Nailing down the Crown history in the US

[ToyotaReference]

Hey guys, I am having some trouble nailing down the history of the Toyota Crown in the US. I am finding conflicting information and holes that I cannot fill. Maybe you can help.

1st-Gen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The first Crown seems to have been the RS30 model. Production began in 1955 with the R engine (1.5L) and then later offered with the 3R engine (1.9L). Stepho's site does not show the RS30, but says that the RS22 sedan and RS26 sedan were imported to the US starting in 1959 and ended sometime in the 60s. Other sources claim that the Crown did not hit US soil until the 1957 model year. Wikipedia states that the first generation Crown ended in 1962.
- What years were the Crown imported?
- What was the chassis code(s)?
- What years were each engine offered?

2nd-Gen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From 62-67 the 40-series was produced, according to Wikipedia. Stepho's site has no information for US-spec cars. I need any information I can get.
- Was the 40-series imported to the US at all?

3rd-Gen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Looks like the third-gen was only imported to the states from 1968-1970. There was an MS53 wagon and an MS55 sedan, both with the 2M engine (2.3L). Stepho's site shows production through January of 71... wondering how that affects the model year sales in the US. Was the 1971 Crown a 50-series or a 60-series? Was there overlap?
- If this car was produced through Jan of 71, how could the 4th-gen be a 71 model year?

4th-Gen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The fourth generation was from 71-74, and came in three models: sedan (MS65), wagon (MS63) and hardtop (MS75). Only 30 hardtops were imported in 1971. All cars came with the 2.6L 4M engine. Stepho's site shows production ending in 1972.
- Is the chassis code of the wagon MS63 or MS70?
- Did prodution really end in 72? Where did the last two years of inventory come from?

[Carlyn Dinkler]

From Toyota 'frame charts' mainly for the USA/Canadian market 1964 thru 1975 (6401=1964,January), but I would not assume that all these LHD Crowns went just to the USA/Canada:

The serial number is the first produced in the month

model yr/mo serial to yr/mo serial
RS41 6401 46465 to 6512 121414 sedan, 3R
RS46 6401 45510 to 6512 G12031 at 99,999 started at G10001 in 6507

MS41 6601 15530 to 6612 50926
MS46 6601 10010 to 6612 18315
MS45 6611 10508 to 6707 18006
MS47 6611 10146 to 6708 14187

MS53 6712 100088 to 7012 114980 station wagon, 2M
MS55 6709 100002 to 7012 159131 sedan, 2M

MS63 7102 000001 to 7209 004238 station wagon, 4M
MS65 7102 000001 to 7209 017480 sedan, 4M
MS75 7102 000001 to 7209 004487 hardtop, 4M

I sent Stepho copies of the frame charts and he is adding the information as he has time & space to do so.

If someone has frame charts that show the starting serial number for each month of production for each vehicle in the RT4#/5# series produced for the world market outside the USA/Canada, I would really appreciate a copy.

[ToyotaReference]

Hmmm... there are currently two Toyota Crowns on eBay, both claim to be 1971. One is a MS55 and the other is a MS65. Grrr... this is just making things MORE confusing!

MS55 production stopped in December of 1970. In todays vehicle lifespan that would mean that at some were sold as 71s. But production on the MS65 began almost immediately in 1971, so it seems they would have sold as 1971s also. Were there two styles of the Crown sold in the US as 1971 models or were the 1970 models sold until inventory was exhausted AT THE SAME time that the new models were sitting on the showroom floor?

Also, was the MS4# series sold in the US at all? I was born in 1976 and since these cars are so rare I just don't know if I have ever seen one. One of my forum members found a photo of a 66 Crown on MySpace, but I am guessing from the mirror location that it was not a US-spec car to begine with:
i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/boomster/toyota-crown-1966-1.jpg

[ToyotaReference]

OK, regarding the two 71s on eBay. The MS55 was produced in 12/70 and the MS65 was produced in 3/71. I still don't know if both are considered 71s or not, but at least they were produced in appropriate years.

[edselsouth1]

As an owner of a 1971 Crown MS75 2 dr. hardtop, I've found very little information on these cars available here in the USA. I've owned mine for a bit over 20 years, and am starting to do a restoration/refurbishment. I've not seen another in this country, howeverI'm sure there are others here. Only saw one for sale on eBay some years ago, from N.C. I believe, and it was sold to someone doing a restoration for a museum.? Anyone know of this car?

