1974 Toyota Crown supersaloon from North America - Comments

Rear wheel bearings went at 58,000 miles... same with hand brake cable from under dash...,starter motor..., and front disc pad..., pinion bearing and seal...,front solid rotors and seals. Front seats began showing wear at 58,000 miles, but have been replaced with better seats from Crown 112. All the above at 58,000 miles.

Car is much faster off the line because the head received 5 angle valve job... port work to open up head..., forged pistons with C/r of 11:1 Carburetor was re jetted to deliver more fuel, MSD/AL6 with 60,000 volt ignition coil, electric fuel pump, 8.5 mm coil wires...,uprated alternator... uprated oil pump..., 2.5" exhaust system, stiffer springs giving car a firmer ride with adjustable shocks...100% sound proof... car yet have 8 track with am/fm/short wave radio,...12 cd changer with twin amplifier... one for front speakers and the other for rear speakers... uprated head lamp bulbs as opposed to seal beam.

I think this car has done many more kilometers than is indicated.

"Car is much faster off the line because the head received 5 angle valve job... port work to open up head..., forged pistons with C/r of 11:1 Carburetor was re jetted to deliver more fuel, MSD/AL6 with 60,000 volt ignition coil, electric fuel pump, 8.5 mm coil wires...,uprated alternator... uprated oil pump..., 2.5" exhaust system, stiffer springs giving car a firmer ride with adjustable shocks...100% sound proof... car yet have 8 track with am/fm/short wave radio,...12 cd changer with twin amplifier... one for front speakers and the other for rear speakers... uprated head lamp bulbs as opposed to seal beam."

- All that was very, very expensive! I don't know why anyone would put so much money into a 1974 hooptie!

I agree with the previous comment... why put ANY money into what may arguably be called one of the homeliest cars ever built. Even with your enhancements I doubt you could get more than a grand for this turkey!

I think the previous two comments are a just a bit harsh. While an older Crown is not an outstanding collectors' vehicle, it certainly is not something you see often these days. Most of these solid vehicles were faithfully run till their end. It would be nice to see at least a few of them fixed up and preserved.

As an owner of Japanese cars I have to say the engines have long lives. I have a 1988 Corolla which we keep for our two sons to use when home from college. It's body is showing signs of rust from Ohio's salted winter roads, but as long as sits it fires up after a few turns on the starter motor. I remember the Toyota crowns from the 60's and 70's before I left Australia. I always liked their looks and knew from friends how well they held up. They were a nice alternative to the domestic G. M Holdens and Ford Falcons. The Crowns build quality and refined engineering made them cost effective for long term ownership. Putting money into an older one is the owners option. People sink more money into restorations of other vehicles that are never driven on a daily basis. In this case a Crown being used daily is the best of both worlds, and it gives the owner something different from the run of the mill automotive crowd. Plenty of restored older Holden and Fords out there so why not a Japanese car?...

I think some of the above comments are a bit harsh. I bought a 1974 MS65 Crown, 2.6 Litre, 4 sd manual at the age of 23. It was a little underpowered for it's weight but it was a very solid & comfortable car to drive. Strong too due to it's separate chassis. Unfortunately it was written off by a Datsun driver who hit me in the rear at 50KM/Hr. He wore his engine on his lap after the crash & I drove the car home with the boot in the rear seat & a sore back! I had just been down to the bank to pay my final payment on it too. The chap who hit me survived OK & his insurance Co. paid me a couple of hundred dollars more that I paid for it! I tried to find another Crown in the same condition but could not & ended up with a 200B wagon.

I will not forget my beloved MS65 Crown, it may have saved me from a fate worse than death. I loved the curvy shape & those front lights wrapped around the front guard. Classic.