Long before the Toyota Supra became famous for its turbocharged engines and appearances in The Fast and the Furious and Gran Turismo video games, it was a six-cylinder version of the Celica. One of these early models, a 1981 Toyota Celica Supra, is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer.
Finished in Light Blue Metallic with a matching blue interior, this first-generation Supra has a 2.8-liter inline-six engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. It’s a very different machine from the high-performance Supras that followed, with a greater emphasis on comfort and refinement.
The car also comes with a surprising amount of equipment for its age, including air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, and even a cassette stereo with a graphic equalizer. It has also received substantial mechanical attention recently.
The current owner acquired the Supra in 2025, and it’s now being offered through a dealer on consignment. The auction has no reserve, meaning the highest bidder will take it home regardless of the final price.
Where The Supra Story Began
First introduced in Japan in 1978, and one year later in the U.S., the original Celica Supra was based on the second-generation Celica but with a longer front end to accommodate its inline-six engine. It was designed as a more refined grand tourer rather than an outright sports car.
This 1981 example has a fuel-injected 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine producing 116 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.
According to the listing, recent mechanical work includes replacing the cylinder head gasket, valve stem seals, lower engine bearings, oil pan gasket, spark plugs, and muffler. That’s a substantial list of repairs, although prospective buyers should still assess the car’s mechanical condition.
A Properly Retro Interior
The Supra retains its distinctive blue cabin, complete with cloth-and-vinyl seats and a four-spoke steering wheel. Its dashboard features an 85-mph speedometer, tachometer, and additional gauges for engine and electrical information.
Outside, the car rides on 14-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels and features a front spoiler, metal sunroof, and rear window wiper. The body was repainted under previous ownership, and the seller notes imperfections on several panels.
There are also some interior flaws, including a cracked radio bezel, but overall, the car appears to still have much of its original character.
There’s One Important Mileage Catch
Although the five-digit odometer displays approximately 4,500 miles, the actual mileage is unknown. The Carfax report notes a possible odometer rollover in 1996 and later mileage inconsistencies, while the Arizona title carries an “Exceeds Mechanical Limits” notation.
The same report shows no accidents, but the uncertain mileage is something bidders should consider. At the time of writing, bidding had reached $6,100, with the no-reserve auction scheduled to end on October 28. Whoever wins will be taking home a very different kind of Supra from the turbocharged models that made the name famous.