The Toyota Crown is a line of full-size luxury sedans by Toyota. The range was primarily available in Japan and some other Asian countries, although it was also sold in the United States during the late 1950s and up until 1971. Exports to Europe began in 1964 with the first cars going to Finland. Other European countries which saw imports of the Crown included the Netherlands and Belgium. The United Kingdom was another market until the early 1980s. It was also exported to Canada for a few years - 1965-68. In many markets the Crown was very expensive and was replaced by the Cressida when that model became available for export in the early 1980s.
Australia was another important export market for the Crown - to the extent that it was manufactured there from the mid 1960s until the late 1980s using many local components.
Most models of the car are distinguishable by a front 'Crown' badge, but the common Toyota badge is usually used on the rear.
In Japan, its principal competitors are Nissan's Gloria and Cedric lines, the Nissan Fuga and the Honda Legend.
[] History
[edit] First (RS Model-S30 Model: 1955 to 1962)
The first model was first launched in 1955 and was exported to the United States. Initially, a 1.5 L engine was standard, but later models were available with a 1.9 L engine.
[] Second (S40 Model: 1962 to 1967)
1962 Toyota Crown
Launched in 1962, this model introduced the Custom and Master Line models. A bigger and better car than the one it replaced it initially had four-cylinder engines before the introduction of the "M" six-cylinder engine in 1965. Deluxe and Super Deluxe models were available with added features.
The longer, wider and more upmarket Crown Eight was introduced in 1964, powered by a 2.6 L V8 engine. However, it had a different model designation, VG10, and was replaced in 1967 by the first Century.
[] Third (S50 Model: 1967 to 1971)
Launched in 1967, the engines were much the same as the previous generation, but additional equipment was included. Higher specification export models used the 2.3 litre 2M engine. This series saw the first 2-door hardtop. In export markets it also spawned common station wagon, rare pickup, and very rare double cab pick-up models.
[] Fourth (S60 & S70 Models: 1971 to 1974)
Launched in 1971, the 4M 2600 engine was introduced with this generation, as was the luxurious Super Saloon trim level. Electronic fuel injection became available on both the new 4M engine as well as the 2 litre M which continued.
The Sedan and Wagon are coded MS60/MS65 and MS62/MS63. The Hardtop Coupe is MS70 (2.0 liter), or MS75 (2.6 liter). This generation was the first Crown marketed as Toyota in Japan, as previous models were Toyopet. Also, in Japan, this model was known as the "whale" or "kujira" Crown. Domestic market Hardtop has rectangular headlights, all export models come with twin round headlights. This is the last Crown sold in the USA.
[] Fifth (S80 & S100 Models: 1974 to 1979)
Launched in 1974 in Japan, export began from 1975. Offered as 4 door Sedan, 2 door Hardtop Coupe, 4 door Hardtop Sedan, Wagon, and Van. Engines are 2.0 and 2.6 liter gasoline, or 2.2 liter diesel. Trim levels are Standard, Deluxe, Super Saloon, and Royal Saloon. Minor change was given in 1978.
[] Sixth (S110 Model: 1979 to 1983)
Launched in 1979, this model had the engine upgraded to the 2.6 L to 2.8 L 5M-EU model. The 2 litre M was still on offer along with a turbo charged version - the M-TEU. In this series the model designation referred to the engine size - MS110 (2 litre), MS111 (2.6 litre), MS112 (2.8 litre). Early models have twin rectangular headlights, facelift models come with bigger monoblock headlights. Domestic market Royal Saloons use the large rectangular headlights. Lower grades Van and Taxi adopt round headlights. Royal Saloon features longer bumpers. The first Crown Turbo was launched in October 1980 for Japanese market only. This generation is the last for 2 door Hardtop Coupe.
[] Seventh (S120 Model: 1983 to 1987)
Launched in 1983. The model used 5M-GE 2800 cm³ double overhead cam (DOHC), 1G-GE 2000 cm³ DOHC, M-TE 2000 cm³ single overhead cam (SOHC) Turbo, M-E 2000cc SOHC, 2L-TE 2400 cm³ SOHC Turbo Diesel or 2L 2400 cm³ SOHC Diesel engines. Base versions use the new 2 litre 1G-E engine which replaced the old 2 litre version of the M series. The 'van' version of the station wagon (the GS126V as well as the GS136V in the following series) used its own unique variant of this motor (the 1G-EJ).
[] Eighth (S130 Model: 1987 to 1991)
Launched in 1987. Body style: Sedan, Hardtop, and Wagon, included the commercial Van. The model used 7M-GE 3000 cm³ DOHC, 1G-GZE 2000 cm³ DOHC Super Charger, 1G-E 2000 cm³ DOHC, 2L-THE 2400 cm³ SOHC Turbo Diesel Hi Power (AT Use), 2L-TE 2400 cm³ SOHC Turbo Diesel (MT Use) or 2L 2400 cm³ SOHC Diesel engines. The 4.0 liter 1UZ-FE, the same engine as in Lexus LS400, was only for Royal Saloon G.
[] Ninth (S130 Facelift and S140 Models: 1991 to 1995)
The Crown Hardtop and all-new Crown Majesta models were built on the 140-series platform. The rebodied Crown Sedan and Wagon still carried S130 model codes, although the exterior is rounder, and the nose is similar to S140 Hardtop.
Trim levels for Sedan are Standard, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Super Saloon, Royal Saloon, and Royal Saloon G. Engine choices were 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 liter gasoline, and 2.4 liter diesel. The 4.0 liter was offered for Royal Saloon G and Majesta.
The Standard Sedan for Taxi and base model Wagon feature round headlights and chrome bumpers. The taxi is powered by 2.4 liter diesel engine matched to 4 speed column-mounted manual transmission.
[] Tenth (S150 Model: 1995~1999)
The 150-series Crown were built as Sedan and Hardtop (frameless door window) only. This was the first Crown to not use separate chassis consrtuction. The Wagon retained the old (130 series) model until 1999. Trim levels for Hardtop are Royal Extra, Royal Saloon, Royal Saloon G, and the sporty Royal Touring. 4WD is offered for Royal Extra and Royal Saloon. Engine is either 2.5, 3.0 liter 6 cylinder, or 4.0 liter V8.
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