The Toyota Sera That Moved My World
- Mawarni Adam
- May 20, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Toyota SERA, the tiny but mighty gull-winged designed car was originally and conceptually called AXV-II in 1990. After it went into production and its first examples reached customers, the name was changed to SERA, a future tense of the French word etre (to be) to reflect the futuristic nature of the new Toyota. According to the official press release of 8th March 1990, the name was chosen to "signify a dream-like car that takes us into the future."
Only about 16,000 Toyota SERA models were made from the start of production in February 1990 to December 1995, which coincided with the Japanese automotive industry's economic boom, and all were destined for the Japanese Domestic market. However, after the bubble burst and optimism subsided, the production of the futuristic Toyota SERA halted and concluded, which automatically catapulted the car into a cult-like realm, fueling the fandom because of its rarity, uniqueness, and innovative design.
And now, over 30 years later, in 2024, if you ask me, I'd say, Toyota SERA stood the test of time and when set against other cars today, still has the futuristic dream-like quality it set out to be.
The arrival of Toyota SERA
The year was 1993 when the neon-colored Toyota SERA arrived at the Adam's household garage. As a teenager, imagine my awe and excitement seeing this slick and sexy car parked in the family's home compound. I hadn't yet obtained my driver's license and it would take me a few years before I could drive her.
I recalled the first day I drove the Toyota SERA to college. Walking to class and around campus from that day onwards, I received more smiles, nods, and friendly glances than I ever had. Even the mean girls were nice to me, and the cool kids wanted to be friends with me. You see, for a shy, ignored, and bullied kid, this was a welcomed change, it boosted my confidence - thanks to my new ride.
Toyota SERA moved my world
There were countless memories, too many to share but here are some of them..
First date, when the guy got down on one knee in front of the Toyota SERA and presented me with 7 roses and said “the universe was made in 7 days…”
First traffic police encounter, when the police officer on the bike waved me down to pull over for fiddling with my phone while driving the Toyota SERA.
First girls' night out, with 3 other girls, because the Toyota SERA can only fit 4 people. Shout out to Radhika, Anne and Alena. We were the Fab Four back then.
First stakeout, when one of the girls from the Fab Four, had a major crush on a guy she met and had asked me to do a stakeout with her in the Toyota SERA outside of his house.
First car breakdown when I forgot to top up the coolant in the Toyota SERA and it overheated near the Polo Club in Ampang. While waiting for help to arrive, a rogue horse came galloping down the road towards the car with no harness or a rider.
First driving lesson when I gave a girl friend her first lesson in the Toyota SERA at a housing area. She knocked over a rubbish bin while reversing the car and almost ran over a cat while turning it forward.
First VIP treatment when the valet at Modesto’s Damansara (now no longer there) would generously park the Toyota SERA at the front of the club amongst the Porches and the Ferraris.
First get-out-of-trouble card when we, a convoy of 8 cars, unknowingly trespassed a restricted area near KL International Airport to watch planes take off and land. Detained by the guards but when they saw the Toyota SERA, they let us go.
My Instagram post below from 2017 encapsulated it all...
A drive down memory lane
Some FAQs:
Q: Do you still have the Toyota SERA today? A: Yes, we do. It is safely parked in a garage somewhere in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Q: Can the 34-year-old Toyota SERA still be driven? A: Yes it can, but at a slow to moderate speed because despite the pristine exterior and refurbished interior, the engine, unfortunately, reflects her age.
Q: Would you be willing to sell the Toyota SERA? A: No. And that is a hard No. She is too special and holds sentimental value to me, my brother, and the Adams family.
I end this blog with a quote from CY Foong of WapCar, and I couldn't agree more with him!
The Toyota SERA - the flyest-looking Toyota ever - CY Foong, WapCar
Photos courtesy of Toyota UK Magazine
Do you wish you could get your hands on a new Toyota SERA? Well sadly, there aren't any more Toyota SERA being produced, but you can get your hands on these other sexy cars by Toyota.
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