We held off talking about this car because we heard that some JNCers were considering bidding on this baby. But now the auction is over and if its description is correct, this is one of the earliest examples of any Toyota — or any Japanese car, period — to exist in the US. It’s a 1958 Toyopet Crown used by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco to demonstrate their home country’s top-of-the-line auto. After putting just 28,698 miles on the car, the consulate signed over to the title to the current seller in 1964 and it has sat in a garage since. This is truly an amazing piece of Japanese automotive history, and the selling price of $22,322 definitely reflects that. Let’s hope that the owner will restore it to the rightful condition it deserves.
Thanks for the tip, Toyotageek.
Image: eBay
Judging by his bid history, it seems that this person’s a car collector/toyota enthusiast. Looks like the Crown found a good home =)
that is a great peice of toyota histury right there. hope it gets restored!
I’ve learned the car will be going to a good home. More info if the buyer approves….
Oooh, let’s hope s/he does.
great peice of history that
Frenchy
I am happy that this car is in fact going to a good home. The gentleman who bought the car called me the next day and we discuss the future of the Toyopet. They are looking to clean the car and detailing it and do the mechanical needed. We also talked about having the engine shipped to my home for me to rebuild it and having it look better than new.
Thanks
Frenchy
Being a collector of old toyota’s, I was bidding on this vehicle, and was very disappointed when the combination of a computer glitch, and time worked against me, to ensure I did not end up with this unique vehicle. I, like the room, wish that the new owner will show this vehicle the respect it deserves. In the event that this owner is reading this, and finds the effort of restoring this vehicle back to it’s true, unique state with original parts to difficult, I would definatley be interested in talking and discussing the possibility of buying from him or her – thank you and good luck
Hi Patrick,
What other Toyotas do you have in your collection? You might want to sign up with the Toyopet Crown Registry, as I’m sure some of its members know the new owner of this Crown. Details at http://www.toyotageek.com
I am currently in possession of a 1986 Toyota GTS Corolla, 1974 Toyota Corolla, 1978 Toyota Celica, and a 1988 Toyota Supra with 40,000 km’s, and some other vehicles which are a combination of parts cars and fixer uppers and I am working deals on a 1971 Toyota Corolla, 1968 Corolla, I have a 1991 Lexus LS400 (6th sold in Canada). Thank you I will look into this
I sold this car for a friend on ebay. I can tell you it’s going to a U.S museum. They are coming to get the car this Thursday. If they approve I will advise where it’s going. Hopefully they have Frenchy help out on this. It truly is a piece of toyota import history.
Got word to o.k. the destination of the toyopet. I am proud to say it is going to the http://tupeloautomuseum.com purchased by http://www.cdfms.org/ the car was picked up today and in route to AZ to Frenchy who will be rebuilding the motor and helping in the restoration. They plan to do a full restoration of the car and have it done within a year. Check the above to links next week for the press release.
Thanks, Robert. Can’t wait to see the press release! We will definitely be following the story of this car.
Frenchy here I am very happy to be doing the restoration of the engine / transmission on this very unique piece of history. Please visit the Toyopet Crown group as Mike had mentioned above on his reply as I will be posting starting today the engine rebuilding for everyone to see the progress. The car arrived on Friday afternoon and we waited until 9:30 PM to start tearing down the front of the car because we had 106 degrees here in Tempe . At 2:30 AM the engine was out. Saturday morning we pushed the car back in the trailer for the long journey to Mississippi , So please visit the Toyopet Group to see the progress of the engine.
Thank You to everyone
Frenchy
anybody know about a 1971 toyota going by the toyomatic name?
Do you mean Toyoglide? That was the name of the automatic transmission. You are probably thinking of the Crown.