Known as the Cressida in the U.S., Toyota’s largest and most expensive car had furnishings befitting a Cadillac. And it perhaps was the precursor to the Lexus in terms of pomp and circumstance. The fourth generation was built from 1980 to 1984 just as Toyota was taking U.S. automakers to task in the sales department. This sharp example from 1983 is a two-owner car that spent most of its life on the Left Coast and has just 60,000 miles (only 200 in the last three years). Located now in Columbus, Ohio, it’s being offered by a dealer here on Facebook Marketplace for $11,995. Bravo to Barn Finder “Ted” for a tip on a car we don’t see all that often.
Until three years ago, this Toyota was a resident of California and had lived there since it was new with the automobile’s original caretaker. For whatever reason, it was sold after nearly 40 years and driven to the Midwest where it is today. We’re told It’s been treated with kid gloves and has never seen any of the white stuff we call snow. It could be one of the nicest Cressida’s left from this era with no rust and a beautiful paint job and interior. Recently it was treated to a new water pump, timing belt, brakes, tires, and wheels, probably from not being used very much.
With the sale comes the original wheels and new tires, though we wonder why someone felt the need to make that change except for pizzaz. Under the hood resides a 2.8-liter inline-6 engine paired with (of course) an automatic transmission. This Toyota is loaded with the kinds of goodies you would expect from this class of luxury car, including a functional sunroof. The selling dealer has a Carfax to help substantiate the Cressida’s credentials. But it begs the question of whether a 42-year-old Toyota is worth nearly $12k?
Love the sharp lines of the Cressida, but found that my 1999 Avalon XLS Platinum was better equipped. But time fogs the memory.
Yeah but your Avalon was a 16 year newer car. And by then Lexus was off and running. In 1983, a lot of what was considered normal in 1999, was a true luxury in ‘83.
Excellent comment, Lando! 👍🏻
“Mad mice”
The Toyota Crown 👑 jewel. Wonderful automobiles, supremely comfortable, quiet, reliable, proper RWD configuration.
Ask your doctor if Cressida is right for you. They really kicked out butts with these cars. Cars like this changed many opinions about Asian cars, not mine however, but they really were great cars.
….” Ask your doctor if Cressida is right for you.” That was hilarious Howard, thank you for the laugh.
Can’t take the credit for that one, it was mentioned by someone else on a previous Cressida, I kind of just “borrowed” it.
Owned same year, comfortable, quiet, good mpg, plenty of power almost half a million miles before I fell asleep and hooked up a guardrail which saved my life. Amazing car
I worked at a Toyota dealership from 82 to the end of 83 and these are fantastic cars. Great, smooth Supra engine and handles very well and comfortable. The fresh air vent had to be open winter or it would fog up inside quickly.
I would take this over any later model car for the same $$$ if the condition were the same.
I’m pretty sure that these Cressidas were IRS with a multi-link rear suspension to go with that smooth running I6 engine up front. That was why these cars were kicking butt here in the USA.
Makes me wonder if the wagons had that setup too or were live axle.
Only the sedans had IRS starting in 83. It was essentially a 4 dr Supra and was also available with a 5-speed which were very rare. The IRS was not optimal for hard driving, wheel hop was common with any wheel spin. I got rid of my 83 Supra because of it.
Yep, this where the market started paying real attention. Not just Accords and Camarys but real sized cars like this and the Maxima made an impression on the buying public. Word spread and the rest is history.
Hey Lando. I think 1989 was the first year for Lexus…my brother bought a 1989 LS
It looks like that rear seat-back might come down for trunk pass-through? I’d also probably put the original wheels back on – it looks like too much wheel for the car, IMO.
I had a white’84 with brown interior. I drove a new Supra too but thought the Cressida drove smoother and had more room. It was the nicest, most reliable car I ever owned. We had it for 22 years and 250k+ miles. Only sold it for a Lexus ES350. They were similar as both were rock solid with no issues. Drove the Lexus almost 300k miles!!👍👍
I had one of these back in the day. White with blue velour interior. Mine came with a five speed. One of the smoothest cars I ever owned. Traded it for a Cressida wagon with automatic.
What a great example, so clean and has the 80’s fantastic digital dash and always cool top-end Japanese stereo with the EQ and level meters. I would gravitate to this if someone showed up at a meet with it.
Yes – And no bothersome Takada air bags with the “shrapnel included” feature!