The Toyota Supra has a long history starting from the 1970's when Toyota introduced the rear wheel driven "Celica XX" 'grand tourer' in April 1978 as a direct competitor to the Nissan 'Fairlady Z'. Its styling was based upon the popular Celica hatchback design and a stretched Celica wheelbase as used on the CAL-1 pick-up truck prototype shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1977. In Japan the XX was available with a choice of a 2.0ltr or 2.6ltr engine.

The 2.6-liter inline-6 engine (4M-EU) was the first Toyota production engine to be equipped with a Denso-Bosch L-Jettronic electronic fuel injection. The "Celica XX" was available with both a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed Aishin automatic with an overdrive 4th, and came standard with 4-wheel-independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes. For the world market, the car was introduced a year after its Japanese launch and was named the "Celica Supra".

Except for the addition of luxury items such as optional Connoly leather seating and automatic climate-control, the "Celica XX" remained unchanged until August 1980. In that year, the 2.6ltr engine was uprated to the 2.8-liter single overhead cam engine (5M-EU), a revised 4-speed automatic transmission and final drive gearing.

July 1981 saw the 2nd generation, a complete redesign of the entire Celica line-up, one obvious change was that the car now featured retractable headlights. Underpinings were shared with the Toyota Soarer with a little magic dusted on them from Lotus. The new 5M-GE engine still displaced 2.8 liters, but now sported double overhead cams. February 1982 saw the introduction of a new engine to the lineup , the 145hp 2.0ltr turbo (M-TEU)

Changes on the 1984 models included engine modifications, the 5M-GEU upto 175hp, and ECT-S electronic controlled fully automatic four-speed. A water-cooled intercooler is newly adopted for the turbo model M-TEU engine, maximum horsepower 160ps/5400rpm.

The next major change was 1986 when the Supra was finally given its own identity. No longer part of the Celica range, the 1986 Supra was equipped with a 3.0 liter DOHC engine and retained the four-wheel disc brakes and all-independent suspension of its predecessors. In 1987, Toyota added a turbocharged model to the line, making it the first Toyota model to be available with both a turbocharged engine and anti-lock brakes. The 1987 Supras were available with an optional targa-type Sport Roof for open-air driving.

With the exception of minor styling updates, the next major change occurred in 1993, when the Supra entered the realm of "supercars." Available in both Turbo and non-Turbo guise, the new Toyota Supra was a radical departure from Supras of old. Performance was now the name of the game, and many weight saving measures were employed -- Toyota went so far as to equip the vehicle with hollow carpet fibers and make the rear spoiler (optional on Turbo models) hollow. The Turbo model was hailed by all major magazines as a true worldbeater. With 280-horsepower, the vehicle was capable of 0-60 mph sprints in under 5 seconds, and carried on to an electronically-limited top speed of 112 mph.