If you were a child of the 80s, you might remember a time when E30 Corollas were just about everywhere. Today, they’re mostly gone, and don’t even get as much love amongst collectors as TE27s and other Corollas. That is why we should honor the top-spec models today, March 7. Happy TE37 Day from JNC!
I’ve always wondered what Toyota USA would look like today if they had brought in all those wonderful early twin cam sporty models back in the day. I suspect they would not me wearing the mantle of “Japanese Buick” that they do in this country now.
The issue with the twin cam 2T-G and 18R-G motors was the price. This is when imports were regarded as little more than cheap transportation, since Volkswsgen was the number 1 import at the time.
Along with early smog controls the difference between an 88 hp 2T-C and a likely North American 2T-G at about 95 hp was not worth the expense.
I owned a blue TE37 corolla. Great little car.
Back then, I had wished my dad got a 1975 Corolla SR5 (TE37) over the 1974 SR5 (TE27) I ended up with.
Better styling, smoother flares with no screw holes, hardtop design, triple gauges (!), better radio…