CC reader Dave B. sent me these two shots of “a neat little hot rod. Any idea what it is?” Yes, it’s a Corolla, from about 1976-77 or so (E30/50). But there’s several things that are unlike the typical old Corolla beater here in Eugene. Starting with the bumpers; these are not US-grade 5-mile bumpers. Nor is the exhaust. But the mystery is only starting.
Yowza! That’s quite the hood scoop. The delicate front bumper and the steering wheel on the right side confirm that this is almost certainly originally a JDM car. But was the hood scoop added there or here?
I was intrigued by the lettering on its side stripe. A crop reveals it to say “Boss 302”. Ok. I’m not too convinced there’s actually a Boss 302 engine under the hood, as that would both have run afoul of the Japanese testing authorities and almost certainly there would be more tell-tales from the outside of such an engine swap. It’s sitting in a normal stance, doesn’t have very big wheels and tires, and there’s that single exhaust in the back.
My guess is it’s a classic case of wishful thinking, having a little fun with the idea of a Boss 302 under the hood. But I could be wrong.
Well, whatever engine it has, I like how the owner thinks.
Just another fascinating Eugene-mobile. What I found most interesing was the true hardtop styling with real rolldown quarter windows that only seem to go partially down. It’s like an old-school holdover when a hardtop had operational quarter windows, regardless of whether they would roll all the way down or not.
The other, less noteworthy thing was the location of the license plate lights in the bumper. They really stick out like a sore thumb.
Overall, it’s a shame the owner had to muck-up an otherwise very nice seventies Corolla fastback with JC Whitney-style accessories, as well done as they otherwise be.
The rear windows do fully retract on the E30 hardtop:
Weird how the owner only partially lowered them on both sides equally.
But, then, the pro-stock hood scoop and “Boss 302” decals are pretty weird, too (well done as they might be).
Perhaps the owner has learned that this position of the rear windows minimizes the buffeting that can occur at speed in some cars with the rear windows rolled down?
There were dogs in the back seat.
Lose the scoop and stripes, and I’d be happy to drive it.
My wife had one of these, a 1975 model, when I first met her. It was also brown with a white vinyl interior, 5-speed manual, and a/c (she had purchased it in Charleston, SC). It would turn out to be the only true hardtop during our shared lives
I like it. There’s a certain vague resemblance to a 1972ish Mustang that got left in the dryer too long.
They’re pretty, these, but not a pleasant drive. Typical ’70’s Japanese dynamics of poor damping, bouncy ride, guesswork steering, and, in most parts of the world, just 1.3 litres nearly overwhelmed by its duties. When young and more foldable, I once did a 3 hour trip in the back seat, which is not recommended, other than by under-employed chiropractors.
I reckon it’s a real hot-rod. The stance seems high at the back, and the back wheels are almost certainly sitting on a narrowed axle – they’re really wide, but within the guards.
I had one of these while in college in the late 70’s. It had a 1.6 liter with a 4 speed and noisy as hell above 50 MPH. Five hour drive between home and school; therefore, only went home during breaks or holidays. Jet black vinyl interior, hot as hell during the summer. However, got me thru and sold it for more than what I paid for it after 5 years of ownership.
That would be a fast little car if it actually had a Boss 302 engine, especially from a 69 Boss 302. Mine would stay even with a R/T 440 Coronet from a 35mph tromp. The pic is before a total resto on her. 😎
It is a 1975, I owned a US version SR5 with factory flares etc. The taillights were specific to 2975. Still Loved that car, and it still looks good, even though the SR5 trim and grill is much better
Hey there, I’m the actual owner it’s a ke 35 from Australia and yes it has a 302 Windsor engine with 302 Cleveland heads making it a boss engine, has a c4 transmission and a narrowed 4 pinion diff from s Holden commodore and the striped were original from Toyota because this was a sports pack with the original engine being a twin carb unit Happy to answer any questions.john