Call me stupid...

[jondee86]

AE85/86 cars were produced in several trim and performance variants
on the Japanese domestic market. Then, to meet the requirements of
export markets, they were "customised" in countless ways. These
differences have been the source of endless discussion, argument and
debate in forums such this

However (IMHO) the only difference that really matters to an enthusiast
such as yourself, is that there were two versions of the Hachi. One was a
"performance" version with a factory 1600 EFI twincam, and the other
was a "shopping basket" version with a 1500 carbed single cam engine.

The performance version got all the good stuff; such as 4-wheel disc
brakes, 4A-GE, 5-speed manual, and often, a limited slip differential. This
is the car that was raced and rallied around the world

The shopping basket version got one of Toyotas basic 1500 single cam
engines with manual or auto box, drum brakes on the back axle, and a
standard differential. This is the car your mother would drive

All other differences between the versions are primarily cosmetic. Many
people upgrade the 1500 to 1600 specifications by exchanging parts, so
there are now a lot of "hybrid" Hachi's on the road.

Loving old cars, learning and having fun.... that's the important thing

Cheers... jondee86