SOME THINGS ABOUT....  

Some Things About Toysport

In 1980 Toysport was established to distribute Toyota Racing Development (TRD) sport parts. Toysport was also appointed as in-house consultant for TRD USA, Toysport initiated the Toyota "grass-root" support program.  When Toyota USA formed Toyota Motorsport in 1981, the Toysport program became the Toyota Motorsport Contingency Program.  In 2004, Toysport has remained in the forefront in meeting Toyota enthusiasts’ needs.

Team Toysport America Limited was incorporated in 1982 and actively continued support of TRD Japan/USA.  Toysport continues to supplement and complement the activities of Toyota Motorsport.  Toysport has handled vehicle display for Toyota Motor Sales USA, and prepared magazine cars for TRD USA and Toyota Public Relations.  Toyota
Technical Center and Toysport have compared technical notes continually.

Overseas, the principals of Toysport have worked with TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. (Japan) since 1965, and TOSCO (the original corporate name of TRD (Japan) since 1972.

The initial thrust of Toysport was engine development and accessory distribution. Working with "grassroots" Toyota racing teams and U.S. parts manufacturers allowed Toysport to be in the center of parts development and competition preparation. Toysport's commitment to Toyota racers and enthusiasts was total and encompassing.

This commitment earned us the continued cooperation of TOYOTA, TRD (Technocraft), TRD USA, the aftermarket manufacturers and importers. Working continually in expanding and developing our Toyota product lines, affiliated businesses have responded to our needs by adding and supplementing our product lines. A natural result- Toysport is the leading Toyota Tuning Specialist and WD for Toyota sports parts.

In1985 Toysport achieved many milestones.  From the leading winners in Toyota's contingency program to the top Toyota Racing Teams worldwide (TOM's Racing and TRUST of Japan), Toysport was actively involved in Motorsport activities. Our customers were entered in various SCCA, IMSA, SCORE and HDRA events. Our customers have won National championships for Toyota. Toysport entered international FIA sanctioned events and always placed in the top two positions in their classes, a perfect record. Multiple race track records were also set Willow Springs Raceway.

Attention away from Motorsport activities was a result of the tremendous growth in Toyota aftermarket parts. 1985 and 1986 model years saw the strongest Toyota sports model line-up in U.S. Toyota history. The arrival of the Twin Cam Supras, Celicas, Corollas and MR2 and the appearance of factory Turbo engines-
Toyota performance was on a high note. The influx of more Japanese parts alleviated the need to develop parts locally. Toyota enthusiasts were abundant, and Toysport was THE SOURCE.

In 1990 we purchased our present building. Our showroom has the most comprehensive display of sports parts; our service facility prepares engines and prototype work non-stop; our engine and chassis dyno allow continuous engine tuning and development. Toysport was also busy attending consumer / trade shows and preparing magazine vehicles.

Expanded foreign sales keep us busy identifying correct applications for foreign Toyota market models. We were exporting sports parts and accessories to Toyota enthusiasts and racers all over the world. Our expanded parts support for Old School and Milestone Toyota models has proven very successful and rewarding.

We have aggressively imported more varieties of Toyota engines than Toyota dared to bring in. Two, Four, Five valve TwinCam engines. Turbo, Super-charged, and Twin-charged. Single plug and Twin plug. Street, Prototype, Rally, and Racing. Been there, done that. Toyota Technicians from the different Toyota Regional centers continue to visit to see engines and cars that they only read about and seen in pictures. Toyota dealers call us for their customers’ special needs.

Every year we tease Toyota employees with Toysport prepared vehicles in the Toyota Oktoberfest car show at Toyota headquarters.

Our expertise in Toyota tuning has opened other major venues. Our reputation led to some unsolicited factory contracts. We worked with Nissan Competition on some prototype turbo vehicles and raced Showroom Stock 300ZXs. We worked with Mazda in the introduction of the 2nd generation RX7 Turbo. We worked with Honda Research and Mugen on Honda turbos (in their old Gardena location). Naturally no important information was shared. It was exciting times and a continuing learning process.

