American guys working on a fake poorly made Toyota from China spend $5,000 transforming it for the track
Published on Apr 15, 2026 at 12:09 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 15, 2026 at 7:48 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Some American guys have been working hard on a badly made fake Toyota AE86 from China, as they attempt to transform it into a car made for the racetrack.
YouTubers BigTime bought the first of these fake Toyota AE86 body shells and have been trying to upgrade it and make it as realistic as possible.
But they set themselves a budget of $5,000 to upgrade the car, and they have been trying to get the car ready to take to the racetrack.
That is a massive undertaking, but they don’t seem too fazed by the task at hand.
What exactly is this fake Toyota from China?
The car in question is a fake Toyota AE86.
Built in China, the car was then imported into the United States, and the YouTubers aimed to improve it as much as possible.
Built from 1983 to 1987, the AE86 was renowned as a lightweight sports coupe.
The 1.6-liter 4A-GE twin-cam engine was just part of the recipe that made it such a great car.
So, what parts did BigTime buy to get the car track ready?
One was a Duraflex body kit, helping complete the aesthetic of the Toyota.
New wheels and grippier tires were also bought, including a quick-release Momo steering wheel for racing.
They did manage to buy original manufacturer taillights for the car, further completing the look.
With all those parts added, the question was, would it work on the track?
This is how the Chinese car fared on the track
The results of the additional parts and upgrades were impressive.
The body kit and OEM taillights definitely helped the YouTubers to give off the 1980s aesthetic.
But they did have some trepidation.
“I’m excited about the new suspension, I think it’s going to be really good,” said one of them.
“My biggest concern is with the rear end, it’s an OEM limited-slip from 40 years ago, so I don’t think it’s limited slip anymore,” he added.
The first test didn’t go to plan as the team ripped the corner of the front bumper off.
When it was finally on the track, there were definite positives.
The lightweight chassis felt great, and it was fun to drive.
But there were issues with the power that needed addressing.
With a few more mods, this car could output some serious performance.
Toyota AE86 timeline
1983: The lightweight, rear-wheel-drive AE86 generation of the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno is introduced in Japan
1984: The car makes its debut in the North American market as the Corolla Sport GT-S
1986: The AE86 proves its motorsport capabilities by helping secure the European Touring Car Championship manufacturer’s title
1987: Production officially ends as the Corolla lineup shifts entirely to a front-wheel-drive platform
1995: The Initial D street racing manga debuts and cements the AE86 as a massive global pop culture icon
2000s: The affordable and balanced chassis becomes a legendary staple in professional drifting series like the D1 Grand Prix
2012: The GT86 sports car is launched as a modern spiritual successor honoring the original classic
2021: Gazoo Racing begins reproducing discontinued spare parts for the vehicle through the GR Heritage Parts Project
2023: Retrofitted hydrogen and battery-electric AE86 concept cars are showcased at the Tokyo Auto Salon to promote carbon neutrality
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
