A mythical Toyota AA or "just" Chrysler Airflow?

Nitzer

A guy from Russia claims he bought a genuine Toyota AA (or what has remained of it).

Pls follow the link below to see pictures he presented to prove himself
http://forums.drom.ru/1079576831-post250.html

To me it looks much like Airflow, but the lucky brand-new owner claims it is a REAL AA (just to remind you: even Toyota Museum doesn't have a real AA specimen, they had to make a replicar for their exhibition).

What're your bets on this case?[/b]

matt · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:20 am Post subject:

i bet it's an airflow
here's toyota's aa:

SharmCos · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 391 Location: Malaysia

Said car:

Airflow.. split screen.. did it came with single screen?

Toyotamike · Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 142 Location: Tacoma, WA

Looks more like the AA based on the first picture.

KurumaOtaku · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 202 Location: Yes, it's a state.

...but the grill looks like Chrysler.
the lines of hood of the Russian car wraps around like a half-circle while the AA hood has a bump in the middle for the front fascia/grill.
I forgot to circle the location of the windshield wipers.
It really looks like an AA body, but with parts from other cars (like Chrysler) that was fitted on.

blackhole · Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Posts: 23 Location: ICELAND

sure looks like the toyota AA

as often done in russia to keep things on the road, this car has under gone some major changes.
split windscreen
hood and grill
and many other things. probably has a russian motor as well.

Nitzer · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject:

true, the car is reported having been heavily rebuilt using so many alien details. It was also converted to LHD

Finally, it even has BMW documents!

but the fact is, AFAIK none of the AA survived until today.

the owner posted more pictures today:
http://forums.drom.ru/1079692953-post289.html

could it be the only real AA, even with so many changes?

blackhole · Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Posts: 23 Location: ICELAND

i think this car could be of some value if sold right away to some toyota collector either to be restored as possible or as the remains of the last original AA

matt · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

SharmCos · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 391 Location: Malaysia

Lukas · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 121 Location: Austria

Send the pics via Email to Toyota, I bet they will pay a lot of money for this car! This HAS to be in the Museum, doenst matter if restored or not.

kingtoy · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Lake Worth, TX

I carefully studied the pictures and comparing them to both the Toyota AA and the Chrysler Airflow. I think this car very well might be a Toyota AA. I know modifing them is common practice in Russia to fix them or keep them on the road. The most compelling evidence are the three accent pieces on the sides of the front fenders. They seem to be identical to the AA's. Also, the hood on the car in question wraps over to the top of the fender. The Airflow hood stops well short of meeting the fender. To get this effect from a Airflow would take restructering the whole front end, and I think a simple modify or repair wouldn't go so far.

I am really excited, this might be the true lone survivor.
_________________
Jeff "Kingtoy" Brown
King of Toyotas
Sophisticated Toys - Toyota club

87 mild custom MX73 Cressida
85 AW11 MR2
81 TE75 Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe modified
73 TE27 Corolla
71 RN12 Hilux

toyotageek · Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 725 Location: internet, USA

I sincerely doubt it might be a Toyota, although there is a very small possibility (maybe a greater chance for it to be the Model AC). Just Google Chrysler Airlow or Desoto Airflow and you will see a whole bunch of countless possibilities - from what I've seen there are endless variations. This car seems to have bits and pieces that are common to many of those cars.

See: How to identify an Airflow

How about asking the Airflow guys what they think? - Airflow Club

I say the verdict is out until more photos and or measurements can be taken.
_________________
Michael - Collector of Toyotamobilia ~ www.toyotageek.com
Tomica Fan Club ~ www.tomicafanclub.com

cheese · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:34 am Post subject:

wow
i hope its real

Lukas · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 121 Location: Austria

American cars in Russia, especially in the earlier days, were almost not possible, so I doubt it´s a Chrysler or some other US-car.

Russia has a long tradition in importing used cars from Japan, so it´s more than possible this car got imported from Japan many years ago. The possibiliy of being a Toyota AA is very high!