I think that's right - a size down from the Bluebird. If I remember right the 1400/1600 was eventually called the Sunny.

Big cars from 'non-prestige' makes never sold well over here, except the Ford Granada and Vauxhall Royale / Senator which companies bought for the level of manager below director. So depreciation was savage, and a big Jap like the Crown, Honda Legend, Nissan Maxima or Mazda Xedos 9 was a great buy a few years old, and would have given years of unstressed reliable service.

Lexus have just about succeeded in being perceived as a quality brand - a pity the Xedos never made it, and the Infiniti seems to lack any sort of USP.

Ahhhhhh my my how things have changed indeed!

When I was at college c.22 years ago a friend bought an old T reg one for not very much as it 'looked a bit like an american car'.

I think he had the 2.8L, and spares were a pain. We went round to a place in Cov that 'specialised in s/h Japanese car spares' and they said "toyota what ? Crown ? Never seen one them mate...can we have a look at it.."

Seem to dimly recall he got API to supply an engine for it.

Old oil cans and filler were used to reconstruct the rusty wings.

But that new Crown looks good. I still see them when I am travelling and there is a taxi-variant that is used in Japan. I think imports of the Crown stopped in 1983-ish.

Yes, how things have changed....

Stu

Yes I remember it. Great luxury car by Toyota and I have this in my neighbourhood. New one has changed totally but I really like the old model.