Skip to main content

An abandoned Toyota Supra haunts the mountains of Japan

Found a crashed Supra in the mountains in Japan
We have been mourning the death of the Supra ever since Toyota discontinued the line in 2002. And though a new generation is (finally) in the works, it’s hard to imagine that the original run can be replaced. People collect, modify, and race Supras to this day, and one such enthusiast found a storied example of one in the Japanese mountains.
Recommended Videos

According to his website, Alexi moved from Australia to Japan in 2008 to make drift videos. He recently posted a video that is different from most of his uploads. Instead of driving sideways, Alexi is seen hiking through “an undisclosed location deep in the mountains of Japan” to “investigate the legend of the unrecoverable Supra.”

The car in question appears to be a right-hand-drive A70 Supra. The third generation Supra was in production from 1986-1993. Due to the condition, it’s not easy to pinpoint the exact year of the derelict, but looking at what’s left of the wheels, taillights, and even the seatbelt holders on the front seats, we’d peg this as an ’89 or ’90 model.

The car is at the bottom of the hill, practically buried in leaves and other forest debris, and we’re certain some animals have made their homes inside. Though the steering wheel and driver’s seat are missing, it does have a roll cage, indicating that this car was raced in some fashion. Alexi surmises that this is what led to its leafy grave. We’re inclined to agree.

There is some body damage, which further solidifies this car’s possible speedy history. We have to wonder if there are any unseen modifications — the partially buried front end may conceal something special under the hood.

Passionate motor heads would salvage vehicles in far worse condition than this, and though it is not clear where exactly this poor hulk of a Supra is lying, perhaps this video will motivate some local treasure hunters. We’d like to see the entire vehicle pulled and at least worked into running condition. But we also know how often abandoned vehicles are picked clean, trim piece by trim piece, until there’s little more than a chassis remaining.

Albert Khoury
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Al started his career at a downtown Manhattan publisher, and has since worked with digital and print publications. He's…
2021 Honda Pilot vs. 2021 Toyota Highlander

If you're in the market for a new family car, odds are you're looking at a crossover and not at a minivan. Car-based people movers with a tall seating position and a generously-sized interior are taking over the market, and it's not difficult to see why. They're often spacious, safe, reasonably efficient, and loaded with useful tech features.

Further reading

Read more
2021 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Ford Explorer
2020 Ford Explorer

Many families need a three-row SUV because it's a packaging solution that provides seating for more than five passengers, loads of cargo space, and strong towing capacity. Many also perform well off the beaten path thanks to the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD) and a raised ride height. The segment is growing and the competition is only getting hotter between these versatile vehicles. The Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer are household names because of their long-running success in the SUV world. Redesigned for the 2020 model year, both SUVs now offer the latest in tech and safety, and each one has a hybrid variant. Those in the market for a three-row cannot overlook the Highlander and Explorer. But which one is right for you? Keep reading and we’ll help you decide.  
Tech features
Toyota Highlander

Regardless of the trim you get, the Highlander and Highlander Hybrid come well equipped with lots of tech and driver-assistance features. The base, fleet-only L and LE trims come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen (the same as the Explorer), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system found in the Limited trim adds a navigation system and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. The top system (optional in the Limited and standard on Platinum) adds a large 12.3-inch touchscreen (larger than the Explorer's). There are two sizes for the digital instrument cluster screen; the two base trims get a 4.2-inch screen, but the others get a larger 7.0-inch display that's smaller than the Explorer's. Some other notable tech features include wireless smartphone charging, a rearview mirror camera, and a 10.0-inch head-up display.
Ford Explorer 

Read more
Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V: The differences and the similarities
2017 Honda CR-V

Toyota's RAV4 and Honda's CR-V were rivals well before the crossover became the go-to family car across America. Both have evolved considerably over the past two decades to meet the needs of a growing group of buyers, and they earned a spot on the list of the best-selling cars in the U.S. along the way. They overlap in several key areas, including their overall dimensions and their starting price, but they're also very different from certain angles.

Read on to find out how these two popular crossovers compare on paper.
Further reading

Read more