This 1979 Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe popped up on eBay over the weekend with a $4,250 asking price and several days left on the auction clock. Then, faster you can say “Kidney, Anyone?” it was gone.
The auction was likely ended early because someone in Internet-land glommed on to what is one of the cleanest TE51s we’ve ever seen. The lucky new owner likely worked something out with the seller in return for not having to compete with other bidders. Either that, or the seller got cold feet.
The Sport Coupe was Toyota’s term for the body style that would become the AE86 two generations hence. In Japan a TE51 would have been equipped with a twin-cam 2T-G and a Levin badge, but here in emissions-strict America it bore a 2T-C and SR5 emblem.
Despite that designation many US-spec examples were actually equipped with automatics, so this already rare bird is made even rarer with an original T50 5-speed transmission.
Those who know me also know that my love for rare Toyotas is equalled only by my love for green cars. The auction had me scrambling through my storage shed for things I could unload for cold hard cash, but clearly it was not meant to be. Hopefully the car will go to a good home and perhaps the new owner will pop up here on JNC.
What follows is probably the largest gallery we’ve ever had, but it proves just how clean this car is.
Amazing, this one I would keep bone stock.
I was looking at this tooooooo! haha it had 10 bids when i checked it out
What was the bid up to when you saw it?
If i remember correctly somewhere around the 1,600 area. The buy now was set to 4250, I guess someone just skipped the bidding and pulled the trigger haha
That is simply gorgeous. The color scheme is very close to my Rabbit’s and it looks absolutely lovely. If I were a millionaire it would be in my garage.
TE51 Corollas are awesome, I especially love how agressive the headlights look on the front end.
That, and also those 4-spoke wheels.
I had a 79 SR5 Liftback with a 5 speed that looked similar to this one. Mine was silver and not as clean. I traded a Mongoose mountain bike for it in ’04. Had it for 5 years. Man, I miss that car.
I was surprised to see the trunk on this one – I’d forgotten about the Sport Coupe, it seems the Liftback was much more popular.
that was a piece of art that 1979 corolla sr5 sport coupe,
im looking for 1979 sr5 coupe if anyone out there has one wants to sell
sen me a email
I have a 1978 sports coupe Sr5
One blue KE50 is 4 sale in Poland
http://imageshack.us/f/376/96670634xj0.jpg/
worked at a toyota dealer 1977-80 saw maybe 3 new one s 1977-79 we sold more liftbacks and sedans the 3kc was not avl. in califorina , seats have been redone . still a rare car wish id had bought a stock pile of new parts. grilles , emblems , turn sig lens etc to restore one
i have one. it is not in the best shape though
I have a 1978 Toyota corolla sports coupe sr5 I’m trying to sell its white with blue interior all everything that has to do with the car is original. Only has 118,000 miles
I think I can do nearly as good. I have a JDM, RHD ’78 with the 2TGEU, LSD, 5 speed with only 18,000 miles on it. Mine is midnight blue but same exact body style Everything is perfect and bone stock. Bought it in japan 5 years ago and it has been driven 300 miles since.
Are you in U.S. ? Are you selling it?
Mines a 79. Found in in somebodys backyard here in Central Texas.