A Father-Son Restoration Project: Gage Hale’s 1989 Supra
What happens when a muscle car family takes a turn into the world of JDM?
For Gage Hale, it all started with the classics. Growing up, he and his dad bonded over the deep rumble of V8s and the bold designs of 60’s American Muscle. In their endless discussions about their shared passion one car always stood out—the Ford Mustang. It was the frontrunner for their perfect father-son project idea.
But outside of the garage, another influence was taking hold. In high school, Gage spent hours in the school parking lot, talking cars with friends. Their enthusiasm was infectious, but unlike his dad, many of them weren’t debating which small-block V8 was best—they were talking turbochargers, inline-sixes, and high-revving JDM icons. Curiosity got the better of him. The allure of Japanese design, and the whoosh of Turbochargers had shifted his gaze. And when it was finally time to buy his first car, the decision wasn’t so clear-cut anymore.
Gage still wanted a project car. So he brought the idea to his dad—what if they found a Toyota Supra?
Skeptical but open to it, his dad agreed to the search. The Mk4, the legend itself, was the obvious dream. But reality hit fast—with a high price tag certainly not within a high schooler’s budget. Gage set his sights on the Mk3.
And then, there it was. A one-owner 1989 Toyota Supra with 120,000 miles, listed for sale in Missouri.
Before they knew it, Gage and his Dad were boarding a flight, headed to pick up the car that would change everything. The trip back home became more than just a road trip—it was the beginning of a transformation, not just for Gage, but for his Dad too.
The Unexpected Shift to JDM
Bringing the Supra home was a moment of excitement—Gage and his dad had found their project car, and although it wasn’t the Mustang they had once envisioned, it was something special. The plan was simple: keep it as a reliable daily driver. But as they started working on it, things changed. Just as they would have with a Mustang build, they tore into the Supra together, replacing worn parts, restoring to its former glory all while making it their own. Within two years, it had transformed: a fresh paint job, a new bumper and side skirts, and a set of BBS LM wheels. It stayed like this for a while, attending shows and events, still running its original 7MGTE.
Then came the turning point. The infamous head gasket failure—a rite of passage for 7M owners. A practical decision would have been to fix it and move on. But Gage saw an opportunity. If they were going to pull the engine, why not take the next step? After thorough research and contemplation. Gage began to prepare his MkIII for a 2JZ-GTE swap.
At first, he promised himself he’d keep it stock. But as the engine sat, and as he waited for the bay to be painted, temptation took over. This was his last chance to upgrade before bolting everything back together. Why not make a few upgrades? One part turned into another, and soon, a full build was underway. A Borg Warner S366 turbo, 1000cc injectors, AEM Infinity standalone ECU, Radium fuel rail, HKS SSQV BOV, Tial wastegate—were among the many parts added to the list.
With a sponsorship from @bestdamnpowdercoating, many of the engine components were wrinkle-black coated, while the downpipe, radiator, and intercooler received a sleek black cerakote finish. When everything was finally in place, the car made its way to @victorymotorsports for a custom wiring harness and tuning. The result? An impressive 598.97whp on 93 octane.
Converting a Muscle Car Dad to JDM
As Gage’s Supra evolved into a serious performance machine, something unexpected happened—his dad started to appreciate the platform. Seeing the potential of the 2JZ firsthand and watching the transformation of Gage’s build, he slowly but surely became a fan of the JDM world.
That admiration turned into action when he decided to build his wife’s Lexus GS300 into a 700hp 2JZ-powered show car. Taking everything they had learned from Gage’s Supra, he executed the build even better. The GS is now nearly complete and will soon head to the tuner, aiming for 700whp. You can follow his build on Instagram @1happyhale
The Supra’s Next Chapter
Today, Gage’s Supra is in the final stages of a body shop refresh, with Wilwood 6-piston brakes waiting to be installed. Gages plan, once the car is back in his care, are to attend Grid Life and other major events. The journey continues for both him and his father—two former muscle car enthusiasts now fully immersed in the world of JDM.
Owner: Gage Hale
Year/Make/Model: 1989 Toyota Supra
Drivetrain: 2JZ-GTE/PPG Dogbox
Photographer: @iancourtright, Gage Hale
Editor: Emily Soloman
