Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 54: 1988 Toyota MR2 at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle is a Mk1 T-bar; it is a UK car with a leather interior; it is a car for restoration; and it has original extras and a history file.
What to check on any Toyota MR2 Mk1, AW11
- Rust is the main enemy.
- Start with the rear wheelarches, then the sills and jacking points, which are hidden behind plastic covers, so ask whether the covers have been off.
- Check the front wheelarches, lower front wings, door bottoms, the bases of the A and B-pillars, floorpans, the rear subframe mountings and the rear valance.
- Look under the front bumper at the crash bar and its seams, and at the front slam panel.
- In the front luggage area, check the front corners, spare wheel well and liner seams.
- Bubbling around the windscreen surround and front roof section is common, especially on sunroof and T-bar cars where blocked drain holes trap water.
Checks for this car
- Check the rear arches and sills.
- Check the T-bar roof seals for leaks.
- It is sold as a restoration project.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- What work does the vendor think it needs?
- What is in the history file?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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