The performance aftermarket changed in the 90's, the sporty new models from Toyota stopped coming and current models disappeared.  Ironically, the sports aftermarket was booming with the other sporty and exotic offerings from other manufacturers. We tuned and modified Nissans, Mazdas, and Hondas- but we proudly kept our Toyota hat on.

By 1995 Toyota diehards insisted in RWD and kept all the older RWD models rolling. Fortunately, we have managed to capture more of the Toyota specialty market. The different Toyota clubs send us membership business. Our resources for Toyota parts remain phenomenal and unbeatable.

In 2000, Toysport celebrated 20 years of service to the Toyota enthusiasts in the U.S. The first 20 years have proven challenging but very rewarding. Our clientele base, which has changed demographically and geographically- has continued to grow.

We are honored to be "a pioneer of the import high performance industry", for "being around forever", as the "premier Toyota aftermarket specialist" and being "the ultimate skunkworks for modified Toyotas". Yes, we have had to defend Toyota and Toyota products to non-Toyotaphiles (and unhappy Toyota owners).  Magazines continue to give us editorial space despite remaining basically non-advertisers.

Somethings about Toyota Cars

Toyotas never die; they just get modified and restored. The Starlets, Corollas, Celicas, Supras, and MR2s continue to come for fresh power, suspension upgrades, or total restoration. Yes, the exotic 2000GT, Sport 800, Century, Crown, and Soarer continued to call.  Tercels, Camrys, and RAV4s are regulars. The Truck and SUV market has never been our focus, but we have prepared the best ones for the magazines and won National Championships!

We work exclusively with Toyotas and have turbocharged and modified more Toyota models, than any other company.  Is your car on our list?  See our PROJECT CAR list.

In 2005, the Celica and MR2 bow out.  The US Supra in 1997 (2000 in Japan).  The Levin and Trueno are also gone.  The AllTrac / GT4 Celica disappeared 1999.  All have followed the Toyota 2000GT- gone to Toyota’s great garage in the sky ….. , a couple left parked in my garage.  Cherished orphaned nameplates now. 

The 4AGE and 3SGE had been retired.  The 3SGTE is hiding in some non-descript Toyota.  The 2JZGTE is soon to follow all the other great legendary Toyota Twin Cams of the performance variety: 3M, 2TG, 3TGTE, and 7MGTE.  This has got to be the lowest point in Toyota product and engine line-up for the Toyota enthusiast.  The 2ZZGE better hide or find an engine compartment quick! 

So now we have collectibles.  Have you ever wondered or can remember how much the Toyota you are modifying originally cost?  After spending hundreds and thousands on parts and accessories- you will be so surprised that the cars are actually the cheapest “part” you ever bought- even if you bought it brand new!!!!  See our article about TOYOTA HISTORIC PRICING.

Somethings about our Customers

Our friends, customers, and dealers are global- in North and South America, the islands in the West Indies, the European Economic Community, and the deserts and oasis of the Middle East, the African continent, Australia, and all the nations in SE Asia- has given Toysport an international presence.

We have associates in the Toyota Network- in the US, Japan, and the different foreign markets were Toyotas roam and race. Friends and former employees work in the different Toyota Race Teams, Corporate office, in the US and Worldwide.

We have met so many enthusiasts, made so many friends, and faced so many different characters that a book can easily be filled with amusing and amazing stories.

We thank all our past and current customers for making all this activities possible. We look forward to servicing new customers, making new friends, and helping everyone get the most out of their Toyotas. We welcome you to come join us.

Somethings about our Suppliers

We carry any and all things Toyota.  Or try too.  Our business ties to past and current suppliers is one of mutual support and technical exchange.

Our biggest supplier is of course Toyota, we import any Toyota part from any Toyota market.  Of course TRD Sport parts are our specialty from Japan or the USA.

AEM, DC Sport, TODA, Fidanza, Tanabe, TEIN,  RSR, and other newbie importers make up our new lines.

We have been the first distributor for TRD and HKS. Kaminari, PIAA, Tokico, Centerforce, Sway-Away, Momo, Suspension Techniques, Eibach- all used Toysport to help fit, test, and launch their products in the USA.

We were early distributors for Greddy, K&N, Cibie, Mikuni, Recaro, Dough Thorley, and others. 

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