We’ve had some superb recent posts on the Toyota Crown, which hit me as strangely coincidental as I sit and watch the current Netflix series “The Crown.” CC effect I assume. That series continues to be extremely popular and is now entering its third season. The program focuses on the life of Queen Elizabeth II, from 1947 until the present – over sixty years. I guess you could say I’ve had a somewhat similar experience with royalty, though mine didn’t involve the Windsors, only covered some thirty-five years, and came with four doors…
I’ve owned three generations of Toyota’s Crown – which other than the limited production Century, and the recent Lexus LS series, has always sat atop Toyota’s JDM model hierarchy. The recent articles on the Crown addressed its history, so let me just offer some commentary on these three I’ve owned. Unfortunately I don’t have any original pictures but did find several on the net that were very similar.
Crown MS 60 – Exactly like one I owned
MS 60 – Call Me Captain Ahab…
In 1981, with two years in the Air Force, I was assigned to Japan. I had recently purchased a 1981 Olds Cutlass Supreme with – wait for it – the 350 diesel. I could only ship it to Japan on my dime, and after checking on what would be required to get it registered (meet all Japan emissions and safety standards, etc.), decided it would be better to put it into storage. So I arrived needing wheels.
I looked at the Lemon Lot on base and at several used car dealers off-base. I quickly discovered that, at that time, JDM models had much shorter seat tracks – understandable given the then median height in Japan. It was difficult finding something I could fit my 6’6″ frame into. Finally after a week, I saw a curious looking vehicle at an off-base lot run by a retired GI – it loomed large against the background of smaller Corollas. Celicas, and Sunnies.
It was a 1974 Toyota Crown Super Saloon – model code MS 60. In Japan, these MS 60’s were nicknamed “Kujira” which is Japanese for “whale”. The picture above may help explain how it got that name. This one had about 60K kilometers on the clock, no rust, good tires, nice paint, perfect interior, and two years of Japan Compulsory Insurance (JCI). The 2.0 carburetored M-series inline six purred smoothly. Price – $500. It was at this time that I realized that the guy back at my previous base that told me “everything in Japan is expensive” must have only rode a bike. The Crown served me well for three years, only needing oil changes and a battery.
Why did I sell it? Well, I had the opportunity to buy a bright red 1976 Mazda Cosmo with the 13B rotary engine. I had never owned a rotary before, so…sold the Crown to a buddy for $300. I got my money’s worth…
Final Thought: Typical Toyota – comfortable, cheap to own, and absolutely reliable. Throw in quirky styling and it was a real winner.
Ranking (Of three I’ve owned): #2
MS 85 – Exactly like one I owned
MS 85 – The Snoozy Saloon…
After a few more cars, to include a beloved 1978 Nissan Fairlady Z, I received an assignment to Korea and knew taking the firm-riding, two-seat Z would probably be a bad idea. An older guy on base was selling his 1978 Crown Royal Saloon – model code MS 85.
It was very similar to my previous one – with exception that the M-series six was now bumped up to 2.6 litres and was fuel injected. It also had a more modern, much nicer interior compared to the ’74. Price – $800. I shipped it to Korea and for a year it floated down the gravel and pot-holed, poor Korean streets – a Queen among a sea of first gen Hyundai Ponies. Just as importantly, as there were no Toyota dealers, and even few general mechanics, it never gave me a hint of trouble.
Why’d I sell it? My next assignment was to Hawaii and even though it’s somewhat easier today, back then it would have cost a fortune to try to federalize and get registered. Sold it to another GI for $600. Got my money’s worth…
Final Thought: Another very comfortable, dead reliable Toyota. But the exterior styling of this one was rather bland – so I had more respect for it than passion.
Ranking: #3
S 140 – Exactly like one I owned
S 140 – The Royal Rocket…
In 2003 I returned to Japan, with a larger family and the need for two cars. One was easy – we had a Toyota Previa van in the states and wouldn’t think of buying anything else. While at an off-base lot looking at a first gen Previa (Estima), I noticed a nice looking older Crown nearby. It was a 1992 Royal Saloon – model code S 140. Though it was eleven years old, the body and interior looked brand new and it only had 40K on the odometer. It also had the big 3.0 2JZ-GE DOHC normally aspirated straight six engine. After a little negotiating, we left the lot with both a car and a van for $7000.
