12 DAYS OF DRIFTMAS: Toyota Corolla AE86

- A generation of drift fans have grown up with this as their icon, especially thanks to cult Japanese manga comic series Initial D, in which Takumi Fujiwara drove a modified AE86

- The AE86 was born from the fifth-generation Corolla, which was the first to feature front-wheel drive. But coupe models like this one maintained rear-wheel drive

- These rear-wheel drive Corolla coupes are frequently known as Hachiroku (or ‘eight-six’ in Japanese) in reference to the ‘AE86’ chassis code

- These Corolla coupes were the last Corollas with front-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive

- Numerous race wins and rally successes, plus its role in popularising drifting, has made this model one of Toyota's most famous models

- Modern-day GT86 very much seen (and marketed) as a spiritual successor to the AE86

- What were you expecting? This is an '80s Toyota

- No turbos here, just a near-8000rpm red line

- Longitudinally mounted 1.6-litre engine drives the rear wheels. Front-wheel drive Corolla that followed has never had the same enthusiast following. Funny that…

- Will do this all day. But would do it more easily if it had around 200bhp Photography by Dean Smith