When it comes to automotive esthetics, a case could be made that there are three kinds of cars: some are beautiful all around, some are ugly through and through (looking at you, ‘70s Nissans), and some just have that one angle that works. As far as I’m concerned, the 2nd generation (1972-76) Toyota Mark II hardtop coupé lies squarely in that last category. And the angle that works is the ¾ rear.
When I saw it coming down the road, this Mark II’s face struck me as needlessly finicky and tortured. Never mind the wrong (‘80s Celica?) wheels, the whole car was a bit weird. This was my first IRL encounter with one of these, as far as I can remember, so not a great first impression.
Ah, but then, a moment later, things changed. That was quite the good-looking derriere! Fortunately, the car slowed down and parked a few meters down the street – a closer look was warranted.
Yeah, really not a fan. Some unconventional ‘70s Japanese designs really work for me (e.g. the S60 Kujira Crown, the Honda Z360 or even the Nissan Cedric/Gloria 330), but this early model Mark II GSS is just not one of them. It looks like it’s wearing a big fake grin, and I don’t see why it should be so happy about anything.
Ok, to be fair, the profile is a bit better than the front end, but still a tad derivative. About the car, briefly: the X20 GSS was the sporty one of the bunch, featuring a 145hp 2-litre DOHC 4-cyl. engine – Toyota’s main Skyline-fighter. Other Mark II variants included a saloon and a wagon (X10), as well as the previous generation’s pickup, which lingered on for a couple of years.
The obligatory mid-life facelift did not really help, far from it. The nose got a bit more prominent (by 55mm, due to changes in the engine’s exhaust system, apparently) and dressed with a body-coloured trim piece / grey plastic louvres combo. The tail didn’t change much. But the picture of the saloon shows that, well-designed and taut though it may have been on the coupé, it was pretty horrid on the four-door, which looked like a melted and overgrown Morris Marina.
I guess that early model grille was a bit less offensive, by comparison. To add further insult to injury, the JDM Mark II was distributed by the Toyopet network, and was thus badged as such. That name, which was only eliminated from the cars in the ‘80s, is another (Toyo)pet peeve of mine – pointless and silly.
That name is unfortunately present on the rear end, which is the only real blemish of this picture. Incidentally, peeve number two, WikiPedia claims that the “Corona” name was dropped from the Mark II from this generation and was only used, if at all, on sales literature. That’s clearly not the case here. Incorrect info on Wiki? Now there’s your shocker.
Related posts:
Car Show Classic: Supra-powered 1973 Toyota Corona Mark II Coupe, by David Saunders
Curbside Classic: 1974 Toyota Corona Mark II (X10) – Moving Up, or Down?, by PN
The front end doesn’t bother me all that much, the facelift actually looks a bit better. What I find dumpy and unattractive is the side profile. Something about it is slightly too short.
As to the Morris Marina comment, thanks, now I’ll never unsee it.
I think they’re cool, would love to have one.. A friend’s girlfriend had a 69 or 70 back then. I liked it
I wonder if Wikipedia’s mention of the Corona name being dropped from the Mark II applied to US-market cars only. I know the Hilux name continued to appear on fender badges for a couple years after Toyota USA started just calling it Toyota Pickup.
Japanese-language Wikipedia says the same thing. You can never trust that site completely. But it is still very useful…
Toyota’s 2012 official online history (75 Years of Toyota) still describes the subsequent X30 as a Corona Mark II, although it was badged as a Toyota rather than a Toyopet from August 1978 (https://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60013044B/index.html). Toyota says the “Corona” name wasn’t officially dropped until the debut of the X70 in 1984 (see https://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60013049B/index.html), although it’s clear that the X30 was making a point of downplaying it that name.
Aussie 73/74 versions were badge Corona MK11.
Well, in pictures looks good to me. The front end looks BMW inspired. I would reposition the mirrors and get rid of the striping, and black out the grille.
I’d take it off your hands. The front works for me, the bumper integration is excellent as are the amber lights under it.
It falls apart a little on the side, the rear fender bulge is causing conflict with the rear side window, forcing its shape. But it all comes together at the rear again.
Then again, I’m starting to like 1970s Nissan stuff.
Jim, you may want to get that checked out by a medical professional. Liking Nissan B210’s, 610’s 710’s and F10’s has been identified as a serious condition that is often treatable with therapy.
Just trying to look out for your well being…
I’m visualizing the counterfactual – imagine if they’d kept building the 510 with the changes it’d accrue. Besides the necessary big bumpers I’m thinking a plastic grille, styled steelies instead of full covers, maybe bigger taillights and on the inside plaid cloth seat inserts…starting to like what I see…
They say similar things about lots of people that operate on a higher plane. You’ll see. 🙂
😅
Always wondered why they put the side-view mirrors on the front fenders. I just can’t imagine seeing everything very well.
