Chances are, if you’re a fan of the earlier Gran Turismo games, you’d recognise this car rather well. The TRD 3000GT Supra, immortalized in the digital realm, is now making a real-world comeback courtesy of TOM’s, the Japanese tuning outfit with 50 years of expertise. In a nod to the past and an eye on the future, TOM’s restoration department steps into the limelight with a meticulously restomodded project inspired by the legendary and very iconic-looking TRD.
Originating as a road-legal adaptation of the GT500 class racing Supra showcased in the 1994 Tokyo Auto Salon, the TRD 3000GT holds a distinct place in automotive history. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) introduced this model to mark the Supra’s entry into the Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC). Its iconic features that Supra owners could order included a vented hood, aggressive bumpers, enlarged side skirts, and a massive rear wing, all wind tunnel tested of course. TRD even produced 35 complete cars for sale!
For this project, TOM’s opted for a 2000 Supra RZ as the foundation. They tuned the 2JZ-GTE engine, achieving a rather modest output of approximately 380 PS (375 hp) and 333 lb-ft of torque. The aero parts from the TRD 3000GT, which had been out of production for around 25 years, underwent careful repair and restoration before being reinstalled.
To complement the performance upgrades, TOM’s utilized the suspension from their own Advox Sports line. This was paired with eye-catching gold Bridgestone Potenza RW007 wheels and Bridgestone Potenza S007A tires, ensuring a seamless blend of performance and aesthetics. Adding a distinctive touch, TOM’s chose a unique green hue for the car’s paint, reminiscent of the iconic Castrol-liveried Supras and a deliberate nod to TOM’s founder Nobuhide Tachi’s racing legacy with Turbo Celicas in the 1970s.
Continuing their commitment to preserving automotive heritage, TOM’s restoration department has set its sights on a diverse range of JDM classics. Beyond the A80 Supra, their expertise extends to models such as the TE27 and AE86 Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno, Z20 Soarer, X100 Chaser, W20 MR2, and A70 and A80 Supras. In a strategic move, TOM’s also plans to reproduce several out-of-production parts, ensuring that these iconic Toyotas not only receive meticulous restoration but also secure a sustainable future on our roads. Given the current upward trend in the prices of these vintage Japanese cars, it really comes as no surprise! Still, we’re not complaining!
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