The 1980s were certainly an age for the compact hatchback. Not that I know for sure when the concept peaked in sales and execution, but it was certainly the era when they seemed most common. So much so, that it’s hard to track by memory how many were out there. After all, just about every car maker offered one; be it by their own design, or by farming the task out.
That said, here’s one that didn’t reach the US; the Toyota Starlet’s third generation. Be it that Toyota already had enough small hatchbacks on its lineup (the Tercel and the Corolla FX), or that they wanted to leave the low-cost hatchback segment to Daihatsu (At the time a Toyota partner, entering the US with their Charade), the model never reached US shores.
So, if you enjoy your hatchbacks tiny, you missed out on this Starlet. But not to worry, here’s one to enjoy in virtual form, found near my home in San Salvador.
As told previously at CC, the earlier ’78-’84 Starlet was a bit of an oddity when it showed up stateside in 1980. While compacts and subcompacts the world over were jumping into the FWD club, Toyota stuck to the traditional RWD layout with that earlier Starlet. In hindsight, quite in norm with the company’s cautious form of progress.
That said, by 1984 the company’s products were transitioning fully into the FWD world. So for 1985, the Starlet showed up, finally with front-wheel drive and a traverse engine layout; which as expected allowed for better passenger accommodations while retaining similar exterior dimensions to the outgoing model.
The car’s styling was clean, aerodynamic, and in keeping with Japanese 1980s origami feel. While simple in general terms, it still had a face that faithfully kept a family resemblance. Talking about which, today’s finds belong to the ’85-’86 years, before a mild facelift appeared in ’87.
While not reaching the US, the Starlet remained a staple just about everywhere the model had made its presence known. Most got the 3-door and 5-door versions, while some got an additional “Van” (commercial duty) option.
As usual, a plethora of choices were available in its native nation: About 14 trim lines, across the various body options. And in perfect 1980s spirit, hot Turbo versions topped the line.
Those “exotic-sounding” turbos would remain Japan-bound, understandably. Elsewhere, the Starlet remained as a product aimed at low-cost buyers who wished for Toyota reliability; sensible small vehicles that offered 1980s modernity in efficient packaging. And in 5-door form, even an option to consider for young families with small kids. Of course, the idea was the usual: Win them over when young, and have them climb up the Toyota ladder. Can I interest you on a Corolla wagon later?
Turbos aside, the cars weren’t mechanically mundane. Interiors and materials felt very 1980s modern, and under the hood, new 12-valve inline fours replaced the old K-series engines. Electronic fuel injection completed the package; all very 1980s modern.
As for the mills displacements, they came in 1.0L and 1.3L choices, with some markets getting 1.5L diesels. Shifting, for most, was through Toyota’s known 4 and 5-speed setups. 3 and 4-speed automatics were also available, though I suspect mostly offered in its native Japan.
As I’ve said in previous posts, Toyotas and Datsuns of this era have a devoted following in Latin America. Easier to maintain than more modern machinery, and thus easier to keep on the roads. And from the 1980s and on, modern enough to work rather seamlessly with today’s traffic; both in performance and accomodations.
However, oftentimes that devotion is somewhat misguided, as it’s in the case of this 5-door Starlet. How many plasticky add-ons can a 1980s Japanese car in this region get? Never enough! Seems to be the answer. (Yeap, that logo on the hatch is from a later date, plus those TRD mudflaps… Really?)
And should you care to know, this 5-door was found in Apaneca, a town in the western end of El Salvador about which I spoke about in detail some time ago.
Our 3-door also gets a lot of love and devotion, in a more modest and normal manner. Here it’s recently washed by its owner (See that blue object on the roof? It’s a liquid soap bottle, left there momentarily), who tends to keep it spotless. Meanwhile, modest repairs can be seen when up close (notice the straps holding the grille in the opening shot of this post). But all in the spirit to keep the car running.
