In Japanese car culture, few cars carry the weight of the Toyota Corolla AE86. But this AE86 isn’t just a classic — it’s Project Teddy, a tribute to enthusiast, mentor, and friend Teddy Hiraoka.
Teddy was the owner of Mavrik Motorsports, a mechanic, and crew chief for pro-drifter Wes Hamachi during the early days of Formula D and D1GP. Wes Hamachi, part of the extended JCCS family, has been instrumental in guiding Project Teddy toward its completion. Known for his generosity and passion, Teddy spent his career building cars for customers, dyno days, and major showcases like SEMA — but his own AE86 project was left unfinished. Tragically, he passed away during the Covid era before he could ever complete it.
In 2022, Teddy’s family asked the Hamachi brothers to take in his car. With no engine or driveline, it was just a shell, but the mission was clear: finish the AE86 the way Teddy would have built it. With help from family, friends, Club4AG members, and industry partners, the car has been rebuilt piece by piece — from the donated 20v 4A-GE engine to the Seibon carbon hood, Kouki Levin front fascia, and Sparco USA interior.
Beyond the car itself, the project has inspired a tribute video and a short film to share Teddy’s story with the next generation. Together, they remind us that this build is about more than parts and paint — it’s about honoring a life, finishing a dream, and carrying forward a spirit of community.
The completed Project Teddy AE86 will make its public debut at the 20th Anniversary Japanese Classic Car Show this October, unveiled by world-renowned automotive photographer and storyteller Larry Chen. Friends, family, and the car community will be there to see Teddy’s vision finally realized.
Give their Instagram page a follow @teddy_ae86_project
