An American man in rural Japan discovered a rare KE27 Corolla Levin that has stolen hearts around the world

The KE27 Toyota Corolla Levin has captured online attention after an American man stumbled upon one in Japan.

Parked modestly between a brand-new Corolla and a Toyota Crown, the aging Levin stood out like a nostalgic gem among modern metal.

The man, curious and delighted, struck up a conversation with the friendly local staff who eagerly invited him to take photos.

Soon, an older gentleman joined in, reminiscing about his AE86 – the Levin’s successor – and its carbureted engine, sparking a lively chat about drifting and old-school tuning.

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Why was the AE86 Toyota Corolla so popular?

The car’s enduring popularity is no accident.

Produced from 1983 to 1987, it was the last of the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive Corollas, which was considered a perfect blend of balance, responsiveness, and reliability.

The AE86 Toyota Corolla is offered as both the Levin (with fixed headlights) and Trueno (with pop-ups).

Both versions shared the high-revving 1.6-liter 4A-GE engine which quickly became a favorite among amateur racers and drifters for its tunability and rev-happy character.

On Japan’s winding roads, it became the car to beat.

Not because of brute power, but because of its razor-sharp handling and driver-focused simplicity.

It embodied the golden age of analog driving, long before electronics and turbochargers dominated performance culture.

The AE86 is best known due to Initial D

But its fame truly exploded beyond Japan thanks to the cult anime Initial D, where Takumi Fujiwara’s humble AE86 Sprinter Trueno humiliated supercars while delivering tofu down Mount Akina.

Today, the AE86 stands as a cultural icon, and the ‘Initial D car’ spotted by kokopower333 on Instagram is a very rare example of one in good condition.

Collectors call the rising market value the ‘Takumi Tax,’ referencing the Initial D protagonist, and enthusiasts around the world still chase the dream of building their own ‘hachiroku’, which is Japanese for ‘eight-six’.

These guys managed to find the legendary AE86 Trueno on Alibaba for only $10,000, which was a steal.

And even Fast & Furious star Sung Kang, a.k.a Han, can’t resist working on an old AE86, showing the widespread appeal for the humble vehicle.

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