[Enter an Era]

In 2008, I had already spent one year stationed at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, as my first duty station as a new airman. Almost every day I searched classifieds with the keywords: Skyline, NSX, and Supra. One day, a 1994 6spd Twin Turbo Toyota Supra appeared. Living in the barracks, I knew $27K was out of reach while paying on a newly acquired 2004 WRB WRX STi. Two weeks later, the price of the Supra dropped to $24K; and then one week later it was $21K. “What’s wrong with it? Why hasn’t it sold? It’s one of few Supras you don’t have to ship from the mainland,” I thought. Little did I know—living off the government—the housing market crash in 2008 wrecked many into financial ruin.

The following night, I arrived at the owner’s home in the city of Mililani. There it sat voluptuously on the factory five-spoke wheels, beautiful red paint, tan leather interior, and nearly stock condition at 82K miles. Popping the hood revealed an inline-six paired with cramped twin-turbos and a sea of vacuum lines. It was a change from my inline & flat fours. The bay subtly showcased old school JDM technology. That tech, six years after worldwide production end, still gave modern cars a run for their money.

He took me on a ride and I couldn’t believe it was already faster than my modified STi. Initially, there was no intent on offering what I didn’t have—$21K. After the drive, he asked, “What do think?” I sat and pondered how much money I could move, which credit cards I’d use, and how low an offer I’d make. My offer was $17K, and I worried he was insulted. He discussed in private with his wife and came outside within a few minutes, “We need to sell… you’re the only offer we have, so we’ll take $17K.” I almost backed out (foreseeing financial strain), but within seven days the owner met me at my bank. I drove my first Supra back to the barracks, with the Targa top off, basking in the tropical sun. All the way home I listened to the hum of the 2JZGTE bounce off the highway barrier wall. Immediately my STi was listed and sold for the payoff, and the Supra became my daily driver.

During ownership, I chased bigger horsepower numbers starting at BPU and progressed to APU. Both BPU & APU are notorious Supra acronyms for, “Basic Performance Upgrades”, and “Advanced Performance Upgrades.” It was a steady climb from 411hp, to 524hp, and finally, 604hp, providing infinite smiles per gallon for nine years.

Going single turbo for the first time was an adventure. The best thing about going single was: a fraction of the vacuum lines leftover, half the oil & water lines, one less turbo failure to worry for, and the picturesque view. A drawback, but one many get used to, was the newly added turbo lag. Most people equate it to good foreplay before the fun begins.

It gave the fondest memories of sunset cruises in Hawaii, late-night top speed runs on the Autobahn in Germany, and the long-term Supra friends in Florida I would make.

That red Supra would later be sold in 2017. The trips it took around the globe in the hands of contracted shipping companies beat it up. The entire powertrain was removed and the rolling shell was sold at the peak of its market at the time. Most know now that it could fetch more in the current market. I did not exit the Supra game as the powertrain was implanted into my replacement, and much better condition, hardtop SE Supra. Had it not been for my first MKIV Supra, it’s possible I would’ve never made it into one of the greatest cars of the golden JDM era.