In the 1980s, if the Toyota Corolla was too fancy for you, the Tercel would have been Plan B. It was the company’s first front-wheel drive product and sold well until it disappeared before the Turn of the Century. The seller’s ’80 edition was purchased new by a pair of minimalists and its only option might have been air conditioning (maybe they weren’t so frugal, after all). Located in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, this pint-size Toyota is available here on eBay where $1,825 is the number to beat.
Not only was the Tercel equipped with FWD the car’s engine was also mounted sideways, another departure for Toyota. They took the name from a Latin term meaning “one third,” not because it’s a third the size of bigger automobiles but is a reference to the falcon population of birds. Over the Tercel’s two-decade run, just shy of five million were produced across several body styles, including hatchbacks like the seller’s car.
This car originated in California and its first owners may have kept it until eight years ago when it migrated east to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That may be when the seller got involved and added about 3,000 miles to the odometer. As the car had sat for a few years, the seller had to pour some money into it to repair or replace the following: fuel tank, carburetor, tires, some brake work, a bit of electrical, and a few other things.
Though it doesn’t look pretty, the car’s 1.5-liter engine and 5-speed tranny work well, and the seller wouldn’t think twice about taking a trip in it. The blue paint is toast and there are a few dents and dings. And the interior is bare-bones and the seat bottoms wear covers, so the bucket seats need to be reupholstered. The seller has never used the A/C and doesn’t know if it even works. I’m not sure the Toyota Tercel will ever be collectible, but this one could be an interesting set of cheap wheels.
Before this there was the Starlet 🌟🇯🇵
They ran concurrently on the US market. The Starlet was sold here from 1981-84, a slightly smaller and more old-fashioned (RWD) design offered in one trim level somewhere between the Tercel and Corolla’s “Deluxe” and “SR5” spec levels. That meant the smallest Toyota wasn’t the cheapest one, the Starlet was pricier than the base Tercel 2-door sedan (which was really basic!)
This particular Tercel is a Deluxe Liftback, the SR5 was top of the line.
Wow, 83 bids and only 9 bidders of which 3 are zero feedback and one of those with over 40 bids. New to eBay and not familiar with proxy bidding? or scam?
Hi JACKinNWPA,
Looks like proxy bidding. Bidding on eBay Motors is not like a regular auction, they are non-binding, so the buyer or seller can walk away for any reason without completing the deal. That’s why a lot of sellers will call the bidders before the listing is over to see if they are serious about the purchase.
Ed
Thanks Ed, I didn’t know it was like that, I have sold a few on eBay but never had an issue.
Sometimes you see a car that does nothing but bring back memories. And boy, this one does it, although the story behind it is a little tragic.
It was a hot day in late August; I had been flying and was back in town to pick up a few things before heading for home. I was in the ‘79 GMC 4×4, in the left turn lane, waiting for the traffic light to change. The radio was on, playing something l’ll never remember.
Well, next thing I knew, my ears were ringing and I was staring at the ceiling. Something sharp was jabbing the back of my neck and I could feel a bunch of hard chunks of something falling out of my hair.
It was then I realized that something hit me from behind. I turned my head and looked back.
The left panel of the rear window was broken—by the back of my head—and smoke and steam was engulfing the back of the truck.
I grabbed my fire extinguisher and went around back of the truck. The near twin to this car rear-ended me at about 30 mph. It hit that heavy rear bumper and literally folded up like an accordion. Both occupants of the car smashed their heads on the windshield and the doors had collapsed, trapping the passengers.
EMS had to dissect the car to free the occupants. I overheard one of the police officers telling another one that his daughter was heading off for college and wanted a Tercel. He said that he just made a monumental decision.
The Toyota was totalled, and the damage to my truck was a dent in the rear bumper, adjacent to the hitch pin hole, and a broken rear window panel. And a sheared off bumper mounting bolt.
Anyways, aside from that unfortunate crash, my wife had one and it was a good car. But she didn’t crash it into the back of a full sized pickup…
Hey Geo, yep, no therapy like shock therapy. Rear enders are by far the worst. Here’s a stat for ya’. there were 1.7 MILLION rear end crashes in the US last year, accounting for almost 30% of all crashes, the largest number. Not much one can do to avoid that. Once again, distracted driving has out numbered impaired driving and the major cause of rear end collisions. While tragic stories are seemingly part of our lives, we can’t forget while statistically speaking, most people, to the tune of 5 million, that drove these cars, made it to their destination, for years. If only these companies would have stayed like this, or at least offer SOMETHING today us folks that don’t want info screens and safety restraints NASA would be proud of.
Not sure why Toyota went with the setup they did, it ( the drivetrain) looks incredibly difficult to repair. I believe the Starlet was RWD, and early FWD had its issues, but Toyota seemed to solve them with this setup. It was considered the best FWD for the time. Belt cam drive, but the good news is it’s non-interference, and a good motor. Too bad the car dissolved around it. These motors made good early APUs too.
Around ‘84 or so a young single gal who was my neighbor in the apartment complex had a blue one just like this. They were popular as cheap, reliable wheels for recent college grads or school teachers etc. (like her). She took it to a quick oil change place and shortly afterwards the engine seized. From what I remember they denied liability of course, it was unclear whether they forgot to put oil back in it or didn’t tighten the plug and it drained out. I don’t recall if she was successful in getting the shop to pay for the new engine. It was definitely a basic transportation type of car, that’s for sure.
Although FWD, this Tercel has a longitudinatly mounted engine The second generation onward was the more common transverse mount.
Surprised no one else pointed this out yet
That was the first thing I noticed when I saw the engine picture!
Second gen kept the longitudinal engine (that’s how it was so easy to adapt for AWD), gen 3 onwards was transverse.
My brother had one of these, I don’t remember what year the car was. I do remember him saying the dealer was kind of surprised when he called them and asked to set up his 250,000 mile service. We live in the rust belt and I think the dealer was surprised one lasted this long without rusting away.
I bought a new Fairmont Futura 2 door in 1980. 200 six and a 4 speed stick with overdrive high gear. Great car. Paid $6150. Coworker bought a new Tercel 2 door. Stripped rubber floor mat special for $5850. I know who got the better deal.
I had one of these and it was probably the best car I’ve ever owned! I’m not sure what I would do with it but I would love to have this. My wife however would freak out.
Even this has an ALL blue interior, but u can’t get that on even a million dollar vehicle today. Go figure.
Could you get a factory tachometer on a Tercel?
When I first met my wife back then, she had an SR5 model of this. Black with some orange/yellow stripes. Being the SR5, it had the upgrades…tach, 5spd, AM/FM stereo.
Great running car until somebody rear ended her and totaled it. Not completely from the collision, but it was discovered the suspension connections in the back had rusted out.
I had a white Tercel that I lent to a good friend of ours for his use while in town. It ended up stolen somewhere in South Philly, maybe ending up in a chop shop or sent overseas. Our friend reimbursed us and is still our friend many years later. Toyotas were one of the most desired on the list to be stolen.
If your early vega, yugo, chevette, or import lemans was stolen, that would be a blessing.
There’s a rumor that the Tercel, launched in 1980 amidst a sea of Rabbit clones with its’ longitudinal engine (similar to Renault and Audi’s legacy designs) and choice of Fiat 128-like sedan or this vaguely Volvo 1800ES-aping hatchback, was a circa-1970 design that conservative Toyota had sat and/or dithered on for a decade.
These were great little cars – “took a lickin’ and kept on tickin'” … had a later model AWD that was a great demo … I’ve sold many car lines and the Tercel was one of the best … minimal, sure, but reliable and a gas miser …