rally car, however, a nice casting of a civilian MK III is a glaring omission in 1/64 scale. This would make a great candidate for a Tomica Limited Vintage Neo.
In 1993 the final generation of Supra debuted. The MK IV is usually considered the best of the breed by Supra enthusiasts, and is the first (and often only) Supra that comes to mind when someone hears the words. Pop-up headlights were gone, twin turbos were added, and a spoiler reminiscent of the Dodge Charger Daytona & Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird was standard (at least on the turbo models). The MK IV was replicated by Matchbox and Tomica when the car debuted, and a number of other manufacturers after it starred in “The Fast & The Furious”, among them Hot Wheels (the unlicensed “Super Tsunami”), Racing Champions, Jada, and Muscle Machines. Johnny Lightning was supposed to revive the Racing Champions casting but they eventually canceled the line of “Fast And Furious” cars they were planning to release when the latest movie came out.
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