Preserving & Protecting a 1989 Toyota MR2 Mk1 from Rust & Corrosion

[Opening Scene]
Mark:
Hi guys, it's Mark here, and welcome to another episode of Driveway Icons.

During our little filming break, I managed to take a break... on my leg! But we're back, and today I'm joined by Dave with his fantastic Toyota MR2 Mark 1.

We're going to jump inside and have a proper chat about it.

[Inside the Car]
Mark:
So Dave, we're in the MR2... or as I used to call them, "Mr Two."

Dave:
Yeah, that's right!

Mark:
Why's that then?

Dave:
Well, I got into these cars when I was about 18 or 19. My first one was a Mark 2, then I had a few more after that.

This particular one’s from 1989.

Mark:
Ah, 1989... I was only about 13 at the time. I remember seeing these around — with their pop-up headlights — and thinking "Mr Two... what a funny name for a car!"

I always assumed there was a "Mr One," but apparently not.

Dave:
Nope, just the MR2 — no "Mr One."

Mark:
So when did they first come out?

Dave:
I believe it was around 1984. There were two early versions — the Mark 1A and this one here, a Mark 1B.

Mark:
What's the difference between the two?

Dave:
The Mark 1A had a notorious gearbox issue — it would randomly jump out of 5th gear. My dad had one, and you'd be driving along, minding your own business, and suddenly — pop! — you're out of gear!

They fixed that in the Mark 1B by adjusting the gearbox mechanism.

Mark:
Ah yes, the “non-pop-out gearbox” — what a premium upgrade!

Dave:
Exactly! Along with a few other minor tweaks — some different wheels, slight engine improvements... but we're talking about 1980s power boosts here — probably just a single extra horsepower!

Mark:
A whole extra puff of power!

[Discussing Features]
Mark:
The cabin is classic '80s, isn't it? Wedgy shapes, lots of plastic...

Dave:
Yeah, things creak a bit, but it’s all part of the charm. This one’s got a sunroof too — some models had a removable roof panel, which was quite the feature back then.

Mark:
Any turbo versions?

Dave:
Not in the UK, no. The Japanese market got a supercharged version, but air conditioning was probably the fanciest option available over here.

[Under the Bonnet]
Mark:
Right then, Dave, let's pop the bonnet and see what’s under there.

Dave:
Sure... although you might be a little surprised.

Mark:
(Staring under the bonnet) Oh... that’s just a spare wheel!

Dave:
Yeah, the engine’s at the back — it's mid-engined.

Mark:
I thought it looked a bit off-centre. Does that affect the balance?

Dave:
Honestly, I don’t notice it. The suspension’s probably so old that it has its own ‘character’ by now.

Mark:
Fair point! What’s this blue thing here?

Dave:
That’s an aftermarket air vent. In Japan, a company called Tom's used to make these kits to improve airflow to the engine bay. This one helps channel fresh air to the air filter.

[Discussing the Engine]
Mark:
So what are we looking at here?

Dave:
It's a twin-cam, 16-valve, 1.6-litre engine — proudly displaying Toyota 1600.

Mark:
And what kind of power are we talking?

Dave:
About 120 horsepower, but the car only weighs around 980kg, so it’s light and nimble.

Mark:
That’s properly lightweight — almost Lotus Elise territory!

Dave:
Exactly! The steel body is super thin — less than a millimetre thick — which keeps the weight down... but also makes it prone to rust.

Mark:
Yeah, these things do love to rust!

[Underneath the Car]
Mark:
Now that we’ve got it up on the lift, let’s see what’s going on underneath.

Dave:
It’s surprisingly flat, almost like an electric car.

Mark:
No exhaust pipes in sight!

Dave:
Exactly — because the engine’s at the back. It's pretty tidy under here though, especially considering this car’s over 35 years old.

Mark:
Yeah, looks solid! Any upgrades or modifications?

Dave:
Just upgraded brakes, otherwise it’s pretty original. I’ve had some rust repairs done on the sills, but overall, it’s in good nick for its age.

[Lanoguard Application]
Mark:
While it's up here, let’s get some underbody protection on it.

Dave:
Definitely! I’ve already applied grease to the key areas — ends of threads, nuts, and seams — anywhere the spray might struggle to cling properly.

Mark:
Perfect. The key is to avoid overspraying — if it’s dripping, you’ve done too much!

[Closing Scene]
Mark:
Well Dave, thanks for bringing this amazing MR2 down — it’s been great exploring it.

If you’ve got a car that you think would make a great Driveway Icon, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below, and you might just see your pride and joy featured on the next episode.

Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!