The JZX Chassis That Missed The Hype?

When anyone mentions JZX, most people automatically think of the JZX100 Chaser, to the point where Mark IIs and Crestas often get called Chasers too. I guess there is an association of Toyota four-door = Chaser.

But there is another JZX chassis that no doubt has a cult following, yet somehow feels like it slightly missed the mainstream hype.

The JZX81, with its more square, distinctly ‘80s styling, was completely redesigned and, in late 1992, the JZX90 was born. Released in three models, Chaser, Cresta and Mark II, all were available with the twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE engine, the predecessor to the later single-turbo VVT-i 1JZ-GTE found in the JZX100.

As you can imagine, upon the JZX90’s release, it quickly became the hot topic for aftermarket parts. Main tuning brands like HKS, Blitz and A’PEXi all offered off-the-shelf upgrades, while countless smaller tuning shops and brands developed everything from replacement parts to full packages.

The rising hype of the JZX100 in today’s market has somewhat overshadowed its older brother, the JZX90, but is that really for the better? With numbers in Japan slowly dwindling, you will still occasionally spot a Mark II, Cresta or Chaser cruising the streets or being put to work drifting.