Project Supra: A Dream Achieved

25 October 2025

Those who know me know that all my life I've grown up around Toyota Supra's. During my childhood, my dad had owned eight, and at one point even my neighbor had one. Therefore, it's just natural that I began to dream about owning one one day. Before the internet clout, as a four-year-old in preschool, I would draw side-profiles of Supra's in my spare time, and attempt to draw the JZA80's fighter-cockpit looking dash. My spare time as a young six-year-old was spent reading my dad's old NZPC magazines, memorizing the specs list of every major Supra build in New Zealand - such as MADBAZ.

Even now, my dad has two Supra's, 'BOS KA' his 1B9 RZ-s Getrag Series-2, and his 040 Aerotop which he just finished building. 

Him being the founder and organiser of local Supra club 'MK4 House', over the years I continued to see clean JZA80's on a regular basis, dreaming about owning one one day.

After selling the Crown, we somehow managed to find one near my budget, and after a bit of negotiating, secured it. Located in Auckland, we took the next flight up from Christchurch at 5.45am Sunday morning to begin our journey.

A bone-stock 1994 Toyota Supra SZ JZA80, that's automatic, and in 199 Alpine Silver, it's probably the least desirable spec possible. However, its had a clean history: last owner has owned since 2012 and kept full service history, not reregistered, and consistent odometer. Furthermore, its as close to unmolested as you can find. 

Other than a K&N poddy, some H.I.D's, a pair of Pioneer tweeters, and a Venom Automotive aerial delete cap, its bone stock - down to the head unit. The previous owner Steve was an absolute gentleman, who kept her in great condition, never making any modifications, and keeping a full service history.

As for tyres, a set of near new Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003's are around the stock 16's.

After arriving in Auckland at 8am, we quickly left for the journey down. Despite its undesirable spec, I was suprised by how fun it still was to drive! What too suprised me however was just how slow the GE is - a foot to the floor is a must for the passing lanes.

Our first stop was Turangi for a quick lunch.

And then our journey to Wellington continued. Arriving an hour or so early, we stopped by K C Cafe & Takeaway for some dinner before heading off to the 8.30pm ferry. 

Luckily the ferry was really quiet on the day so all the cars were loaded onto the lower deck - no risk of scraping, no salt all over the car, and no potential damage from the anchor ropes.

We arrived in Picton around midnight, and from here, my dad did the driving until Amberly, allowing me to finally get some rest in the passenger seat. 

Finally, by 4.30am, we arrived back home in Christchurch - no unexpected suprises, no issues, no damage on the car.

It feels surreal to finally own my dream car. It's hard to believe! 

While an amazing car already, she definitely needs some nice 18's, some low, and maybe a new sound system... I guess I got some work to do then.