The other Crowns were all very well built, but I could sense the Lexus DNA in this one as soon as I stepped in and drove off – understandable given it shared the same platform as the Lexus GS 300 (called the Toyota Aristo in the home market). It was smooth, impeccably put together, and powerful. The advertised specs on this year’s Crown with the 2JZ-GE was 220 hp and 210 ft lbs of torque. My seat of the pants meter said it made more than that. That engine had power and torque all through the rev range – and it was turbine smooth. I can understand why the twin-turbo versions are so highly regarded.
Why’d I sell it? Well, after three years, I saw a very nice 2002 Toyota Mark II with the 2.5 1JZ-FSE direct-injection engine. Sold the Crown to another GI for $2000. Got my…well, you know…
Final Thought: Smooth and fast – wish I’d kept it…
Ranking: #1
2019 Toyota Crown
So, is my time with Japanese royalty over? Maybe not. For the past eight years I’ve owned a Volvo C30. It’s entertaining to drive – rowing through the gears and hearing that unique five cylinder snarl – and I love the seats. But I have to admit, the new 2019 Crown looks pretty enticing. And I still occasionally peruse the used car websites for a clean, low-mileage S 140.
Related Posts:
Curbside Classic: 2002 Toyota Crown Comfort Super Deluxe G – Time For A Change
CC Capsule: Toyota Crown – Japanese Import Royalty
Curbside Classic: 1962-67 S40 Toyota Crown – The Generation Gap
Curbside Classic: 1980 Toyota Crown Super Saloon (S110) Hardtop Sedan – Forecourt Queen
Automotive History: Toyota S60/S70 Crown – Thunderwhale
CC Capsule: 1989 Toyota Crown (S 130) Super Deluxe – Conservatism On Four Wheels
In-Motion Classic: 1976 Toyota Crown (S80) Super Saloon – My Kingdom For A Crown
The JDM cars must have had different engines to the export cars the MS60 had the 2.6 4M engines in Aussie and NZ also shared with the MK2 Corona, those Crowns were still quite common in Tassie in 03 before I left the neighbours son had one and he was regularly gutting wrecks around the area for rear ends they dont cope with burnouts very well apparently, his car was on axle stands often having diff heads and axles swapped I offered him the W55 gearbox I had for a manual conversion for my MK2 Corona but he insisted his four speed was stronger Ive go me doubts the 5 speed boxes are very tough but he didnt want it so all good,, the later 5M out here got bored to 2.8 litres and gained fuel injection and go very well.
Camry also means “crown”. Corolla means “crowning portion of a flower”.
Lotta crowns goin on at Toyoter.
Corona, Tiara…..
You spun a good yarn, Jim!
I never knew anyone with those types of auto experiences. Very interesting, indeed! These were remarkable rides.
I was lucky enough to test drive a white Crown coupe in the early ’90’s. It was at a used car lot on the El Camino in SSF. I should have bought it.
Great to hear an owner’s perspective on these cars. With the relatively low amount you paid for them, these Toyotas seem to have all be worthwhile purchases. The MS60 is one of my favorite Japanese cars of all time.
Your experience with the MS85 Crown in Korea is interesting too — I know that Japanese cars have very low market penetration in Korea (and vice versa), but it’s still surprising to hear that there were no nearby Toyota dealers.
Thanks for sharing this — and I have a feeling that there will be another Crown in your future…
Great story of all your purchases and sales. Mostly worked out very well.
That photo of the MS 60 looked like a brother (or sister) to the 73 Satellite. Grille bars closely resembling each other, quad round headlights, even the bumper guards.
6’6 sounds like it would be hard to fit into just any old car.
As soon as I saw the Kujira, I knew this had to be the first post I’d read this morning. Yours looks spectacularly optioned, and the top trim level. As well as an appealing (to me) shape, this one’s just dripping with fine detailing – grille texture, wheels, C-pillar vent. And it even looks good with the rub strip along the side, not something I’d thought would suit a Kujira.
