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Crowning Glory: 1974 Toyota Crown

042116 Barn Finds - 1974 Toyota Crown - 1

If you’re looking for something that will stand out at the next Cars and Coffee event, this is a strong contender. This 1974 Toyota Crown Saloon is in Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom, about an hour and a half southwest of London. It’s listed on eBay with a little over one day left on the auction and a current bid of £3,601 ($5,179). If it’s the condition that it appears to be from the photos, this is a great deal.

042116 Barn Finds - 1974 Toyota Crown - 2

The Crown has been in production since 1955 and is the longest-running Toyota model, it’s also the first model imported to North America, in 1958. This model, a fifth-generation design made from 1974-1979, was never officially imported to the US. We got the Corona Mark II, then the Cressida, followed by the Avalon for our version of Toyota’s large car. The seller mentions that this car has been owned by a “massive enthusiast in Norway for some years and has loads of invoices and history.” It is pretty unusual to see this car in left-hand-drive.

042116 Barn Finds - 1974 Toyota Crown - 3

The most unusual design feature of this car has to be the double-tier thing happening with the front end treatment. Personally I love it, but you know that I like unusual vehicles. This is a four-door saloon (sedan) but they also came in two-door and four-door hardtop, wagon, and van configurations and Standard, Deluxe, Super Saloon, and Royal Saloon trim levels.

042116 Barn Finds - 1974 Toyota Crown - 5

The interior looks fantastic and from what the seller says, the seat covers are protecting the seats more than covering up damage. Although, the “driver’s seat base seems Ok, but the backrest has a split in it.” They say that the “seats are a sort of metallic blue colour, typical of Japanese cars at this time” The driver’s view almost looks like an American car of the same era, sort of. Well, ok, maybe not, but it’s pretty business-like in there. Thankfully, this is a manual transmission car! There’s just something about a big sedan having a manual transmission that gets to me.

042116 Barn Finds - 1974 Toyota Crown - 6

This is Toyota’s 2.6L straight-six with around 120 hp, that should be enough to move this 1,470 kg (3,241 lb) car along smartly. I drove a Saturn SL-1 sedan with a 5-speed for a few years and it only had 100 hp; an extra 20 hp would have been nice. I wonder if this car were to be in the US, specifically in Japanese Nostalgic Car-heavy California, if the price would be much stronger than it is here? It sure is in nice condition for the current bid price. I’m guessing that the final price may be about twice what it is now. I would love to own this unusual Toyota Crown sedan; do you like unusual sedans like this one?

Comments

  1. Avatar Joe Howell

    Dorky looking in Dorking :)

    Like 0
  2. Avatar grant

    This is really interesting. I’ve never seen one before. The design of the leading edge of the hood is cool.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Puhnto

    Plus, it has a Tesla hood ornament!

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Mike H

    Goodness! I don’t know why but I desperately want this; I even love the colour.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar AMCSTEVE

    Keep educating me BF! Keep em coming

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Gary

    Yes I would! As a matter of fact, I learned to drive in my father’s 69 Crown. It had the 2M inline 6, 4-speed and rear gear ratio from the factory was 4.37:1. Our family pulled our 26ft. boat to the Pocono’s for the summer, then back home at summer’s end. It had it’s very first brake job (disc up front) at 102k miles! Soon after a 71 Crown popped up which we bought and this one had the 4M inline w/auto. Totally different car; the ride, interior design, comfort level, power everything, and it all worked. But the most unique feature – just my opinion – was that exterior design with the first year wrap around turn and running lights. Reliability, design, and a body on a full frame, no unibody. Always wanted to drop a small block in one of them, they had plenty of room under the hood. Nice find, brings back memmories. Check out this link http://www.toyotareference.com/crown

    ;

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Jubjub

    I think they sold these in the states thru 72 or 73. The sedan and coupe are cool, but the wagon of this generation wins the prize. Pack some bento boxes, load the kids in the Crown and split town before Godzilla starts making a mess.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Chris In Australia

    Much as I generally despise Toyota ( world’s largest appliance maker) I have small soft spot for these. They were like a 3/4 size GM car underneath- full chassis, coil rear end.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Dean

    We had a lot of these in NZ. Looks like they were working on the styling opposite of Less is More.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Michael

    I had one exactly like this In Australia. Got it up to 100mph one day. Was a nice car to drive.

    Like 0

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