The first Corolla had been a success for Toyota and with the formula in place, its successor only grew in the marketplace. Both in Japan and abroad. And as it had become an automotive custom, the Corolla’s template had a range of variants; from sedate to (modest) fun. An idea that remained around when the E20 second generation arrived in 1970, with the Corolla showing up again in sedan and coupe forms (and a wagon too).
It wasn’t necessarily a novel concept. After all, doing variations with the same tune is an old tradition; in the automotive world and otherwise. Take the intended volume seller sedan body, and do a neat spin around the design’s idea. Add a sportier swoopier profile, a hotter mill, and a retuned suspension. Nothing new to the concept, but always a welcomed one. Particularly back then.
And while the original specs of the E20 coupe sound modest today, it all depends on how it all felt behind the wheel. From all evidence, a good number of buyers enjoyed the reworked/remixed Corolla, and the sporty coupe would remain on Toyota’s roster for years. Some even achieving rather legendary status (I’m talking about you, Mr. AE86).
I’m told not many of these E20 Corollas survive elsewhere, mostly due to the tin worm. For today’s find, it’s once again a survivor found in San Salvador, the land of old Japanese metal. (A title probably shared with some Southeast Asian nations too).
As I’ve told before, Toyota had as prodigious a rise in Central America as it did just about anywhere else. First, an obscure carmaker gaining a few devotees thanks to Land Cruisers and Stouts. Then in about a decade or so, becoming the best-selling brand thanks to local buyers quickly embracing the T40 Corona. By the mid-70s, Coronas and Corollas were the most common vehicles on Central American streets. And these jaunty E20 Corolla coupes were an awfully common fixture back in the day.
Today’s find is a 1971, with a Toyota 1.2L 3K engine under its hood. And as far as I understand, the version of the coupe most sold here along with the Deluxe trim. Depending on the state of tune, on the coupe, the 1.2L could offer from 67 to 73 hp. The latter, pretty lively at the time for a vehicle that weighed just about 1,600 lbs.
In other markets, a 1.4L T engine was added in 1970. And if you lived in the US, a far lustier 1.6L with hemi heads appeared in 1971.
Suspension was MacPhersons up front, aided by a new anti-roll bar (on the coupe). At the rear, it was the usual live axle with leaf springs. Now, why this old one has been raised a bit is beyond my understanding, but it does make those leaf springs all the more easy to see.
As it had become a Toyota custom early on, the Corolla offered much for the money in its segment in regards to options and amenities. The interior of today’s find (found later in a FB marketplace ad) doesn’t show much of this Corolla’s original splendor. But at least the car’s manual can be seen, which is either a 4 or a 5 speed.
So here’s what that instrument panel was supposed to look like, at least in JDM form. Pretty nice for an economy package. And that Monte Carlo-looking yet Rolls-Royce-inspired fake wood dashboard does play the “low-cost upscale product” role quite nicely.
As far as the US is concerned, most reviewers found much to like about the Corolla’s sporty package, particularly when paired with the 1.6L engine. Handling, as usual, was found below the feel of the Europeans. But otherwise, the whole offering was felt to be above others in its segment. A sentiment plenty of buyers shared.
Of course, we now reach the subjective matter of styling. Which at the time, for the Japanese (and Toyota), was quite a mélange of themes. The E20s were pleasantly styled, but if the first generation had an italianette flair, the second one stuck to that flavoring, though with a hearty sprinkling of 1960s Coke-bottle styling.
Now, I couldn’t exactly tell you why these dissolved long ago to rust elsewhere while resisting far longer over here. Not that they were exempt from the ailing, as this second barely surviving coupe shows.
Okay, on second thought, I know our lax transit laws have a great deal to do with the survival of these to this day. In “roadworthy” form, even.
On the coupe front, these came in four states of trim: Deluxe, SL, SR and the JDM-only Levin. Once again, this coupe is an SL trim. (And don’t mind the annoying screws on the badge, added on by local drivers to keep them from being stolen).
Since we’re talking E20 Corollas, let’s add a few 4-door sedans found in recent days. Shall we? Here’s this gray matte one from last week, that seems to belong to a fan of JDM rides…
… an assumption easy to make, as can be seen.
No sharp eyes are necessary to see that this is a “working” Corolla; just check out those wood planks on the roof. However, I see no protection beneath them. Is that a positive trait of matte finish treatments?
Here is the last one, found at the local Walmart (Tourist tip: Do you wish to get away from American culture? San Salvador is not the place if that’s the case).
This E20 Corolla sedan wears the somewhat fierce fascias that were to become a norm with Japanese offerings throughout the early ’70s. And mind you, those faces are telling; the cars may have been tiny, even cute, but their intentions were dead serious.
Toyota did much right with this generation of Corollas, with the model quickly climbing to second-best selling worldwide. However, even in San Salvador these once numerous vehicles have finally become scarce.
But as can be seen, the survivors have a devoted following and are kept around; regardless of their modest resources. And no matter if the cars are sedans or coupes, owners love to add their touches and create their own Corolla mixes according to their needs.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: Toyota Corolla – 1971 Small Car Comparison #3
Vintage R&T Review: 1971 Corolla 1600 – The Fun Hemi-Powered Toyota
I rather like these Corollas. The basic shape is quite attractive, even if the grille and taillight surrounds are wildly over-ornate – in typical period Japanese style. Rather like the later Mazda RX3 in profile; I hadn’t seen the similarity before.
That wheel/tyre fitment on the first one is a very Japanese-style mod, and probably illegal in most places. I’m also not a fan of having the entire grille and bumper done in black. That interior looks great though, I remember a friend’s Mark 1 Cortina reupholstered in a similar style many years ago.
Strangely Australia never got these as a four door sedan, so naturally the Datsun 120Y trampled all over these sales-wise. Then Toyota went all conservative with the next generation – lost my interest but won the sales race.
“So here’s what that instrument panel was supposed to look like, at least in JDM form. Pretty nice for an economy package.”
That’s the upgraded instrument panel offered on models with the 1600 Hemi and 5 speed transmissions. Lower trim models used a dash with fewer gauges (no tach), no wood trim, and no shifter console.
Not that the base dash was awful, but it did lack some of the niceties pictured.
Interesting survivor .
I’ll never ken the idea of putting too narrow tires on steel rims ~ I have seem them come un done in hard corners or from hitting pot holes, the result is never good and often deadly .
Keep these oldies coming please ! .
-Nate
Back in the day I used to see a small number of the 4 door versions of this model here in Australia. I assume they were private imports but I don’t know whether the fours were officially imported or assembled in small numbers. Same story the wagons. Most were 3 door but I have seen 5 doors too.
Someone told me that Toyota Oz assembled the 2 door sedan Corona RT1XX that was never sold here for for some Pacific Island markets, for example Fiji, so anything is possible.
Not a Corolla expert but back at that time, any Toyota with a SL trim had (with very few exceptions) a tachometer, a bit more extra equipment, avs in most cases, a bit more power. The SR was a bit warmer in regard to sporting trim but was similar to the SL regarding power output and thrn of couse the GTs which were the twin cams.
In regard to this model Corolla, I’m fairly certain the JDM market had a SL 1200 coupe with twin carbs, a tacho but a black dash without the fake wood grain, as well as a 1400 SL.
Great selection. That two-door body loves stretch tyres.