Skip advert
Advertisement

Rare BTCC Toyota Supra to star in Silverstone Classic Race Car Sale

The car was driven during the 1985 season by Grand Prix motorcycle champ Barry Sheene

Excitement might be building for an all-new Toyota Supra but the classic models still have plenty to offer - especially when it's an ex-BTCC car driven by the legendary motorcycle racer, Barry Sheene.

The ex-works Group A touring car is set to cross the block in July's Silverstone Classic Race Car Sale, hosted by Silverstone Auctions this July.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's a car of impressive provenance, having been built to contest the 1985 BTCC season - back then known as the Trimoco RAC British Saloon Car Championship - with Barry Sheene at the wheel.

Sheene had retired from motorcycle racing the year before, with 500c Grand Prix titles in 1976 and 1977 to his name, along with 23 Grand Prix victories. In a test at Goodwood, Sheen proved only 0.4 seconds slower than Toyota's previous hot-shoe driver Win Percy, securing him a seat for the 1985 season.

Sheene never won in the Supra, but did take a third place finish at Thruxton and another third place at Silverstone, only two weeks after being involved in a crash that required Toyota to re-shell the car. The example for sale at Silverstone is this re-shelled racer, in which Sheene scored several more top-six results in 1985.

Chassis 00056255 packs a 2759cc, naturally-aspirated inline six built to Group A regulations by Hughes of Beaconsfield, which campaigned the car on behalf of Toyota UK. Since 2012 the car has enjoyed a full restoration, including overhauls of the suspension, clutch, braking system and fuel system.

In its current state of tune it's developing 204bhp through a five-speed 'dogbox', and was most recently seen at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Its next owner shouldn't struggle to run the car, as the listing also comes with a comprehensive spares package, including everything from diffs and driveshafts to a full bottom end, head castings and race cams.

The Supra is estimated to make between £60,000-80,000, plus VAT and a 15 per cent buyers' premium. A not insignificant amount, but not bad for such a rare and distinctive car - and one driven by one of the world's great motorcycle racers.

You can find the lot listing for the Supra over at Silverstone Auctions.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota 222D – dead on arrival
Toyota 222D
Features

Toyota 222D – dead on arrival

This 750bhp rallying MR2 could have seen Toyota conquer the stages, but instead fate intervened
21 Mar 2024
Toyota’s GR division hasn’t given up on combustion engines just yet
Toyota GR86
News

Toyota’s GR division hasn’t given up on combustion engines just yet

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division will continue to investigate hydrogen-fuelled engines for road-going performance cars, as well as developing pure elect…
3 Dec 2023
Toyota's FT-Se sports car could make production
Toyota FT-Se sports car concept
News

Toyota's FT-Se sports car could make production

Pure-electric GR-badged two-seater is a concept for now – but a production version hasn’t been ruled out
3 Dec 2023
Toyota GR86 is back on sale: new UK allocation announced
GR86 opener
News

Toyota GR86 is back on sale: new UK allocation announced

Toyota sold its entire two-year allocation of the GR86 coupe in 90 mins in 2022 but new cars have been found.
8 Jun 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024