Wow, I'm loving the Brits more and more.
Drifting may be the "big" thing in your house/head/magazine, along with the AE86 and S13, but in the UK few people care about drifting. Just because something is important to you, doesn't mean it's the centre of the entire universe.
You can randomly point at any import mag these days here in the US and it will have AT LEAST one drift article in it.
Okay, I get it. You like drifting. Big whup. You like talking about cars in letters and numbers, instead of names. Well hurrah - you go girl. The world isn't the same thing as you.
Chassis codes are just plain easier to say when you're talking about cars with your buddies. I can see that's too much for you to take in right now so I'll go slow with you.
If I were to mention a Skyline I saw on the streets, I could look at it and say, well that's an R32. Or I can sit there and try to figure out what year, model, and generation it it is by whatever means. The chassis code will cut all that down no problem.
R32- Nissan Skyline, 1989-1993, 8th generation.
Chassis codes can also tell the trim level as well. BNR34 would be a 10th gen. Nissan Skyline GT-R.
Just though I'd remind you about this you just stated..
I haven't "continued" to speculate ANYTHING about this car - in fact I haven't even passed an opinion on it.
...and what was stated earlier...
Personally, I perceive it to be an overrated piece of 1980's technology which attracts an unreasonable fan following because of a cartoon.
I'm guessing that, for that full decade, it was a family's main car - or at least second car - and driven around the streets of Roppongi in a normal fashion. Then the cartoon came out and 18 year olds everywhere started buying any remaining examples and inexplicably driving them sideways.
Since you weren't satisfied with the answered already given to you, let's review.
Toyota Trueno/ Levin/ Corolla
Chassis code: AE86 (pronounced A-E-eight-six)
Choice car of Keiichi Tsuchiya and Katsuhiro Ueo among thousands others. If a profesional JGTC driver and world reknowned Drift King drive one himself, it must not be a, quote "family's main car - or at least second car - and driven around the streets of Roppongi in a normal fashion." as you liked to put it earlier. There was also an entire race series dedicated to this car years ago in which Tsuchiya himself participated in, which helped build up his reputation. This car has earned it's keep and deserves the respect of all racers and drifters alike.
Your questions have been answered. If you have any more I'd be glad to answer them.