At the end of the 1987 season, the 87C was phased out as Toyota developed the all-new V8-powered for the following year.
The launch of the in 1987 marked a significant step in Toyota's increased commitment to international sports car racing, headlined by the high-profile signing of former Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones . The Machine: Toyota 87C ALAN JONES 1987 TOYOTA 87C LAUNCH
The 87C was an evolution of previous Dome-built designs, featuring several technical advancements aimed at competing with dominant European marques like Porsche and Jaguar. At the end of the 1987 season, the
: The 87C debuted at the Suzuka 500 km, where Alan Jones and Geoff Lees secured a third-place finish. : The 87C debuted at the Suzuka 500
: The engine produced approximately 680 bhp in qualifying trim. Despite this power, the car suffered from insufficient downforce, which made it less competitive on high-speed circuits like Le Mans. Racing Debut and 1987 Season
: The highlight of the season for Jones was a victory at the Fuji 1000 km in May. Alongside Lees and Masanori Sekiya, Jones won in torrential rain—a race he later recalled as "surviving the chaos" on a track that didn't drain properly.