In 1985 I was 19 years old and eager to finally get my driver's license. I was still a student and found a loyal supporter in my grandmother. As a "test driver for Matchbox" she accompanied my automotive passion all the years; for that I was infinitely grateful to her! Only the necessary dough for a car was not to be procured by "fundraising" in the family: Young, if de watt wills, je abigge (Vatter O-Ton). The coincidence wanted it that in the neighborhood the friend of a buddy got a Toyota Corona Mark2 inherited. It had already a well-paid job and wanted the rust bucket for a slim D-mark fast versilbern. 800 Marks stood on the note. With the knowledge of today I would have had to renegotiate, because the 9 year old Toyota was already very corroded by rust. Fender, a spar and various small things at the body had to be made beautiful for the TÜV before. But the eyes shone!
The summer vacations saved through and KFZ buddies and fathers of the neighborhood "abused" succeeded to me the car to acquire and with the necessary driving license to provide. For me, who still lived in the countryside with my parents, the declaration of independence: "Now it's time to go to the disco".

I was allowed to drive it for two years and I took many beautiful memories with me. We were separated after a violent accident in the south of France, which my buddy and I survived with incredible luck almost unharmed on the way to Biarritz; with 100 km/h into the anchor. I didn't understand it at the time, but unique luck and also Japanese engineering skills saved us - that much can be said!

Many years later, after my studies and first jobs, I hired on at an automobile manufacturer and rediscovered my passion for cars. So it happened that I also became involved with historic automobiles; and suddenly the question arose: Does the car of my youth still exist? Who is interested in this car and who maintains the history? It is important to know that in the mid-twenties not every OEM understood the potential of caring for the history of a brand. Beautiful examples can be found among the German manufacturers, who still have many fans worldwide: Bulli and Co. is hardly beatable - but...there are always other beautiful stories!

So I set out, rather casually at first, to find pictures, facts, fan clubs, and people who love, care for, and drive a Toyota Corona Mark2. Worldwide the MR2 was sold. I found used MR2s in many places around the world, none were in good condition, some badly scuffed, tuned, and battered. My first interesting hit was on Mobile 2008, a private seller from Switzerland offered a blue metallic MK2 in an obviously good original condition. However, I had no experience with buying a car and the often considerable follow-up costs. Therefore I was happy about the find, but I did not buy the car. Only 10 years later, after I had my first classic Porsche 911 and knew what I had to do, the courage came to deal seriously with the acquisition of my youth car - the search began again.