[edselsouth1]

Will VIN #s give a clue as to production dates (month and year) of the Crown cars? Would those with Crown cars be interested in starting a registry to help determine when cars were imported to this country, with an eye toward determining the break point for model year production, and the number of each model imported? Vin #s, coupled with the production month on the door jamb decal can help to clarify these items. A listing of the locations and/or owners of existing cars, along with a listing (location and condition)of salvage/parts cars available, and known last locations of already salvaged cars would be a help in locating parts, as well as determining the approximate # of Crown cars of all body styles imported to the USA. (We have done about this same thing on my Edsel list, and have a greater body of information available to all of the list members, as well as those who might have an interest in owning and/or restoring a particular car). Thoughts?

[Carlyn Dinkler]

From the VIN or frame number on the early Toyotas, and a 'frame chart', you can tell what month and year the car was produced. On vehicles, starting in about 1969. the tag was added with this information, and maybe the name of the factory that made the car (like Motomachi Plant), at the rear of the driver's door jam. I listed the information for the Crowns on a yearly basis in the post that I did July 27th to save typing.

On later vehicles with the long VIN code, about 17 charters, your dealer can pull up a lot of information on their computer.

I specialize in parts for the 1965-70 Corona RT43/52 (99% of my time), the 1969-72 Corona Mark II RT6#/7#, and the 1970-73 Corona RT8#/9#. Carlyn Dinkler [e-mail]

[toyotageek]

edselsouth1 said:

Will VIN #s give a clue as to production dates (month and year) of the Crown cars? Would those with Crown cars be interested in starting a registry to help determine when cars were imported to this country, with an eye toward determining the break point for model year production, and the number of each model imported? Vin #s, coupled with the production month on the door jamb decal can help to clarify these items. A listing of the locations and/or owners of existing cars, along with a listing (location and condition)of salvage/parts cars available, and known last locations of already salvaged cars would be a help in locating parts, as well as determining the approximate # of Crown cars of all body styles imported to the USA. (We have done about this same thing on my Edsel list, and have a greater body of information available to all of the list members, as well as those who might have an interest in owning and/or restoring a particular car). Thoughts?

Terrific idea! To get you started, I'll do some digging & get you some info on some Crown owners. I'd actually like to see this done for the various models and have the (abreviated) registeries posted here on the Forum.

[edselsouth1]

To date, I have only seen two other Crowns in the north Alabama area. Both were wagons, and appeared to be late 60s, or early 70s.? They were located in salvage yards, and have been disposed of some years ago. The sightings were in the late 80s and early90s. As far as literature, posters, banners, dealership signs, sales brochures, etc., if anyone knows of long established Toyota dealers, there is a possibility that some literature, etc. may be in a storage room at a dealership. I've found such items at dealerships for both my Edsel, and my Yugos. Even though the Crowns were sold over 30 years ago, some items might be hidden away. Check your dealerships!! Ask your friends and neighbors!!! Some people won't buy anything but a Toyota, and keep every scrap of paper. Any item , including registrations, will help to establish a registry and database for our Crowns.

[gaijinshogun]

As a big fan of these cars since the day I was born ;D(I came home from the hospital in my Dad's Japanese spec '62 Crown), I can shed some light on it's brief U.S. history in the U.S., from 1957 (Toyota's arrival in the Continental U.S.) to 1972 from the top of my head. In the past there have been various articles published on the history of Toyota in the major automotive magazines, but I note that there were some inconsistencies amongst them.

The first Crown sold in the U.S. was the 1958 model year as clearly documented in the following Toyota USA brochure:
www.socapsrcchapter.org/files/TOYUSAMusBroch.pdf#search=%22toyopet%20crown%201958%22.

This car did not have any success in the U.S. and was discontinued from the U.S. market after a couple of years. The next two generations of Crowns, the MS40 series and the MS50 series, seemed to have the greatest marketing efforts and sales in the U.S. indicated by the cars I have observed for sale in the past 25 years and the U.S. Sales literature available. You will note, these are the models that you will see most often for sale on the Internet. The MS60 series was introduced to the U.S. market during 1971 and discontinued in 1972. However, cars titled as 1971 Crowns can be from either the MS50 or MS60 series.

