The Toyota Corolla AE86 is a car that needs no introduction. Whether you're a passive fan of tuner cars and the culture or a hardcore enthusiast, the allure of the AE86 is undeniable. It's a car that ignited a cult following and still captivates new generations of gearheads nearly 40 years later. It's a car embodying the adage: they don't make 'em like they used to. The AE86 – nicknamed "Hachi-Roku" (Japanese for "eight-six") – is arguably the most famous "momentum car" due to its slim curb weight and agile handling, allowing it to punch above its weight class around the track and the twisties. It's not necessarily fast, but it's also not supposed to be. It's a car with a heritage and a big personality. It's a Motegi car.
From Keiichi's drift escapades in the early Option Video days to the meteoric rise of Initial D, the AE86 is well documented and portrayed in tuner culture as the classic underdog contender. Its reputation is partly due to the car's RWD format and 1.6-liter 4A-GE engine. On paper, it's easy to dismiss. But the car's responsiveness, rev-friendly motor, and balanced weight distribution compensate for its deceptive power numbers. It's a slow car that likes to be driven fast.
So, when you're a noted car culture expert and founder of some of the industry's most prominent lifestyle brands of the last two decades like Mark is, a car like the AE86 makes sense. It's a time capsule. A testament to the heyday of JDM classics. It's the original recipe. The secret sauce. For Mark Arcenal, it's a time-tested survivor and piece of automotive history that's built to be passed down to future generations.
With over two decades of drifting under his belt, Mark's no stranger to lightweight and RWD Japanese cars. Over the years, his collection has spanned the likes of the iconic 1972 Skyline GT2000, SR20DET powered S14 Nissan 240sx, and for the last ten years: this AE86. He has tended to every facet of the Corolla's transformation journey, from suspension, engine work, and power adders to the tasteful exterior style cues. The result is a functional JDM classic built to be driven hard.
"As far as drift culture goes, it's definitely one of the staples in the community. People love it; it's easy to drift and nimble. It's just so much fun for a car coming straight out of the box," says Arcenal.
However, this build has a much deeper-rooted meaning and purpose for Mark. Call it an homage to AE86's famed lore or the origin story for a new generation of drifter, but this Corolla has been built in preparation for his son to take over the wheel one day. This is the sort of grassroots story that we at Motegi live for: new generations of enthusiasts following in the footsteps of their families and continuing their legacy.
"The most significant thing about the 86 is seeing my son grow up with it. Every year I've taken photos of him next to the car. So, just seeing that photo series with him is just super amazing," says Mark.
"It's a car that you could learn how to master once you've really practiced. It was one of those really fun cars to own back then," explains Arcenal.
Mark is a wheel guy. Like, a really big wheel guy. So, when it came to modifying the JDM classic, he chose a wheel with some timeless steez and track-built brawn. Modeled after the style cues of classic motorsport wheels, the Tsubaki's design features a split-spoke, concave design that perfectly matches the AE86's iconic body lines and track-focused stance. Arcenal opted for an aggressive staggered setup with 15x9" -15mm upfront and 15x10" -25mm in the rear. He explains: "If you're going for time attack, the wider the track you get on your car, the better."
The Motegi MF414 Tsubaki features a 2-piece construction made from 6061-T6 forged aluminum and is custom-built to your spec. We designed the Tsubaki with a stepped lip configuration to reduce weight, unsprung mass, and improve return on inertia. The result? An ultra-capable performance wheel with unrivaled style. However, it doesn't end there. We put the power in your hands, allowing you to personalize your finish options. Choose from fully polished to custom powder-coated finishes and dial in your ride's vibe to your vision.
"You can customize it. You can order it in any size you want. Any offset, any width. That's the difference when you're buying a forged wheel versus a cast wheel," explained Mark.
Name: Mark Arcenal
Car: 1985 Toyota Corolla AE86
Wheel: Motegi MF414 Tsubaki 2-Piece Forged
Size: 15x9" ET-15 front and 15x10" ET-25 rear
Finish: Polished