So, resources may be limited, and sometimes misguided. But these Starlets are still mostly all there and with such attention, limited or otherwise, seem destined to take their 1980s hatchback ways well into the next decade.
Related CC reading:
CC Capsule: 1978 Toyota Starlet – What’s In A Face?
Curbside Classic: 1981 Toyota Starlet – The Last Of The Littlest RWD Toyotas
I have this in Europa in blue with 5 Doors , 1,0 Engine with 54 PS. In Europa jou can become the Starlet too with 1,3 Engine with 73 PS or the Diesel Engine. The Starlet included always 5 Shift or 3 Shift Automatik. I loved this Car but must byed away for small Price when I must go to Military. A Neighbour Woman drived a Starlet with Automatik for 17 Jears and then She go too a Biger Corolla.
A stock standard Starlet would be quite a find here, The last one I saw had a very healthy turbo rotary in it and a long way from road legal, They arent really rare but as granny grocery getters extremely hard to find Grannies moved on to more modern cars long ago.
Ford heavily touted the Escort as their world car at the time. When the Starlet equally deserved the honour in marketing, as a truly definitive world car. The Starlet’s outstanding mileage, reputation for durability, fit and finish, and reliability, made it an perfect car for people living on a budget, in many markets. An ideal car for many millions.
Along with the Tercel, Corolla, and Toyota Pickups, the Starlet elevated Toyota’s early ’80’s reputation, for producing top quality cars. As each of the domestic US carmakers, were struggling at their own crossroads. It was a very positive time for Toyota. And the Starlet shared a big role, in that success.
Cute, appealing cars. I never really saw the rear wheel drive, as a significant liability. Given all the various strengths of the design.
I totally love fun little runabouts, the Plymouth Champ (and Dodge’s version?) Mitsubishis had a great appeal for me back in the early ’80s, though fwd. A friend owned a turquoise metallic Champ and it was truly fun to buzz around in, but I just never felt safe in it and with 3 kids a considerably larger family car was mandatory: full-size wagon or sedan, we had both. A 40+ each way commute in one of these would have saved us a lot of fuel, but… and with all the ridiculous bro-dozers and semis clogging the highways I sure wouldn’t feel safe in one now! The early Starlet was super cute, but only 1600 lbs? even little cars are 1000 lbs heavier these days. Anyhow thanks for showcasing these cute little buggers!
You’ve raised a good point here. There are a whole variety of good economical older small cars , perfect for driving around town or going off the beaten track in the countryside but on a duel carriageway or motorway you would be taking your life in you hands. We’ve got a Celica for these kind of journeys, it’s small but agile enough to swerve the Bro-dozers. We thought about a Citroen 2CV at one point but I don’t want my head to be a grill ornament on a Ford Raptor.
Deux Chevaux are so cool, though, it might almost be worth it! When we were in France in ’76 they were all over the place… not anymore 🙁
Since the last models we received here were Rwd, if there are any survivors it is certain that the drifters got their hands on them with a ae86 4age engine squeezed in front.
After all ,generalized rust makes it easy to get anything into it.
In 1982, I was trying to relocate from the northeast to my current location in the sunbelt. My parents had also just moved there (though I’d since started my first job after college and lived in another state). I had an interview in a nearby city, and my Mother arranged a rental car for me, which ended up being my only car rented in the US that had a manual transmission, it was the previous generation Starlet. Probably was the least expensive rental, it suited me just fine (I ended up getting the job). I liked the Starlet, but preferred my car at the time, a 1978 Scirocco. I had the Scirocco shipped in the same van that contained all my possessions at that time, which included many textbooks (still had them as a recent graduate) and including everything the weight was around 4000 lbs.
I’d previously worked for Hertz as a transporter, so I got to drive many rental cars, but none had anything but an automatic. Not sure how my Mom managed to secure a manual for me but it stands out from all the other cars I’ve rented since.
My brother had a ’78 Scirocco, if his was typical a Starlet would have been a whole lot more reliable AND durable, but not nearly as much fun to drive.