The Toyota 86 NEO86 body kit has arrived in the United States, transforming the first-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ into retro-inspired sports cars modeled after the 1980s Toyota Corolla AE86. The kit features angular bodywork, wider fenders and pop-up headlights, and its installation has proved more straightforward than expected during a recent conversion of a 2020 Toyota 86.
Retro-Inspired Body Kit Arrives in the U.S.
The first-generation Toyota 86, originally sold as the Scion FR-S, shares much of its design with the contemporary Subaru BRZ. However, the similarities between the two sports cars leave the Toyota 86 with less of the distinctive AE86-inspired character that its design was intended to capture.
The NEO86 body kit changes the car’s appearance with redesigned front-end styling, sculpted fenders, a flatter hood and a front bumper with a deep spoiler. The conversion also introduces pop-up headlights, giving the modern sports car a distinctive 1980s-inspired look.
A 2020 Toyota 86 was purchased specifically for the conversion, with the kit ordered through a third party because it is not sold directly to customers in the United States. The package arrived intact, including the major body panels and components required for the transformation.
How the Toyota 86 NEO86 Body Kit Installs
The installation begins with removing the factory hood, front fenders and front and rear bumpers. The new angular front fenders are installed first, using the same fasteners and mounting points as the original factory components.
Although the mounting process initially appears relatively simple, the difference in the car’s proportions becomes more apparent once the original bodywork is removed and the new fenders are installed.
The front fenders also provide a reference point for fitting the remaining panels. The side skirts come next, with mounting hardware designed to help guide precise drilling into the existing rocker panels. The rear bumper then attaches in the same position as the factory component.
Rear Fenders and Pop-Up Headlights Require Modifications
Installing the rear overfenders requires additional work. The original wheel arches must be cut to remove their flat radius and create enough room for the wider NEO86 bodywork.
The redesigned hood also changes the car’s proportions. Although it is longer and wider to match the new front-end profile, it continues to use the Toyota 86’s factory hinges.
The pop-up headlights require further customization. Installers must cut away the corners of the front bumper support to provide enough clearance for the headlight assemblies to move up and down.
The kit includes installation instructions and hydraulic cylinders to operate the pop-up headlights, providing the components needed to complete the retro-inspired lighting system.
Toyota 86 NEO86 Body Kit Cost and Installation
The NEO86 body kit costs approximately $6,600 in its home market when converted to U.S. dollars. However, importation and tariff expenses can increase the price for American buyers.
Through a U.S. distributor, the kit costs $8,600, which is $2,000 more than its approximate home-market price. That amount does not include paint or bodywork, which can substantially increase the total cost of the conversion.
With painting and installation included, transforming a Toyota 86 into an AE86-inspired build could cost more than $12,000. The project involves multiple body panels, and the additional preparation required before painting can increase labor expenses.
Painting a front bumper and side skirts can cost $1,500, while the NEO86 kit includes more components that require paint and preparation. Finding a body shop willing to install the complete body kit for less than $3,000 could be difficult.
A Major Styling Transformation for the Toyota 86
The NEO86 body kit gives owners of first-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ models a way to achieve a dramatically different, AE86-inspired appearance. Many components use factory mounting points, making parts of the installation relatively straightforward, although the rear overfenders and pop-up headlights require additional modifications.
With the kit costing $8,600 in the United States before paint and bodywork, completing the transformation can push the total project cost beyond $12,000.
