My MK1 Toyota MR2 Story. From Childhood Classic Cars to Ownership
Since I was a kid I’ve always been into classic cars. That passion comes from my dad, who owns a classic car garage. Growing up, we used to go and watch him race, mostly in his Cooper T51. My younger sister, brother and I basically grew up around the garage, and for a time, we even lived in a house connected to it.
Later we moved into the countryside, but cars were still a huge part of life. My dad always had garages full of Minis, fast Fords, and classic projects. Being around classic cars from such a young age shaped everything.
This is where my love for the Toyota MR2 and especially the MK1 AW11 began.
A Shared Family Connection Through Classic Cars
My husband Max has a very similar background. His dad owned a garage called Clarke Bros just down the road from my dad’s. The two of them had known each other since we were kids through the racing scene.
Max and I didn’t actually meet through that connection. We met at school when he saw a drawing I did of my dad’s Cooper T51. He recognised it instantly as a Cooper, and that moment eventually led to everything else.
We’ve now been together 12 years, married for 2, and still very much surrounded by classic cars and racing culture through both families.
Max’s dad has always been into sports cars and bike racing, Lotus Esprits, Alfa Romeos, and especially Toyota MR2s. He’s owned several over the years… honestly, it feels like he’s owned every MK1 Toyota MR2 at some point.
Finding the MK1 Toyota MR2 (AW11)
About a year ago, Max was looking for a classic car when he found a MK1 Toyota MR2 for sale just down the road from his dad’s garage.
Before his dad even said anything, we both guessed it immediately.
“He’s probably owned that one at some point.”
And of course, he had.
It became almost a running joke in the family that Max’s dad had owned every MR2 at one stage. So when this MK1 MR2 came up for sale, it instantly felt like a full-circle moment.
Max sent it into our group chat while I was getting ready for a day out at Cheddar Gorge. That day turned into a mix of sightseeing and constantly talking about whether we could make the purchase happen.
Max spoke to his dad, who knew the owner, and the plan quickly became to try and secure the car.
By the end of the day, we thought it was happening.
The MR2 That Got Away (Briefly)
A few days later, Max got a call.
Someone else had made an offer and was about to put down a deposit.
The MK1 MR2 was gone.
Life moved on, but the car never really left the conversation.
We went away for our wedding anniversary in Hay-on-Wye, stayed in a cottage, visited the Peak District, walked the Dovedale stepping stones, climbed Thorpe Cloud, and of course had Bakewell tarts in Bakewell.
On the way home, we stopped in to visit family, and our first stop was Clarke Bros garage.
The Surprise MK1 MR2 Anniversary Gift
Max’s dad was MOT’ing our car while we were there. I handed over the keys and he said:
“I’ve got you a courtesy car so you can enjoy your day.”
I walked into the workshop.
And there it was.
The same bright red MK1 Toyota MR2.
Sitting on the ramp.
I recognised it instantly — I’d talked about “the one that got away” so much I knew the registration by heart.
Max just said, “Happy anniversary.”
Everyone else already knew. His family, my siblings, all of them had been in on it. I was the only one who didn’t.
Max had gone back after the failed sale and made another offer, and his dad had quietly made sure everything happened in the background.
It wasn’t a courtesy car.
It was mine.
Naming My Toyota MR2: Akatori
I cried. Then I drove it.
That first drive was unforgettable. Not long after, we drove it from Northamptonshire back to Dorset and it quickly became part of everyday life.
I named her Akatori, meaning Red Bird in Japanese, a nod to the MK1 MR2’s iconic design detail and its bright red paintwork.
From MK1 MR2 Ownership to Starting a Merch Brand
By Christmas, something became very obvious.
There was almost no MK1 MR2 merch available anywhere.
No MK1 Toyota MR2 clothing, no AW11 stickers, no real representation for enthusiasts.
Through Instagram, I started meeting other MR2 owners and realised this wasn’t just my frustration, it was shared across the entire MK1 MR2 community.
We all love the car, but there was nothing designed for us.
Akatori Works: Toyota MR2 Merch for Enthusiasts
That’s how Akatori Works was born.
A small brand inspired by my MK1 Toyota MR2 (AW11), built for the global MR2 community who feel the same way.
What started as a near-miss purchase, a family connection, and a surprise anniversary gift has turned into a passion project focused on creating quality Toyota MR2 merch that actually represents the car and its history.
Why the MK1 Toyota MR2 (AW11) Still Matters
The MK1 Toyota MR2 is more than just a classic Japanese sports car. It’s a mid-engine icon with a dedicated global following. For many enthusiasts, it’s not just a car — it’s a connection to a very specific era of driving.
Akatori Works exists to celebrate that.