Japanese regulations at the time required that the side mirrors be visible through the windshield for some reason, perhaps believing that keeping drivers’ eyes closer to the road ahead at all times was more important than giving them a better view to the rear.
Can confirm those are 80’s Celica GTS / Supra wheels.
Taking a second look, now I think the front is 71 Barracuda inspired.
Pretty cool car I was previously unaware of! I agree the rear view is dope, other angles less so. In my very casual knowledge of 60’s/70’s Japanese cars, that’s kind of my impression of most of them. They often have one really good angle, but the overall shape and execution is weighed down by some awkwardness. The non-stock wheels look rather good, especially the way the red rim stripe on 3 of 4 at least) matches the red line on the rocker panel. Is that rocker trim stock?
I was struck by a few peripheral observations in the photos. I liked that the passenger of this cool car looks to be a diminutive older lady. She’s got style! That is a lucky day when a particularly neat car spotted driving parks right away, seemingly just to allow you to take pictures. Is the street near a park? It’s a wonderful looking tree-lined boulevard. I was impressed by the number of pedestrians outdoors wearing masks. Was this shot this year? Does Tokyo still have mask mandates?
I am glad you’re back sharing these finds. Tokyo seems to be chockablock with interesting old cars intentionally kept pristine and actually getting driven and parked in public.
Thanks Jon-san. It’s good to be back!
The pics were shot earlier this year at Meiji Jingu Gaien – a gingko tree-lined avenue pretty much in the centre of the city. Go there on any Sunday and you’re bound to encounter something worth photographing. Almost everyone was still wearing masks then, but as the weather warmed, this is the first time that I’ve seen significant amounts of people going bare-faced in three years. Mask mandates are now officially dropped in most places (except hospitals), but about 70% of people still wear them. It’ll probably drop to 50% or less by the summer.
The styling is Celica one size larger with more power whats not to like.
Little would anyone knew that these grotesque “ugly ducking” looking cars would later evolved becoming the Cressida and then the last YES much larger Avalon then becoming Toyota’s top of the line car almost as large as the Lexus LS series.
I think that most of the Japanese manufacturers went through a design phase where they felt a need to make cars look “more American” in order to increase sales in the USA.
I’m glad that phase didn’t last long.
Now you’ve got me wondering…
I remember seeing these Mark IIs in Australia; they were fairly common. The sedans anyway. A compact six cylinder car with Japanese build quaity and attention to detail, sort of Toyota’s equivalent to the Holden Torana Six, and pretty much as cramped inside. Much more expensive though, as they were full imports. But I can’t remember whether they were Corona Mark II or just plain Mark II. Can’t go to Wikipedia….
I quite like the front on the one you found.
OK there was 3 facelifts not two how do I know well the blue 2 door is a 73 and the white 4 door is a 74, I had both in my driveway in Cygnet Tasmania, the primo engine was the 4m or 2M in the earlier car not the 4 banger, the 4 was a lower cost option it certainly didnt have more power than the six which was shared with the Toyota Crown, I got the 2 door free for parts the rear chassis rails are the same so its towbar fitted my car it had a set of steel rims not 4 differing wheels and Toyota used the same rocker shaft on the differing size OHC six engines the guy who had it wouldnt sell parts it was all or nothing I removed the pedal assembly and 5 speed box too but never fitted them my ex couldnt drive a manual and theoretically it was her car we also at the time had a 82 Mazda 323 RWD van and a 63 Holden Special arriving soon was a 82 Corolla work hack.
I actually like the detailing on these cars they predate the stylised bull badge and feature a correctly made bulls head logo aside from that they were bloody good cars.
Details available on request I still have two owners hand books.
That’s an interesting find Tatra87, I don’t think I’ve seen pics of the coupe version before. In profile the coupe’s C-pillar reminds me of a less heavy-handed version of the C130 Laurel ‘Butaketsu’ coupe. Not sure I see much Marina in the sedan, but I do reckon it gives off strong Mark 1 Ford Granada (UK) vibes!
I’m just back from Tokyo. I’m sure I saw this car in Fabric Town. It came out from behind a bus on Nippori Central St and I wasn’t quick enough with my phone camera. I moped about missing a picture for the rest of the day so thank you for the snaps I never managed and the write up of course!
These are good looking cars in both two and four door versions to me. I really like the late 60s and early 70s Japanese cars. Quirky and cool at the same time.