Kijiji to Kaido
Gary Zackodnik - 1988 Toyota Soarer
Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Rayelin Asselin (@Rayelin__)
Gary Zackodnik didn’t set out to become an old-school rebel in the Alberta car scene, but his 1988 Toyota Soarer made sure he got there. It wasn’t a childhood dream car or a long-time goal—it was just a shot in the dark, a chance to roll alongside a friend’s Z31 after an attempt to get into that platform didn’t work out.
He found the Soarer on Kijiji—no pictures, no fanfare, just a listing. The seller was in Calgary, three hours away, so he got his dad to drive him out there. The first impression? Solid enough to seal the deal, but not without the kind of hassle that sets the tone for every good project car story. The battery died before he could even see the headlights in action. Back on the road with a battery two sizes too small, the adventure began.
The car came sitting on HSD coilovers with a set of TOM’S wheels—an unmistakably ’80s touch from one of Toyota’s OG tuners. It was a time capsule, but one that needed a purpose. Gary didn’t just want a car to own; he wanted a car to build, to drive, and to make his own. As he got more involved in the scene, connections started forming, and before long, the Soarer stopped being just a cool old car and started becoming a vision.
That vision? A naturally aspirated, individual-throttle-bodied 2JZ-GE. No boost, no shortcuts—just response, sound, and old-school aggression. The 2JZ itself wasn’t hard to source, but it wasn’t exactly a smooth start either. What was supposed to be a solid engine turned out to be holding water in cylinder four, corroded nearly beyond repair. The road to reliability was a long one—starting with a bottom-end rebuild at Ronin Performance, followed by headwork and finishing fabrication at SSS Motorsports.
But an engine is just a piece of the puzzle. The car had to look and feel like something special. Instead of chasing the typical turbocharged JZ formula, Gary leaned into the roots of street freak and pro-street styling, blending it with influences from classic F1. The Marlboro livery, a nod to Ayrton Senna’s timeless McLaren, became the defining touch. Inside: a Kaido racer-style OBA 280mm wheel, Prisma Lab bucket seats, and Takata harnesses. The old A340E automatic was ditched for a W58 five-speed and a racing clutch, making sure the car’s performance felt as raw and connected as it looked.
By 2023, the Soarer hit the streets and shows, earning its share of attention. Gary didn’t grow up dreaming of a Soarer. He didn’t even know they existed until he found his. Looking at the car now, it’s hard to imagine a better fit. A little bit of ’80s Toyota history, a little bit of classic hot rod mentality, and a whole lot of personal style—it’s a rolling tribute to every influence that shaped it. Whether it’s Kaido racer roots, Ed Roth-inspired hot rod culture, or the irreverent spirit of modern street cars, it all comes together in a build that doesn’t chase trends. It just exists on its own terms. In the end, that’s what makes it fun to drive.
ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
1988 Toyota Soarer
LOCATION:
Sunset Point, AB
HORSEPOWER:
187 whp
SOCIAL:
IG: @jzz20.soarer
ENGINE:
2JZ-GE engine swap + EFI Hardware ITBs + Radium fuel rail + ECUMaster Classic + Driftmotion rear sump oil pan + Audi R8 coilpacks + Flying lead harness
EXHAUST:
Custom exhaust + Blast pipes
DRIVETRAIN:
Exedy racing clutch + W58 transmission swap
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Work Emitz II Aerodish wheels
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
HSD coilovers
EXTERIOR:
Custom Marlboro livery
INTERIOR:
NRG Prisma GT seats + OBA steering wheel + Takata harness + Custom seat rails
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Single-DIN head unit + Pioneer speakers + JDM flashball
GALLERY
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