by A Rare Toyota Cynos Convertible with the Bright Livery of the 90s
Toyota fans waiting for a new Celica or the return of the mid-engined MR2 might find satisfaction in another sports model from the brand’s past. The automaker is set to showcase a rare Toyota Cynos convertible, which is the Japanese version of the compact, front-wheel-drive Paseo coupe.
This car with a folding roof will appear at the Nostalgic 2 Days exhibition, taking place on February 21-22 at the Pacifico Yokohama conference center in Japan. The exhibit belongs to the Toyota Automobile Museum collection, which explains its perfect condition and authentic exterior that unmistakably evokes the aesthetics of the 90s.
Model History and Exhibit Features
The Toyota Cynos was first introduced in 1991 as a compact and affordable coupe. The second generation appeared in 1995. The specific convertible to be shown at the exhibition was produced in 1997. The conversion into a car with a folding roof was performed by the American firm American Specialty Cars (ASC) from Michigan, known for creating convertibles based on coupes for a number of manufacturers.
The car is painted bright yellow and has purple decals and chrome alloy wheels, making it a vivid illustration of the era before the mass spread of smartphones. Black bumper extensions, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and fog lights add to its sporty appearance.
The interior, judging by the available photos, features a characteristic light gray upholstery, and the seats are adorned with colorful graphic inserts, which also match the spirit of the time.
Despite its sporty stance, the Cynos (or Paseo for other markets) had front-wheel drive and a technical basis shared with more modest models of the time, such as the Starlet P90 and Tercel L50. The most powerful version was equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 108 hp and 136 Nm of torque.
Accompanying Exhibit – A Rally Legend
The Cynos convertible will not be the only interesting exhibit at the Nostalgic 2 Days exhibition. Alongside it, a true rally legend will be shown – the Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST185). This car recently underwent restoration, returning it to the appearance it had in 1993 when it won Rally Australia. At the wheel then was Juha Kankkunen, and this victory helped Toyota win the manufacturers’ title in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in the history of the Japanese auto industry.
In total, the company has nine manufacturers’ titles and ten drivers’ titles in the WRC, largely thanks to the efforts of the Gazoo Racing division.
Such exhibitions demonstrate how automakers preserve their heritage, even when it comes to not the most mass-produced models. The Cynos was never a global star, but it embodies a certain era in Toyota’s design and market strategies. Its appearance alongside a victorious rally car creates an interesting contrast between an affordable, stylish road car and a high-tech sports machine that won the highest awards. This reminds us of the diversity of the brand’s history, which is often associated mainly with reliable family models but has many interesting sporting pages.