By the time the MS60 series was introduced to the U.S., Toyota was no longer seriously interested in selling the Crown here. This car is usually missing in the U.S. Toyota line brochures of the period. Apparently, Toyota USA did not offer the car to journalists at the time to conduct road tests. One unique fact regarding the MS60 series is that it was the only Crown sold in the U.S. as a Sedan (MS65), Wagon (MS63), and Hardtop 2-door (MS75).

I can only speculate the Crown was terminated in the U.S. market due to the following:
1. Lack of sales
2. Introduction on an upmarket and up sized Corona MK II also utilizing the 4M six. The Corona Mk II had already an established U.S. following
3. High price relative to the competition
4. The upcoming U.S. bumper requirements would require a major redesign
5. Overall marketing consolidation of models in the U.S. The Japanese market had room for small model variations which would be confusing in the U.S. market. Another example of this is the termination of the Carina model for the U.S.

In the US, the Crown doesn't have much of a history except for being the first car they sold here. Even during the years it was offered, we only received a single mid-line trim level. At the same time in Japan, there were pickup truck versions (El Camino style), sport versions with twin carburetors, and luxurious ones with power windows and rear air conditioners.

In Japan the Crown model has always been an important staple for Toyota. Today the Crown is offered in many different variations from a Taxi model (Crown Comfort) to a Lexus like V8 model (Crown Majesta).

Hope my rambling helps....

[edselsouth1]

gaijinshogun....... Thanks for your input on the Crown history, and other lines as well. Speaking of Carina, I have one as well, though modified. A military friend gave it to me in about 1980, as it had a bad engine and transmission. To look at it, it is nothing but a Carina, bone stock. However, it is powered by a 1966 Plymouth 383-4v Commando engine, backed by the Torqueflite tranny. After twisting the driveshaft, and twisting an axle, it now has a narrowed 1966 Plymouth rear end. A lot of fun car!!! 100% street legal also!. The Crown remains stock, with a good bit of restoration needed. If anyone on the board has any information( no matter how minor it may seem) to contribute to the Crown discussion, it will be appreciated. Scans of documents, window stickers, sales brochures, etc. are welcome. Thanks, David.

[gaijinshogun]

David, are you aware there is a great Crown site from down under with a wealth of information, articles and pictures?

groups.msn.com/classicrown

English language Crown sales brochures and manuals are readily available in on Ebay for little money, especially from the UK and Australia. Also check autolit.com

If you really want to see a bunch of Crowns at one time in the U.S., your best bet is the Japanese Classic car show being held at the end of this month:

www.japaneseclassiccarshow.com/

If you peruse through the gallery from last year, you will see at least 8 Crowns, including the two from the Toyota USA Museum.

[toyotageek]

Generous Thanks to gaijinshogun for hopefully helping to clarify some of the Crown history in the USA.

[edselsouth1]

Thanks for the site listings. I belong to the classicrown group, and check that regularly. I have a friend who has just recently moved from here to Australia, however, I haven't been able to contact her through e-mail yet. Hopefully we can obtain further information on the Crowns from that source, and maybe get some parts from "down under".

[ToyotaReference]

This has been really helpful. At the very least I confirmed my suspicion about Crowns sold in 1971 being 50- and 60-series.

I'm going to post this on the Crown site, too, but I am in need of a high-resolution side-profile image of an MS65, MS55 and S30 Crown in order to create lineart. If you have access to one of these vehicles and you have a decent digital camera please contact me directly at [e-mail]

Thanks!

[ToyotaReference]

edselsouth1, can you email me? There is a Crown owner that is trying to make contact with you and they want your email address. [e-mail]

[ToyotaReference]

gaijinshogun,

You say that the first Crown (S30?) was imported only for a few years. Does anyone know the last year it was imported to the US? I have 1962 listed on my page, but that seems like more than a "few" years. That would be eight, in fact. Is that correct?

This site doesn't send email notifications when a topic has been updated, it would be nice if someone could shoot me an email when a reply has been made: [e-mail]

[edselsouth1]

Anyone here have a need for MS75 parts? I may decide to part my 1971 MS75, as it's probably beyond repairing at this point...a lot of rust issues. A complete car at this time. Thanks, David