Third generation Corollas went through a bit of a makeover, with a raised center section in the grill that led to an angular body. Five third generation models were made available. The first was the basic 2 door sedan with a 1.2-liter engine. Then there was a 4 door sedan, a 2 door hardtop, the sporty SR5 hardtop, and a 5 door station wagon, all with the 1.6-liter engine. Due to raised emission standards, catalytic converters were added to all Corollas starting in 1975. To cap off the third generation, Toyota added a 3 door hatchback called the Liftback to the lineup in 1976.
Calling all JDM fans...why not wet your whistle with the consignment gracing our Hallowed Halls from the land of Mr. Roboto. A 1978 Toyota Corolla sedan sporting a non verifiable 26,295 miles on the odometer. Wearing a new interior, fresh Chrome Yellow paint, snappy polished wheels and JDM mirrors, this car will look right at home at any Midnight Club less than legal racing events.
Note: Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area
Exterior Finished in a fresh coating of Chrome Yellow, this unique little car can perhaps best be described as compact by the standard of the day, as the cars from States were being downsized but were still large and in charge. What better place to start than the front and although the flat front creates an abrupt end and the square bodywork sculpted around round headlights is akin to the styling of the day, save for the chin spoiler leading the way. The rear bodylines present with more squared off styling. On the way back, a true boot, and the blacked out bumper hovering below the tail lights have a sporty, if not aggressive presentation. Sexy JDM fender mounted mirrors replicate what one would see on the streets of Tokyo and C-pillar vents provide a distinctive design cue, and the ultra dark tinted windows add to the allure and mystique. Four lug 15-inch Weld DragLite wheels have staggered size tires and are accentuated by the black bolt on flares. Imperfections include lighter paint spray on the very bottoms of the panels, a few bubbles, paint drips, chips, and various areas of body filler.
Interior Simple black vinyl door panels have embossings for a little pizazz, and the black motif continues onto the door release, window cranks and armrests. Newly covered front bucket seats greet our posteriors upon entrance and we simply melt into the smooth black vinyl bolsters and diamond stitched inserts. The rear bench shows in the original black vinyl upholstery, smoothly bolstered and with knitted vinyl inserts and is in nice shape with molded plastic side panels, ashtrays included. A faux wood rimmed 3 spoke steering wheel has the Toyota logo on the horn button and this sporty wheel fronts a basic 2 pod gauge cluster which contains only a speedometer, temperature and fuel gauges. To the left we note warning lights and to the right, in a small pod is an aftermarket tachometer. Dash central contains an AM/FM/CD radio, vents, and some switches, along with the heater slides. All of this is based in a textured plastic dash that is as no frills as it gets. Riding the hump is a yellow knobbed shifter and flooding the floors is new black loop style carpet in fine fashion and a worn white foam headliner is above. The trunk is finished in a mix of black paint and matting and is surprisingly roomy considering the size of the car.
Drivetrain Under the hood is a diminutive but clean 1.6 liter inline 4 cylinder Hemi engine rated at 75 horsepower. It sips fuel through a 2-barrel carburetor and power is sent to the 4.10 geared rear axle via a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine bay has a power booster for disc brakes in the front and the drums in the back. This car may not have much in terms of options, but it does have power brakes!
Undercarriage Impressively clean underneath where basic transportation configuration is efficiently constructed. Not much surface rust to speak of but there are a few spots of oil including on the rear diff, and some residual oil on the pan. We note various flooring repairs that have been performed and a few areas of invasive rust in the unibody along with a slight crush to the one front unibody rail, possibly from errant jacking. A single exhaust makes a beeline for the back and encounters a stainless steel muffler before exiting stage left of the rear bumper. We note the absence of a catalytic converter. For suspension, the car has an independent arrangement up front with Macpherson struts and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability Between the power brakes and the stout suspension, this is a tossable little sedan with great visibility and a banality that is appealing after driving complex, computerized modern stuff. The mini Hemi fired up and into first gear we went, piloting this JDM around our test loop, rowing the gears and finding the sweet spot amongst the 75 horses. It's not a bad ride at all and the limited functionality did not disappoint with the exception of the reverse lights not lighting and some notable exhaust leaks. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
These cars used to be everywhere in the good old U.S. of A and why not, they were efficient, sporty, affordable and reliable. Many have succumbed to the rigors of daily use, less than skilled teenage drivers, and the dreaded tin worm. While our example isn't perfect, it's a great way to get into the collector car hobby without having to sacrifice your retirement and you'll look good doing it. Swing by our ever changing mall halls and have a look for yourself...domo arigato, Mr. Roboto!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