Toyota lost the plot on styling with the MS85. Somehow, on the street, it came out looking narrower and taller; not an asset.
Thanks for writing this, I remember talking about your cars when we met, this is super though and helps fill it all in for me. It’s great to see someone venture toward and stay with the larger format Japanese cars in Japan, there really us no shortage of them even though everyone mostly thinks of tiny cars when they think of Japan traffic. You must have a large driveway space to house such royalty!
How very regal of you to regale us with these tasty tidbits of JDM regalia. You have had some great cars (and an Olds Diesel, but we’ll keep that under our hat) during your reign.
The Kujira is my personal favourite, as I’ve stated here before. Major kudos for having owned one. I find the S80 saloon to be more interesting than you give it credit for, but it would have been a bit of a let-down after the Whale, of course. Must do a write-up of the S140 — they are still around, though not too common.
The more recent Crown generations appear less special to me though. On styling alone, they have been afflicted with the common Toyota / Lexus angry face bug that’s been going around for most of the current decade. I’d call it the Toyota Frown.
Thank you for the Crown jewels, Lord Jim!
Great call on the angry face. We’ve had a number of late model grey import Crowns pop up on Melbourne’s streets showing that exact mien.
Toyota Frown. I love it.
I’ve always admired the MS60 Whale Crown. They were once very common in Australia. I’m 99% certain the examples sold here were locally assembled as I only ever saw one with electric windows, tinted windows, metallic paint and C pillar interior reading lamps.
The rest has cheap looking interiors with black vinyl that deteriorated prematurely, betraying their local origins and with our the immaculate finish one would expect from something fully imported from Japan. Many of them had that ghastly mustard (or was it vomit) paint colour. The AMI (Australian Motor Industries) badge on the front guard was the mark of (mis) distinction.
I also loved the MS60 wagon, with its unique rear styling and have only seen one in Sydney about 30 years ago, obviously a private import.
It is not surprising that the conservatism of Toyota Australia saw the blocking of the importation of the MS60 wagon, where as the previous and following generations were available here as a wagon.
The MS85 was very boring by comparison but at least there was a wagon (I can’t remember if it had twin rear wipers like the Datsun 260/280C).
I like the S140 and it looks like a lot of car for the money when buying used. This would be another import for my neck of the woods and I don’t think I’ve seen one around.
I’ve never driven or ridden on a 60 or 85. My only encounter with Royalty to date was a long distance taxi trip in a MS50 Crown in 1977 halfway across Greece. I was impressed with its refinement.
Another thank you here for the Royal Tour!
Thanks for this royal tour. Given your height, I can well see the attraction.
I’ve only every set foot into an S50, which were not that uncommon here. It was a curious mixture of Japanese and American sensations.
MS85: ‘Another very comfortable, dead reliable Toyota. But the exterior styling of this one was rather bland – so I had more respect for it than passion.’
I was looking for a kujira when I found my 80-series 1975 Crown. Your above sentiment exactly mirrors my feelings towards it. It was over 30 years old when I bought it – one country owner and the engine was still completely silent and vibrationless at traffic lights. Wallowed like a barge but.
Even though the salacious-sounding headline was not supported by the article, I enjoyed it nonetheless (the latter sentence sounding like it could be a quote from what I expected to read, but I’m digressing).
Our parish priest had a series of these when I was little, and unlike you lot, I was very glad when he moved on to the MS85 from the whale, which to me looked like Hell might (and now just looks like hell). I mean, half a loop bumper for a broad, manic grin, and AN OPENING UNIBROW above? Shudders. Put me off sin. For a bit.
Without being a showy contrarian, I always rather liked the MS85. It had a certain seriousness that a pricey and relatively rare car should. I liked in all of them the old-Mercedes-esque growly sound, complete with tickety tappets and a hint of blue smoke.
I’m sure the latest is a fine car, but I agree with Old Pete, it’s all a bit angry-faced for a Crown, and me.